Posted on Friday, 4th July 2025 by Dennis Damp

The reconciliation bill HR-1, passed by Congress and signed by the President on Independence Day, ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits. This bill provides meaningful and immediate relief to millions of seniors.

Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano recently stated, “This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors. For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned.”

The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can retain a greater portion of their earnings.

Social Security Taxation

According to a White House memo issued July 1, 2025, “88% of all seniors who receive Social Security will pay NO TAX on their Social Security benefits, according to an analysis from the Council of Economic Advisers.”

• A senior who files as a single taxpayer and receives the current average retirement benefit (approx. $24,000) will see deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income.
• Married seniors who both receive the average $24,000 Social Security income — a total of $48,000 in annual income — will also see deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income.

New Standard Senior Deductions

The new Senior Deductions, as noted in the following chart, will either eliminate or significantly reduce the taxes paid on our Social Security earnings. Married seniors will receive a $12,000 deduction, which compensates for the majority of any Social Security taxes they may be required to pay.

Before the passing of this bill, just over half of all Social Security recipients paid taxes on up to 85 percent of their Social Security benefits because their income exceeded the established threshold for taxation. This deduction significantly offsets the taxes paid for many, but not all, due to income limitations.

Deduction Examples

First, consider the case of a senior filing as a single taxpayer receiving the current average retirement benefit of approximately $24,000 (per Social Security Administration data).  The maximum amount of Social Security included in taxable income is 85% of the benefit, which would be $20,400 in this case.

Under the reconciliation bill, in 2025 this senior would be entitled to $23,750 in deductions – the $15,750 standard deduction, the $2,000 current-law additional deduction, and the $6,000 new law senior deduction – meaning that the reconciliation bill would lead to deductions that exceed the senior’s taxable Social Security income.

Second, consider a married couple of seniors both receiving the average $24,000 Social Security income.  The couple will have a total of $48,000 in annual income, of which at most 85% is taxable ($40,800).  Under the bill, this couple would be entitled to deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income.

Six One Way, Half A Dozen the Other

This deduction is how the administration achieved its goal of exempting Social Security from taxation. Instead of changing the tax laws, they established a new senior deduction that achieved the same thing to a degree. Some will still pay taxes, but most individuals will benefit from this new standard senior deduction.

Income limits apply. Singles with income under $75,000 and couples under $150,000 qualify for the full deduction and it phases out gradually and ends completely for singles earning over $175,000 and couples over $250,000.

This tax break is available from 2025 through 2028 and may be renewed by future legislation.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Join other federal workers on the FedWork Network.
Sign up for their Free Service to get started.

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• Free Retirement Planning Report
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: 2025 Senior Deduction, Big Beautify Bill, Daily Brief, Reconciliation Bill HR-1, Social Security Tax Reductions
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION, WELLNESS / HEALTH

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Posted on Friday, 27th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

Last week’s article announced the launch of OPM’s retirement application (ORA) service. The process mimics the paper application process. FERS employees must fill out the SF 3107 form, and CSRS employees must fill out the SF 2801 online. Only those with a .gov email address can access the new application portal.

I tried to log in using my AOL email address, and OPM replied with this notice: “It looks like you logged in with a personal email address. If you’re an HR or Payroll specialist, log back in with your .gov email address. Otherwise, we’re working on adding support for retirees. Check back soon!”

The login screen cautions, “First time here from retire.opm.gov? Your old retire.opm.gov username and password won’t work. Create a Login.gov account with the same email used previously.”

Your online applications are submitted to your agency’s HR department for processing. I suggest downloading and printing out the appropriate form for detailed guidance, including the four pages of instructions included with each form. They will also help you gather the required information and documents when completing your online submission. This will save you time when applying online.

Here are the form links:

• FERS SF-3107
• CSRS SF-2801

Streamlined Service

Starting June 3, 2025, federal employees’ retirement applications must be submitted online through OPM’s new Online Retirement Portal. This system replaces paper-based submissions. For security purposes, this service is only available through your Login.gov account.

