Federal Retirement Guides
Plain-English explanations of the rules that decide your federal retirement income — FERS and CSRS pensions, the TSP, military service credit, survivor benefits, and Social Security. Each guide is written for federal employees and reviewed against publicly available OPM, TSP, and SSA guidance. This is educational content, not individualized financial advice.
WEP and GPO Repeal: What the Social Security Fairness Act Means for Federal Retirees
The Social Security Fairness Act eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Learn what changed for CSRS retirees and public servants.
How Unused Sick Leave Increases Your FERS and CSRS Annuity
Unused sick leave is converted to extra creditable service in your pension calculation. Learn how the hours-to-months conversion works and why it does not change eligibility.
CSRS Offset Explained: How It Differs From CSRS and FERS
CSRS Offset employees pay into both CSRS and Social Security. Learn how the offset reduces your CSRS annuity at 62 and why your total income usually stays about the same.
FERS Survivor Benefit Election and FEHB in Retirement
Electing a survivor annuity reduces your pension but can preserve a spouse’s income and federal health coverage. Understand the 50% and 25% options and the FEHB link.
Military Service Deposit: Is Buying Back Your Time Worth It?
Paying a military deposit lets you credit active-duty time toward your federal pension. Learn how the deposit is calculated, the interest deadlines, and when the buy-back pays off.
TSP Withdrawal Strategies in Retirement
When you retire, how you draw down your TSP matters as much as how you saved. Compare installment payments, partial withdrawals, annuities, and rollovers — plus RMD timing.
TSP Agency Matching: How to Get the Full 5%
FERS employees can receive up to 5% in total agency contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan. Learn how the automatic 1% and matching tiers work, and the mistake that leaves money on the table.
The FERS Special Retirement Supplement Explained
The FERS Special Retirement Supplement bridges the gap between retirement and age 62 for eligible retirees. Learn who qualifies, how it is estimated, and the earnings test.
FERS MRA+10 vs Postponed Retirement: Avoiding the Age Penalty
Retiring under MRA+10 triggers a 5%-per-year age reduction — but postponing your annuity can erase it and protect FEHB. Learn how the two paths compare.
What Is the FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA)?
Your FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) ranges from 55 to 57 depending on birth year. See the full MRA chart and the age-and-service combinations that let you retire.
FERS vs CSRS: Key Differences for Federal Retirement
FERS and CSRS are the two main federal retirement systems. Compare their pension formulas, Social Security treatment, TSP matching, and who falls under each system.
FERS High-3 Salary: How It Is Calculated (With Examples)
Your FERS pension is built on your High-3 average salary. Learn exactly what counts as basic pay, how the 36-month window is chosen, and how to find your own High-3 with worked examples.
Put these concepts into practice
Each calculator applies the rules explained in these guides to your own numbers. They are free to use and require no account.
FERS Annuity Calculator
High-3 × years × multiplier, with special provisions.
CSRS Annuity Calculator
Tiered CSRS schedule, deposits, and redeposits.
Retirement Eligibility
Find the earliest date you can retire with an annuity.
TSP Projections
Project Thrift Savings Plan growth with agency matching.
Military Deposit
Estimate the buy-back cost to credit active-duty time.
Retirement Savings Gap
Compare projected income against expected expenses.