Surviving the Summer Market Swing: Why July’s TSP Dip Demands Active Wealth Protection
TSP funds cooled across the board in July after a strong first half. What a mid-year dip means if you are drawing down within the next three years.
Your Money
48 posts on your money, newest first.
The New Era of Federal Layoffs: How OPM’s Final Rule on RIFs Reshapes Career Tenure
OPM has finalized a rule putting performance ratings ahead of seniority in reduction-in-force decisions. What it changes about your federal job securi
Navigating the Federal Tax Delinquency Crackdown: How the Latest IRS Probe Impacts Career Feds
A TIGTA report on tax-delinquent federal employees has triggered a House Oversight probe. What the scrutiny means for security clearances and your car
The Erosion of Independent Oversight: What the Supreme Court’s Unitary Executive Ruling Means for Federal Employees
A Supreme Court ruling on presidential removal power weakens the insulation of independent agencies. What it means for civil service protections long
The Legal Battle for Medical Telework: Analyzing the NTEU Lawsuit Against Treasury and HHS
The NTEU has sued Treasury and HHS over removing telework for employees managing serious health conditions. Where the case stands and what is at stake
The Chilling Effect: Navigating OPM’s Proposed Nondisclosure Agreements for Federal Employees
OPM wants every federal employee to sign a standardized nondisclosure agreement. What the proposal would restrict, and why unions call it a chilling e
Preparing Your Federal Career for OPM’s Proposed RIF Regulations
OPM has proposed sweeping changes to reduction-in-force rules. The practical steps to take now to protect your federal career and your benefits.
Protecting Your Financial Foundation: The Legislative Push to Secure Federal Employees’ Credit During Shutdowns
A legislative push would protect federal employees' credit during a shutdown. What the bill would cover and how to prepare for a lapse in appropriatio
The Hidden Safety and Financial Risks Within the FEHB Program
A GAO report identifies safety and financial risks inside the FEHB program. What federal employees and retirees should check in their own coverage.
Navigating Market Volatility: Strategic Responses to the March TSP Balance Drop
TSP balances fell through March after a long run of growth. How to respond to a pullback without doing the one thing that locks the loss in permanentl
Navigating the 2027 Federal Pay Freeze: What the Latest Budget Proposal Means for Your Career
The FY2027 budget proposal confirms no pay raise for federal civilian employees. What a freeze does to your high-3, and how to plan around it.
Navigating the Legal Gridlock: Why MSPB Appeals Are Stalling Despite a Quorum
The MSPB has a quorum again, yet appeals are still stalling. Why the backlog persists and what it means if you are waiting on a decision of your own.
OPM’s Unprecedented Push for Federal Health Records Sparks Widespread Opposition
OPM's push to collect federal health records is drawing opposition across the civil service. What the proposal covers and what protections still apply
Navigating Administrative Defiance: The VA Union Contract Stand-Off and Your Federal Benefits
The VA is at the center of one of the sharpest federal labor disputes in years. What the contract stand-off means for benefits and workplace support.
Legislative Limbo and Paycheck Relief: Navigating the 2026 DHS Funding Standoff
A 42-day funding lapse hit DHS before the Senate acted. What it means for back pay, your paycheck, and preparing for the next appropriations fight.
The Evolving Landscape of Civil Service Protections: Understanding the New MSPB Ruling
An MSPB ruling on the removal of two immigration judges sets a precedent. How it could reshape appeal rights across the federal civil service.
Reclaiming Stability: What the Reinstatement of USAGM Employees Means for Your Federal Career
A court ruling reinstating USAGM employees shows mass RIF notices can be reversed. What it means if your own agency is in the middle of a reorganizati
Navigating the Storm: How IRS Staffing Reductions Impact Your Tax and Retirement Strategy
A GAO report warns on the effects of IRS staffing reductions. What slower service and thinner enforcement mean for your tax and retirement strategy.
Strategic Capital Allocation: Optimizing Your TSP for the Distribution Phase
In retirement the TSP stops being a savings account and becomes monthly income. Whether to keep the money in the plan, and how to allocate it if you d
Strategic Planning for Federal Suitability and Security Clearances
A federal background check is continuous, not a one-time hurdle. How financial conduct affects suitability and your clearance, and what to keep clean.
The DHS Funding Lapse: Preparing for a Partial Paycheck and Securing Your Cash Flow
A partial shutdown at DHS began February 14, 2026 and ran into the pay period. How to prepare your cash flow for a partial paycheck and delayed back p
Lawmakers Push OPM for Universal IVF Coverage in 2026 FEHB and PSHB Plans
Two members of Congress have asked OPM to require IVF coverage across FEHB and PSHB plans. Where the request stands and what it would change if grante
House Bill Proposes Massive Increase to Federal Buyout Caps up to Six Months’ Salary
H.R. 7256 would raise the federal buyout cap to six months' salary, the first change in over 30 years. What a larger VSIP would mean for your exit mat
Grade Inflation is Over: OPM Mandates “Forced Distributions” for All Employees in 2026
SES rating caps are being extended to the whole federal workforce for the current cycle. What the end of grade inflation means for your own appraisal.