You only have to register once for a Login.gov ID, and then you can use it for all federal sites, including OPM’s Services Online and Social Security. You also have the option to log in using your government ID.

The one caveat is that you must use your official agency email address to enter this system. Federal employees must register again using their agency’s email address if you used a non-government email address to join other sites, such as Social Security.

Applying for Retirement

The application requires detailed information about the employee’s service history, retirement system (CSRS or FERS), benefit elections, and survivor annuity elections. When you are ready to retire, you will receive an email with instructions on completing your application using ORA. You will enter your information and complete the entire process online.

FREE Retirement Report and Analysis

Here are the steps required to use this service:

1. Create or Link to your Login.gov Account:

If you don’t have a Login.gov account, follow this guidance to create one. This is separate from the OPM Services Online account, which lets annuitants (federal retirees or their spouses, ex-spouses, and children) manage their accounts online.

2. Access the Retirement Application:

Go to the OPM Online Retirement Application portal.

3. Complete Forms Online:

Fill out the required forms, including the primary retirement application forms (SF 2801 for CSRS or SF 3107 for FERS) and any supplemental forms.

4. Collect Supporting Documents:

You must provide supporting documents, such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or military service records, as needed.

5. Send the Application:

Once the application is complete, submit it electronically through the portal.

6. Agency Review and Certification:

Your employing agency will review and certify your application, including completing the SF 3107-1 (FERS) or SF 2801-1 (CSRS), and forward it to OPM. They will contact you if additional information or clarification is needed, such as military service or benefit election questions.

7. Follow up with your HR Department

After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation of receipt via the email address you used for the submission. Call HR to confirm receipt if you don’t receive a timely response.

Join other federal workers on the FedWork Network.
Sign up for this Free Service to get started.

Stay Involved with the Process

Time will tell how efficient the new system is and whether or not it speeds up processing. OPM has provided training and support for agencies to utilize the new system. The key is for your HR department to have the same ability to fast-track and send your application electronically to OPM. They will need the staff to do this, just because it is online now, applications still require detailed reviews before sending them to OPM.

Issues around military service time often arise that the applicant and HR must resolve using the employee’s eOPF and other documentation. You should download your eOPF and review it for inconsistencies before submitting your application, especially when employed by different agencies, working part-time, or having military service to add to your annuity calculation.

Effective July 15, 2025, OPM will no longer accept paper retirement applications. Any paper submissions created on or after June 2, 2025, will be returned to the agency for digital resubmission.

when employees notify their HR office of their intent to retire, they will receive an email with detailed instructions for completing their application using ORA.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: CSRS, Daily Brief, Federal Employees, FERS, OPM Retirement Application, ORA, SF-2801, SF-3107
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Friday, 20th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) launched a new online portal for federal employees on June 3, 2025. This portal is a fully digital federal retirement system that streamlines the retirement application process for employees, HR professionals, and payroll offices.

Getting Started

FREE Retirement Report and Analysis

You must use Login.gov to set up a new account or to log in for existing users. If you aren’t familiar with Login.gov, review the guidance I published when they first required this extra security level for many federal websites.

OPM’s Goals

Users accessing the platform are presented with a streamlined entry point tailored to both agency partners and members of the public. This reinforces OPMʼs broader goal of transforming the retirement process into a faster, paperless, and easier-to-navigate system.

“This is what modern government should look like—responsive, efficient, and user-centered,” said Acting Director Charles Ezell. “With every update to this new portal, weʼre improving the retirement experience for millions of public servants whoʼve dedicated their careers to this country. This launch brings us closer to delivering the fully digital, 21st-century retirement system they deserve.”

End Notes

This is just one of the first steps to enhancing government automation; many more are to come. Other initiatives coincide with this effort, such as the launch of the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) platform on June 5^th.

Automation has come a long way since I started working in government. I’ve been fascinated with computers from an early age, starting with the VIC 20 and Commodore 64 and everything thereafter. My 1982 college degree was in microcomputer technology.

