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Many federal employees ask: “What will my retirement actually look like?” Not in theory—but in real numbers. This example breaks down a realistic GS-12 retirement scenario using common assumptions. https://fersfree.com The Scenario Assumptions: GS-12 Step 5 equivalent High-3 salary: $100,000 Years of service: 30 Retirement age: 57 (MRA) TSP balance: $500,000 No military buyback No […]
Read article →Most retirement calculators are built to answer one simple question: “How much money will I have?” That sounds useful—but for federal employees, it’s incomplete. Federal retirement is not based on a single number. It is a multi-system income structure that changes over time. That is where most calculators fall short. FERSFree was built specifically to […]
Read article →Many federal employees spend years planning retirement—but overlook one of the most valuable resources available to them: Retirement seminars, webinars, and HR-sponsored training. These sessions are often provided or supported by your agency and can give you clarity on complex topics that are difficult to piece together on your own. https://fersfree.com What Are Federal Retirement […]
Read article →Attending a federal retirement seminar is a smart move. But simply showing up is not enough. The real value comes from asking the right questions—especially the ones that apply directly to your situation. https://fersfree.com Why Asking Questions Matters Retirement seminars are usually: General in nature Designed for a broad audience Focused on rules, not personal […]
Read article →Most federal retirement examples focus on higher GS levels. But many employees spend a large portion of their career at GS-9 or similar pay grades. So what does retirement actually look like at that level? https://fersfree.com The Scenario Assumptions: GS-9 Step 5 equivalent High-3 salary: $70,000 Years of service: 30 Retirement age: 57 (MRA) TSP […]
Read article →For many federal employees, healthcare is one of the biggest unknowns in retirement. A common question is: How much will FEHB actually cost me once I retire? The answer depends on your plan, coverage type, and whether you enroll in Medicare. https://fersfree.com The Short Answer You will continue to pay monthly FEHB premiums in retirement, […]
Read article →Most retirement plans focus on gross income. But that is not what you actually spend. What matters is: How much money you take home after taxes and healthcare costs. https://fersfree.com Why Net Income Matters You may estimate: FERS pension TSP withdrawals Social Security But without factoring in: Taxes FEHB premiums Medicare Your plan can be […]
Read article →If you are eligible for MRA+10 retirement, the biggest question is: Should you retire now, or wait? This decision can have a permanent impact on your pension. If you want to compare your exact scenarios: https://fersfree.com What Is MRA+10? MRA+10 allows you to retire at: Minimum Retirement Age (usually 56–57) With at least 10 years […]
Read article →For many federal employees, one of the most important retirement decisions is: When should I take Social Security? The answer depends on how it fits into your full retirement income system—not just the earliest age available. If you want to compare scenarios: https://fersfree.com The 3 Main Options Age 62 (Earliest) Reduced benefit Immediate income Reduces […]
Read article →One of the biggest questions disabled veterans ask before retirement is: Can I collect VA disability and a FERS pension at the same time? In most cases, the answer is yes. If you want to model your full retirement income: https://fersfree.com Can You Collect Both? Yes, in most cases. VA disability = compensation for service-connected […]
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