I Fund Dominance Continues: TSP Kicks Off 2026 with Global Gains
Every TSP fund posted gains in January 2026, led again by international markets. What a sustained I Fund run means for the way your money is allocated
TSP Balances Jump $20,000 as New “Tax Control” Tool Goes Live
The average TSP balance rose about $20,000 in 2025, and a new tax control tool is now live. How to use both without tripping an avoidable tax bill.
TSP Balances Jump $20,000 as New “Tax Control” Tool Goes Live
A record year lifted the average TSP balance by roughly $20,000. Why a bigger balance makes the withdrawal and tax decisions matter more, not less.
DoD Telework Audit Reveals 245% Data Gap: Why Your Locality Pay Might Be at Risk
A DoD Inspector General audit found a 245 percent gap in how remote employees are tracked and paid. Why your locality pay could be caught up in it.
FECA Reform Moves Forward: New Bill Expands Medical Access for Injured Federal Employees
A bill would widen the pool of doctors injured federal workers can see under FECA. What the reform would fix, and where it currently stands in Congres
International Equities Lead the Pack: I Fund Dominates in 2025 TSP Performance
The I Fund outpaced the C and S Funds in 2025, a third straight year of TSP stock gains. What a change in market leadership means for rebalancing.
International Equities Lead the Pack: I Fund Dominates in 2025 TSP Performance
For the third year running, TSP stock funds delivered, but 2025 belonged to the I Fund. What a sustained international run should do to your allocatio
The Billion-Dollar Loophole: Why Ineligible Dependents Are Costing You Money
An OPM Inspector General report finds ineligible family members are still covered under FEHB. What the cost is, and why it lands on your own premium.
TSP Net Outflows Signal a Critical Shift in Federal Retirement Planning
For the first time in recent memory, more money is leaving the TSP than going in. What negative cash flow says about the federal workforce right now.
The Hidden Cost of the Shutdown: Missed TSP Earnings Are Gone Forever
Back pay restores your salary after the 43-day shutdown. It does not restore the TSP earnings those missed contributions would have made, and cannot.
Shutdown Aftermath: Restoring Your Leave and Benefits
The government reopened, but leave, benefits and time-off awards disrupted by the 43-day shutdown still need untangling. What to check on your record.
Shutdown Over: Senate Bill Signed, RIFs Cancelled, but Financial Scars Remain
President Trump signed the funding package on November 12, 2025, ending the longest shutdown on record. What is restored, and what damage is permanent
Federal Employment Legal Battles – Safeguarding Your Retirement as a Federal Worker
Another federal employment case may reach the Supreme Court. How to keep your retirement plan insulated from decisions you have no control over.
Supreme Court Cases on Federal Employee Firings – What It Means for Your Retirement Security
Several employment disputes are working toward the Supreme Court at once. What the outcomes could mean for federal job security and retirement plans.
How Federal Employees Can Maximize Their Retirement Benefits in 2025
Several bills aimed at improving federal retirement benefits have been reintroduced. A good moment to reassess your own strategy rather than wait.
Understanding Changes to Disability Benefits: How the SSA’s New Rules Can Benefit You
The SSA has changed the rules for claiming disability benefits, making it easier to qualify. What changed, and who the new rules actually help.
How SSA’s New Disability Benefit Rules Impact Federal Employees’ Retirement Planning
Updated SSA disability guidelines have implications for federal employees weighing a medical exit. How the new rules interact with FERS disability.
2.7 Percent Pay Raise Called for in Key Budget Bill; End to FEHB Abortion Ban
A House subcommittee draft left the proposed 2.7 percent federal pay raise unchallenged and moved on the FEHB abortion ban. What the bill contained.
What Goes Into Your Federal Annuity and How to Boost It!
Your federal annuity is built from high-3, service time and a multiplier. What goes into each, and the levers that genuinely increase the final figure
Biden Budget: 2.7 Percent Federal Pay Raise, No Benefits Cuts.
The budget proposal set out a 2.7 percent federal pay raise and no cuts to benefits. What was in it for federal employees and for retirees.
TSP Account Balances Coming of Age.
TSP millionaires grew from 49,620 to 75,420 in a single year. What is behind the numbers, and why the milestone is less exclusive than it looks.
Set Up an IRA for a Child or Grandchild for a Head Start
There is no minimum age for an IRA. How opening one for a child or grandchild turns modest early contributions into a substantial head start.
IRS Issues Reminder on Retirement Savings Withdrawal Policies
The IRS has restated how the SECURE Act changed required minimum distributions, including for the TSP. The key points for federal retirees.
Gain Control of Your Money in These Uncertain Times!
Is your TSP in the right funds to protect your retirement? What to review when markets are volatile, and how a no-cost benefit review works.