Significant Changes Impacting Federal Employees

When I worked at our Sector Office in Pittsburgh, PA, in the early 1980s, I was the only one with a home computer; there were only IBM Selectric typewriters at work. I would produce staff reports on my Commodore 64 and bring them to work. Our manager occasionally sent me home to work on special computer and spreadsheet projects he submitted to the region—a sea change from today.

Many early automation efforts hit brick walls and faded into the sunset. Today, with AI and all of the computer power, everything is or will soon be automated. Our parents won’t recognize what lies ahead these next few years, and I’ll also be amazed, from robots taking care of basic tasks to self-driving cars, robo-taxis, and everything in between, with few exceptions.

Is this the new golden age, or have we gone too far and fast without evaluating the impact on the billions of people still left in the equation?

Automation has advanced so much that what was impossible just a short time ago is commonplace.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Join other federal workers on the FedWork Network.
Sign up for this Free Service to get started.

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: Automation. AI, Daily Brief, Federal Retirement Applications, login.gov, Login.gov Sign-up, OPM's Application Portal
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Thursday, 12th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

This year’s 2.5% COLA for Social Security and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and 2.0% for Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) decreased from the 2024 COLA of 3.2% % CSRS and 3% FERS.

The 2023 COLA was the highest in over 40 years at 8.8% for CSRS and 7.7% for FERS employees. Even though costs remain high for many segments of the economy, inflation is moderating as noted in the following charts.

May 2025 CPI Chart

I published the following 2024 CPI inflation chart in last year’s COLA update article; you can see the significant drop in inflation year to year, especially in the energy sector.

May 2024 CPI Chart

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the costs of all items increased by around 2.4% in the current 12-month period ending in May, compared to 3.3% last year. The one area that didn’t show improvement year to year is food; it increased to almost 3 percent, and we all can attest to that fact: food prices at the grocery store and restaurant meals are still through the roof.

Our real estate taxes continued their upward climb again this year. Allegheny County real estate taxes increased 36% in just one year. Gasoline in the Pittsburgh area averages $3.34 a gallon, but at Sam’s Club or Costco, it is $3.15 a gallon, which is still one of the major catalysts driving up the costs of everything we use.

2026 COLA Estimated Increase

The 2026 COLA is calculated over the 12-month period from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The next three months’ CPI data will determine the amount of the next COLA, and it depends on the reported monthly inflation rates for these months, the last three months of this fiscal year.

Wilbert J Morell III, a retired Navy Engineering Project manager, tracks these statistics monthly and generates a comprehensive report on our COLAs under specific scenarios.

His research concludes that if there aren’t significant changes to the last quarter’s CPI, we can expect the following 2026 COLAs:

• 2026 Social Security COLA: 2.6%
• 2026 CSRS COLA: 2.6%
• 2026 FERS COLA: 2.0%

As of June 11, 2025, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL) projects the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 to be 2.5%. This is an increase from their previous forecast of 2.4%.

Review all COLAs from 1999 to the present with detail on how they are prorated for FERS employees and annuitants.

Retirement Processing Delays

As of May 2025, OPM has an inventory of over 24,000 claims to process. They received 15,040 claims in May and processed 9,739.

The good news is that OPM’s retirement claims processing times have steadily declined since 2022, from over 90 days to 52 days today. Now that retirement applications are submitted online, the days it takes to process a claim should be reduced further.

Significant Changes Impacting Federal Employees

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

Any mistakes or omissions in your retirement application often cause delays. Common errors include:

• Unsigned forms, online forms require an electronic signature (Guidance Provided)
• Check that all forms are complete before submitting them.
• Provide the correct contact information, not your work email and phone numbers.
• Incomplete or incorrect SF 2818 FEGLI (Continuation of Life Insurance)
• Missing health benefit information
• Missing or incorrect marriage and spousal consent information
• Missing or incorrect military service documentation

Preparing for Retirement, Start NOW!

