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Electronic Retirement Application Submissions

Posted on Friday, 30th May 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Powerless, Keeping the Lights On

Posted on Thursday, 22nd May 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Request Your 2025 Retirement Benefits Booklet from OPM

Posted on Friday, 16th May 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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, […]

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Projected Annuity Calculator Updates for FERS and CSRS

Posted on Friday, 9th May 2025 by Dennis Damp

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Our updated Excel annuity calculator spreadsheet projects your annuity and maximum survivor benefit growth through 2065 using an estimated average annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Frank Cullen, an old friend who retired from federal service many years ago, developed this calculator. In the following sample chart, the retiree’s annuity increased 75% over the next […]

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Retirement Investments – Down but Not Out

Posted on Friday, 4th April 2025 by Dennis Damp

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Please forward this to others that may find this informative. Sign up to receive our free e-mail newsletter. I wrote a version of this article in April 2022, and with the market sell-off, it’s a good time to revisit this subject. It’s impossible to time the market. One of the financial advisers I talked with […]

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How to Dramatically Lower Your Cable and Internet Costs NOW!

Posted on Friday, 21st March 2025 by Dennis Damp

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Most retirees and federal employees approaching retirement are concerned about rising cable and Internet costs, largely due to the cable companies’ decades-long monopoly. My monthly cable bill is currently $347.76, which is my largest utility bill. I wrote an article last year about cutting the cord, which focused on ways to reduce excessive cable bills, […]

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Many CSRS Retiree’s Social Security Checks Increasing Soon

Posted on Wednesday, 26th February 2025 by Dennis Damp

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The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset last November, and impacted CSRS retirees are waiting for their Social Security checks to increase. You are eligible for Social Security benefits if you accrued 40 quarters (10 years) of employment where Social Security payments were withheld. The Windfall Elimination […]

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Social Security Income Tax Elimination Update

Posted on Thursday, 13th February 2025 by Dennis Damp

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Approximately 50% of retirees pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, compared to less than 10% in 1984! Thomas Massie (R-KY) reintroduced H.R. 1040, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act. It was referred 02/06/2025 to the House Committee on Ways and Means. This bill assists seniors by eliminating the double tax on Social Security benefits. […]

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