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Tag: Federal Retirement

Are FERS Pensions Taxed? Federal and State Tax Breakdown

One of the most common questions federal employees ask before retiring is: Will my FERS pension be taxed? The short answer is yes at the federal level, but the full answer is more nuanced—especially when you factor in state taxes, TSP withdrawals, and Social Security. If you want to estimate your real net income: https://fersfree.com […]

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Roth vs Traditional TSP: Which Is Better for Federal Employees?

One of the most important decisions federal employees make while contributing to the TSP is: Should I use Roth or Traditional? The answer depends on taxes—specifically when you want to pay them. If you want to model your retirement income: https://fersfree.com The Core Difference Traditional TSP: Contributions are pre-tax You pay taxes later in retirement […]

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FERS Survivor Benefits Explained: Is It Worth It?

One of the most important—and emotional—decisions in federal retirement planning is: Should you elect a FERS survivor benefit? This decision affects: Your monthly pension Your spouse’s financial security Your long-term retirement strategy If you want to see how this impacts your income: https://fersfree.com What Is a FERS Survivor Benefit? A survivor benefit allows your spouse […]

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FERS Supplement Earnings Limit: How It Works and Why It Matters

The FERS Supplement can be a valuable income bridge before age 62, but many retirees are caught off guard by one critical rule: The earnings limit. If you plan to work after retiring, this rule can significantly reduce or even eliminate your supplement. To model your retirement income scenarios: https://fersfree.com What Is the FERS Supplement […]

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How Much Do You Need to Retire as a Federal Employee?

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 […]

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TSP Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): What Federal Retirees Need to Know

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 […]

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How to Use FERSFree to Plan Your Retirement (Step-by-Step Guide)

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 […]

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What Happens If You Run Out of TSP Money?

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 […]

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Sequence of Returns Risk Explained for TSP

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 […]

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