The following list of articles will help anyone planning their exit to take the appropriate actions necessary to submit a timely retirement application:

• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide
• Deciding When to Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• Which Way is Up – A Retiree’s Conundrum
• What to Expect the First Three Months After Retiring
• The Impact of a Divorce on Your Annuity
• OPM’s Retirement Planning Overview

Summary

The 2026 projected 2.6% COLA is much better than the ZERO COLAs we received in 2010, 2011, and 2016. Yet, the cost-of-living adjustment is based on the previous year’s statistics; we start at a yearly loss. My annuity has almost doubled since I retired 20 years ago. Many private-sector annuities aren’t COLA-adjusted, and private-sector retirees often find themselves hard-pressed to make ends meet 10 or 20 years after retirement.

Regarding retirement planning, it’s best to start long before you walk out the door. I started five years before my target date and attended several agency-sponsored retirement planning seminars that created more questions than answers. That’s why I developed and launched the Federal Employees Retirement Planning Guide in 2004.

One of our site visitors stated, “I spent 3 hours on the web looking for answers to questions concerning federal retirement. After a Google search yielded your address, it took only 20 minutes to find all of my answers! Thank you!!”

If you are contemplating retirement, start researching your benefit options early. There are many decisions to make, and most are irreversible after you leave. One example is life insurance. Several low-cost options are worth carrying into retirement, even if you think the coverage isn’t needed now.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

Join other federal workers on the FedWork Network.
Sign up for this Free Service to get started.

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: 2026 COLA Projections, COLA, CSRS, Daily Brief, Federal Retirement Projections, FERS, Social Security
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Thursday, 5th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

OPM announced on June 3rd the availability of their new electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) platform. This new state-of-the-art cloud-based system replaces the legacy Official Personnel Folder (OPF).

When I retired, there wasn’t an eOPF to download. I requested my HR office to send a legacy hard copy file to my office, and was allowed to review it and make copies of documents I wished to keep.

Modernization Initiative

OPM recently completed migrating more than 400 million files and over five million user accounts, a significant milestone in modernizing federal human resources systems. This, along with their recent announcement that all retirement applications will now be submitted online instead of the archaic paper-copy version, is a tribute to this modernization effort.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to those who retired before automation took hold and eOPFs first became available. Retirees under the legacy system who wish to review their records must contact the records center.

eOPF Enhancements

Acting Director Chuck Ezell said. “The new eOPF platform improves accessibility and usability while also setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation in federal human resources management.” The upgrade includes:

• Files can be viewed directly in the platform without downloading PDFs.
• A cleaner, more intuitive interface for seamless access to personnel records.
• Streamlined options for printing and downloading documents.

Records Center Contact

If you are a former Federal employee, you can request a copy of your most recent SF-50, or a copy of your complete Official Personnel Folder, by contacting the:

National Archives and Records Administration
National Personnel Records Center (civilian)
1411 Boulder Blvd, Valmeyer, IL 62295.

Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be hand-signed (in cursive) and dated (within the last year). You must identify the documents or information needed and explain the purpose of your request.

Certain basic information is needed to locate civilian personnel records and to respond to your request, including:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Last employing agency (including duty station) and approximate date(s) of the employment (for former Federal employees).
• Signature

The National Personnel Records Center provides these fax numbers for requests: 618-496-4903 or 4904.

End Notes

OPM continues modernization efforts, and its website has improved to provide retirees more information and services. These are just a few of the helpful additions that were added over the past year or so:

• Retirement Quick Guide
• Survivor Benefits Online Guide
• A Guide to Finding Your Retiree Claim Number
• Changing Your Mailing Address

When I retired on December 31, 2004, OPM’s website was in its infancy and not user-friendly. That’s why I published my Retirement Planning website the year I retired. I literally couldn’t find the information I needed to make an informed decision about so many of our benefits.

Fortunately, this has changed dramatically over the past decade, and OPM’s online information continues to improve. My Retirement Planning website complements OPM’s site. It provides an insider’s perspective on federal retirement, with helpful tips and advice on the steps needed to transition from an active employee to a satisfied federal annuitant.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: eOPF, Federal Records Center, Official Personnel File, OPM Modernization
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Friday, 30th May 2025 by Dennis Damp

Finally, after decades of inaction on streamlining the retirement application process, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) started the ball rolling. Beginning June 2, 2025, all agencies must submit retirement applications electronically to OPM.

