Posted on Thursday, 19th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

Federal retirement planning comes with its own rulebook. Between FERS calculations, TSP strategies, and benefit elections, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity. But here’s the good news: with the right checklist and timeline, you can navigate this process confidently and avoid costly mistakes. This detailed checklist complements and expands on our abbreviated “Ultimate […]

Tags: 1 Year Before Retirement, 2026 Retirement Checklistd, 5 Year Plan, Daily Brief, Early Retirement, Federal Employees Timeline, FERS Retirement, Key Benefit Elections, Medicare, OPM's Processing Timeline, Social Security, Three Retirement Pillars
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• General Information
• OPM UPDATES
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Friday, 13th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

This service was launched in July of last year, and my article titled “Apply for Retirement on OPM’s Online Application Service” outlined how to sign up for and use this service.  I state in the article that, “Effective July 15, 2025, OPM will no longer accept paper retirement applications. Any paper submissions created on or […]

Tags: Daily Brief, Federal Retirement Processing, LES Statements, Military Time, Online Retirement Application, ORA, Retirment Processing Timeline
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• General Information
• OPM UPDATES
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Friday, 9th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

There is no escaping the reach of Uncle Sam; any income received is reported to both you and the IRS on your W-2s and 1099 forms, with few exceptions. Federal employees’ W-2s are sent out by their agency’s payroll department, or they can download copies from OPM’s Employee Express system.   Each year, I receive […]

Tags: 1099 Forms, 1099 R Forms, 1099-k, 1099-S, Annuity 1099-R Changes, Federal Annuity 1099-R Changes, Retirement Income, SAA-1099, Social Security SSA 1099, Tax Form Availability, TSP 1099-R, W-2s
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 1st January 2026 by Dennis Damp

For those planning their retirement, it’s a good time to assess their financial situation, long before filing their retirement paperwork. Use our comprehensive Federal Employees retirement Planning Guide to establish realistic retirement target dates, track your annual and sick leave, review your retirement benefit options, and estimate your annuity and other income. Federal Pay Raise […]

Tags: 2026 COLA, 2026 Outlook, 2026 Social Security Tax Limites, Annuity Statements, Federal Pay Raise, Federal Retirment Benefits Booklet, Medicare IRMAAs, Part B Premiums, Part D Premiums, TSP 2026 Chamges, What to Expect in 2026
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• LIFESTYLE / TRAVEL
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION
• WELLNESS / HEALTH

Posted on Friday, 21st November 2025 by Dennis Damp

I rolled over my traditional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to my personal Fidelity IRA last month. The TSP was established in 1987 concurrent with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and I retired in 2004 under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), leaving me only 17 years to fund my TSP. There were many factors […]

Tags: BPA, Daily Brief, FERS Accounts, Inherited IRAs, Rollovers, Transfers, TSP Inheritance Guidance, TSP Rollovers, TSP Withdrawals
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Thursday, 6th November 2025 by Dennis Damp

Open season runs from November 10th through December 8th. Tools are available to evaluate provider options, select your 2025 plan, and submit changes to OPM. Most FEHB plans will see benefit and rate changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are dropping out of the program, and others are changing their service areas or coverage […]

Tags: 2026 FEHB/PSHB Changes, Discontinued FEHB / PSHB plans, FEDVIP, FEHB Open Season, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Part B, PSHB Open Season
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Friday, 31st October 2025 by Dennis Damp

This guide is worth the time and effort to review and learn about your exceptional Medicare benefits. From signing up, what Medicare covers, the various plan options to consider, and how to get help paying for your healthcare drug costs, to your rights and protections. Every year, Medicare sends out its “Medicare & You” pamphlet […]

Tags: MA Plans, Medicare 2026, Medicare Changes, Traditional Plans
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION
• WELLNESS / HEALTH

Posted on Monday, 20th October 2025 by Dennis Damp

Taking this 30-second check will help you navigate the often-complex federal retirement system. PARCO’s easy-to-use, free platform enables all Federal Employees (FERS, CSRS, Special FERS, and FSPS) to view their benefits and optimize their federal retirement. PARCO’s Free Platform is used by thousands of FERS and CSRS employees across the country and around the world.   […]

Tags: CSRS, FEDVIP, FEGLI, FEHB, FERS, Medicare, PSHB, Retirement Planning, Social Security
Posted in

• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
• EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION