Federal Benefits Exchange Blog
Insights, guides, and strategic resources to help USPS and federal employees optimize FERS, TSP, FEGLI, and FEHB benefits.
What Is a PSR Report? Your Key to a Secure Federal Retirement
A PSR Report gives federal employees a clear picture of FERS, TSP, Social Security, FEGLI, FEHB, and survivor decisions so they can spot retirement gaps before it is too late.
The Hidden Costs of FEGLI: Why Your Life Insurance Gets More Expensive Every Five Years
FEGLI premiums can rise sharply with age, especially under Option B. Learn how FEGLI works, what happens at retirement, and when private term or permanent life insurance deserves a look.
The Social Security Bridge Trap: Why Draining Your TSP Early Is a Mistake
Learn why using your TSP to bridge income until Social Security can shrink retirement security for federal employees — and what to do instead. Covers FERS supplement rules, MRA+10 traps, and the four bridge strategies compared side by side.
Federal Survivor Benefits: Don't Leave Your Spouse Unprotected
Learn how FERS survivor benefits work, why your spouse's retirement income and FEHB/PSHB health coverage may depend on your election, and how a PSR can help.
The Tax Trap of Tapping Your TSP Too Early
Federal employees: a large TSP withdrawal can trigger higher tax brackets, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and Social Security taxation all at once. Learn the cascading tax consequences — and how to plan smarter — with Federal Benefits Exchange.
FERS Sick Leave Credit Explained: Pension Bump vs. Retirement Eligibility
Learn how unused sick leave affects your FERS pension, why it cannot make you eligible to retire sooner, and how to plan your retirement date correctly — with real-dollar examples.
Medicare Part B and FEHB: Avoid Overlapping Coverage Costs
Learn how Medicare Part B works with FEHB and PSHB, when Medicare pays first, why USPS retirees need special attention, and how to avoid overlapping retirement health costs.
State Taxes and Your Federal Annuity: Where NOT to Retire
Learn how state taxes can affect your FERS or CSRS annuity, TSP withdrawals, Social Security, and retirement budget before you relocate as a federal retiree — state-by-state breakdown with real numbers.
Inflation vs. Your Federal Pension: Protecting Your Purchasing Power in Retirement
Learn why FERS COLAs may not fully protect your retirement income from inflation and how federal employees can use TSP planning, Social Security timing, and annual PSR reviews to prepare.
The TSP-3 Form: Why Your Beneficiary Designations Trump Your Will
Your TSP-3 beneficiary form is legally binding — and it overrides your will entirely. Learn how outdated designations send money to ex-spouses, how the default order of precedence works, and when to update your federal beneficiary forms.
Retirement Tax Planning for Federal Employees: Keep More of Your Money
Most federal employees are shocked by their tax bill in retirement. Learn how your FERS annuity, TSP withdrawals, and Social Security are taxed — and the strategies that can dramatically reduce what you owe.
Foundational FERS Math & The SCD-Leave vs. SCD-Pension Trap
Federal Benefits Exchange Educational Blog Post
FERS Survivor Annuities & The Spousal FEHB Trap
Federal Benefits Exchange Educational Blog Post
The FEGLI Premium Squeeze & The Age 65 Cliff
Federal Benefits Exchange Educational Blog Post
FEHB in Retirement & The Medicare IRMAA Collision
Federal Benefits Exchange Educational Blog Post
The Traditional TSP Tax Bomb & Safe Withdrawal Rates
Federal Benefits Exchange Educational Blog Post
FERS Deferred vs. Postponed Retirement: How to Keep Your FEHB Health Insurance and Avoid the 5% Annual Pension Penalty
Leaving federal service early? Understand the critical differences between a FERS deferred vs. postponed retirement to save your FEHB health coverage and avoid the permanent 5% annual pension penalty.