The Presidential Memorandum entitled “Establishing and Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency” included modernizing Federal technology; this initiative is long overdue.

Working Behind the Scenes

DOGE has been working closely with the Retirement Services team at OPM. Their goal is to create an entirely digital process that dramatically reduces the time it takes to process retirement applications, providing federal employees a more efficient and improved experience.

Over the past twelve months, the average monthly processing time has ranged from 73 days to a low of 49 days. With this new automated process, these times could be reduced substantially. Another advantage would be expediting surviving spouses’ benefits; it can take over 6 months for a surviving spouse to start collecting their designated survivor annuity!

Outdated Automation

This is a systemic problem throughout the federal sector, from outdated air traffic control systems to the Treasury Department and virtually every other agency. You would think our Treasury Department would have the latest and greatest automation, certainly on par with major banks. Think again.

I requested the Treasury transfer my online savings bonds to our joint trust account on February 20, 2025. They advised me that it could take up to a year to make this transfer, and transferring paper savings bonds to your online account can take almost as long.

The Treasury’s Response

Here is an excerpt from the email they sent concerning my transfer request:

The following transactions require at least 6 weeks of processing time if bonds and/or Treasury Direct accounts are in your name.

• Cashing paper savings bonds where you are named on the bonds, and send in the bonds with your request.
• Unlocking your Treasury Direct account or updating your banking information within that account
• Converting your paper savings bonds into electronic format (in a Treasury Direct account)
• Requests to search for lost, stolen, or missing savings bonds require at least 4 months to process.
• Other paper savings bond transactions you are authorized to handle, but not in your name, require at least 6 weeks to process.
• Other Treasury Direct requests, including trusts, may require 12 months or more to process.

Excessive Delays

I can’t imagine waiting six weeks to unlock your Treasury Direct account when Fidelity can unlock an account the same day.

Most financial institutions process many of these changes immediately or within the week. Their legal departments review trust documents before allowing the branch or brokerage house to open the new account.

Unlike all other financial institutions, Treasury Direct accounts don’t issue monthly or quarterly statements. If you have a Treasury Direct account, they advise you to print out your computer screens and keep them as evidence of ownership! This is archaic to say the least, and if a bank, brokerage service, or credit union didn’t send out statements, they would be fined by the government!

The Department of Government Efficiency team is accessing the Treasury Department system that controls trillions of dollars in federal payments to streamline and improve operational efficiency. Hopefully, delays like this will be resolved.

End Notes

I look forward to comparing retirement processing times using this new electronic application submission system. If processing times improve, we will know in several months. Many of the government’s automation systems are outdated and need modernization. Unfortunately, many contracts to upgrade agency software resulted in extensive delays and cost overruns and were never completed.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult a financial, medical, or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss or other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: Automation Updates, DOGE, Federal Retirement Applications, Treasury Direct
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Thursday, 22nd May 2025 by Dennis Damp

At 5:02 p.m. on April 29th, a storm raged through our community, with winds of 70 to 80 miles per hour, straight-line winds, and rain with hail. This unusual weather event in Pittsburgh lasted 5 to 10 minutes, yet the damage was extensive and spread across several counties.

Over 500,000 homes were without electricity. We lost hundreds of dollars in groceries and sat in darkness for three days before I located a 2300-Watt gas-powered inverter generator, a lifesaver that brought light back to our home.

Not my First Rodeo

I experienced several natural disasters throughout my life, including Hurricane Camille that ripped through Biloxi, Mississippi, three months before I married my wife and brought her down to the devastation in the area.

In my memoir, I recollect the events of this disaster: “I was in Biloxi for two and a half months. About halfway through phase one of my training, Hurricane Camille hit on Aug 17, 1969. This massive Category 5 storm was devastating; in one night, the world turned upside down.”

I further state, “When it hit, all hell broke loose. We were on the first floor of a two-story building; a corner of the building collapsed. The rain was so intense that water leaked through the floor above in sheets, and ceiling tiles cascaded down on us throughout the night. Cars, trees, and debris were blown down the street. No one slept.”

