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One of the most common retirement questions is: How much money do I actually need to retire? For federal employees, the answer is different than for most people because your retirement income usually comes from multiple sources—not just savings. To estimate your own retirement income: https://fersfree.com The Wrong Way to Think About Retirement Many people […]
Read article →At some point in retirement, the IRS requires you to start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. For federal employees, this includes your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). These withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). To model your retirement income: https://fersfree.com What Are RMDs? RMDs are the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from […]
Read article →Many veterans who become federal employees ask the same question: Can I receive both military retirement and a FERS pension? The answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no—it depends on your situation. Understanding how these systems interact is critical before making decisions like military buyback or retirement timing. To model your full retirement income: https://fersfree.com The […]
Read article →Planning federal retirement can feel overwhelming because it involves multiple moving parts: FERS pension TSP savings Social Security VA disability Healthcare (FEHB/Medicare) FERSFree is designed to bring all of these together into one system so you can make informed decisions. Use the tool here: https://fersfree.com Step 1: Enter Your Profile Information Start by entering your […]
Read article →One of the biggest fears in retirement planning is: What happens if I run out of money? For federal employees, this risk looks different than it does for most people because you have multiple income sources—not just savings. To model your retirement income: https://fersfree.com The Short Answer If your TSP runs out: Your FERS pension […]
Read article →Sequence of returns risk is one of the most important—and least understood—risks in retirement. It is not just about average returns. It is about when those returns happen, especially in the early years of retirement. To test your retirement scenarios: https://fersfree.com What Is Sequence of Returns Risk? Sequence of returns risk refers to the danger […]
Read article →Transitioning from military service into a federal civilian career is one of the most powerful long-term financial moves you can make. But it also creates one of the most complex retirement systems to navigate. You now have to understand how multiple systems work together: Military service FERS pension TSP VA disability Social Security To model […]
Read article →Early retirement isn’t just a Silicon Valley dream—it’s absolutely achievable within federal service if you understand how to leverage your benefits correctly. The key is not guessing, but strategically aligning your pension, TSP, and supplemental income streams. This guide breaks it down without fluff. Understanding Your Foundation Federal employees have one of the most powerful […]
Read article →If you’re a federal employee, you already have a major advantage most Americans don’t: A structured retirement system that actually works. Yet many federal employees still retire later than necessary—not because they have to, but because they don’t fully understand how to use what they already have. This isn’t about extreme FIRE or quitting at […]
Read article →Most federal employees don’t start thinking seriously about retirement until they’re within a few years of leaving. That’s late. Not because retirement is complicated—but because timing decisions compound over decades. The earlier you understand your system, the more options you’ll have later. This isn’t about retiring early. It’s about not backing yourself into a corner. […]
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