Camille caused tremendous damage and produced a storm surge of 24 feet. It flattened nearly everything along the Mississippi coast and caused additional flooding and deaths inland. Camille killed more than 259 people and caused approximately $12.2 billion in inflation-adjusted damage.

Coping With the Current Event

Eight days later, 10,000 were still without power. We were fortunate to have power restored on day 5. I can only imagine what those in North Carolina and Florida suffered through when Hurricane Helene devastated entire communities; some will never recover.

Ours was a minor inconvenience compared to what they suffered through. Yet, being without power and sitting in the dark for 4 of those five days was upending and made one think about how our society is 100 percent reliant on this one power source. We are just one major solar flare event or a cascading power station failure away from mass mayhem and anarchy—something to think about.

Whole House Power Backup

About six months ago, one of our neighbors requested a quote for a whole-house backup system from a major big-box store. The price they quoted seemed high and unreasonable.

Shortly after the recent power failure, my neighbor asked another contractor for a quote, and they provided an installation estimate for both of us. I received the quote this week for $12,640. The quote includes everything needed to install a 20 KW Kohler standby generator with a 200-amp automatic transfer switch and tap into our natural gas line.

Gary, a good friend, texted me that he signed up for a Generac backup power quote from Costco, and they were offering an extended 7-year warranty. If you accept the deal, Costco gives you a Costco shopping card worth 10% of the sale price. If they are competitive, this is a great deal all around.

Estimated Cost

The cost depends on the size of your electrical load. For the average home, a backup engine generator that runs on natural gas, propane, or diesel fuel, with a capacity of 10,000 watts (10 kW), is recommended to power essential appliances and lighting during power outages.

This size typically handles the draw from major appliances, lights, and other critical appliances. A 15 kW or larger generator may be required for bigger homes or those with more demanding needs.

According to a local flyer, the average cost for a Generac backup power system, including installation, is as follows:

• 5 kW $7,599
• 10 kW $8,599
• 14 kW $9,599
• 22 kW $9,999
• 24 kW $10,999
• 26 kW $11,999

These prices include a unit pad, oil heater kit, whole-house surge protection, and electrical and gas or LP connections. I like that whole-house surge suppression is included.

Costs will vary depending on the complexity of the installation, including factors such as easy access to the power source, electrical difficulties, and the location of the outside unit. Generac generators are American-made and shouldn’t be impacted by tariffs levied on imports.

End Notes

Coping with the power outage isn’t the only issue after an event like this; it’s the damage done by whatever nature throws at you, such as roof and structural damage from the 70 to 80 mile per hour winds that lasted on and off for maybe 10 minutes at a time in our case.

We lost all the contents of two freezers and refrigerators, amounting to approximately $1,000 in food alone. We are still waiting for insurance adjusters to review the damage estimates we received from contractors. The yard cleanup also took time, but it’s still a minor inconvenience compared to those suffering from major natural disasters that impact many people yearly.

There are many options for backup power, ranging from small, portable inverter units to major players like Kohler and Generac, which can power your entire house for days on end.

This 2300-Watt inverter unit ran for 30 hours straight

According to Google’s AI search, “Kohler and Generac are both leading brands in home standby generators, with Kohler generally considered to have higher quality and reliability and a higher price. Generac offers a broader range of price points and may be a better option for those on a budget or with lower power needs.”

Wires Everywhere

My wife and I decided to purchase a whole-house unit even though long-term outages are, on average, few and far between. Power lines in our plan are underground; however, all of the feeds to our plan are above ground, with trees lining the way in most cases. We experience short power outages many times throughout the year, and at other times, lights flicker. While writing this article, we lost power for several minutes.

Another factor influencing our decision is that whole-house backup generators can enhance a home’s resale value. Buyers view it as a premium feature, and they can increase a home’s value by up to 5% or more.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: Backup Generators, Inverter Generators, Power Outages
Posted in FINANCE / TIP, LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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Posted on Friday, 16th May 2025 by Dennis Damp

If you haven’t already, it’s time to order this year’s annuity booklet at OPM Services Online. The 2025 booklets are available for download, and a copy will also be sent via regular mail if requested. I order a new copy each year; it is 28 pages long and outlines all of your benefits, annuity information, and survivor’s benefits, including your survivor’s annuity.

BLUE Book (Benefits Summary Booklet)

Request an updated retirement benefits booklet through OPM’s Online Services. All retirees receive a comprehensive multi-page pamphlet titled “Your Federal Retirement Benefits” from OPM when they retire. My booklet is 28 pages long. Request your updated copy by selecting the Document Section, the last item listed on the Dashboard’s main menu, and clicking on “Request Booklet.”

Many annuitants order a copy each year with their updated benefits information and place the booklet in their retirement or estate planning file. You can also request a copy of the original booklet you received when you first retired, if you lost your copy, and compare it to the most current version.

If you haven’t signed up for OPM’s Online Services, follow the sign-on guidance in my article titled “OPM Services Online Access Changes.”

Old Hard Copy Version (Blue Book)

This booklet is a wealth of information and includes all your personal retirement information, such as your CSA number, annuity breakdown, survivor elections, and benefit elections. This website’s document section also provides quick access to your 1099-R forms for the past five years, as well as downloadable annual and monthly annuity statements.

This year, you can request a downloadable PDF version for easy access. You can request a hard copy paper version from OPM by calling 1-888-767-6738. Those calling OPM are still placed on hold for extended periods during peak times during the week.

What’s New in the Download Version

This 18-page PDF version is formatted for a standard 8.5” x 11” page, allowing it to be easily added to a retirement planning binder with three-hole punching. There are several helpful features that the printed booklet doesn’t have. For example, it includes active hyperlinks to referenced websites and PDF reports. Click on the PDF download version link, and you will be directed to the relevant service, such as the link to OPM’s Retirement Services Support Center.

There is a comprehensive section on how to contact OPM and other helpful organizations. This section links you to multiple areas of interest for retirees. It includes phone numbers and hyperlinks where appropriate for Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, the Federal Long Term Care Program (FLTCIP), and the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.

New Downloaded Retirement Benefits Pamphlet

One of the sections lists your benefit summary and everything that is deducted from your monthly payment:

• Current Gross Monthly Benefit

Less/Plus

• Health Insurance Premium
• Checking/Savings Allotment
• Federal Income Tax
• Federal Dental Insurance
• Federal Vision Insurance
• Federal LTC Insurance
• Net Monthly Benefit

Overall, I like the downloaded version and the direct link to the relevant referenced websites. The old blue book version is no longer available. If you request a copy by mail, they send a printed copy of the download version.

Other Request Options

You can also email OPM if you aren’t signed up for their online services at retire@opm.gov or send a written request to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-1000. OPM advises, “The internet is not a secure environment for transmitting personal information via email.”

End Notes

This pamphlet is an essential document for your heirs when that time comes. You’ll find detailed survivor information, your spouse’s monthly annuity amount that he/she can expect, your insurance elections, and so much more. It goes on to describe how to contact OPM when the annuitant dies, all in one convenient package.

Keeping this pamphlet with your retirement papers or estate plan is a no-brainer and a must, so your heirs won’t be left in the dark and unsure of what to do or who to contact. Additionally, download our fill-in PDF Master Retiree Contact List, which includes other services and contact numbers you may need.

I typically order or download a new Blue Book as early as February each year for my records. Now, download a copy, print it out, and file it where it can be easily accessed whenever needed.

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

• Financial Planning Guide for Federal Employees and Annuitants
• TSP Guide
• Budget Work Sheet
• Retirement Planning for Federal Employees & Annuitants
• The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide – Start Now
• Deciding When To Retire – A 7-Step Guide
• 2025 Federal Employee’s Leave Chart
• Medicare Guide
• Social Security Guide

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Tags: Benefits Booklet, Retiree's Benefots, Retirement Benefits Summary
Posted in ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS / INSURANCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCE / TIP, RETIREMENT CONCERNS, SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE, SURVIVOR INFORMATION

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