Posted on Friday, 6th March 2026 by Dennis Damp

The start of March 2026 has brought significant turbulence for federal employees, characterized by a shrinking workforce, increased health care costs, and ongoing battles over union representation and civil service protections. Following the implementation of the 2026 benefits, employees are navigating the realities of a 1% pay raise alongside double-digit increases in health premiums, while […]

Tags: 2026 Pay Raises, 2026 Tax Breaks, Civil Service Unions, Daily Brief, DHS Funding, FEHB, Performance based RIF selections, RIFs, Workforce Reductions
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• ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY
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Posted on Thursday, 26th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

Fixed‑income opportunities continue to evolve as investors evaluate shifting interest‑rate expectations, inflation pressures, and a challenging global economic growth environment. After two years of central bank tightening, bond markets have entered a more balanced phase—one defined less by rate shocks and more by subtle positioning, yield‑curve dynamics, and various opportunities across credit sectors. The annual […]

Tags: CDs, Daily Brief, I Bonds, Market Projections, Retirement Savings, Rule of 100, Savings Bonds, TIPS, Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds, Treasury Notes
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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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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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Posted on Saturday, 7th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

Many, if not most, FEHB providers now offer Medicare-eligible individuals a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) through the Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP). All GEHA standard and high plan retirees with Medicare Parts A and B, who live in the United States, are eligible for a PDP/EGWP prescription plan through SilverScript. GEHA offered this for the […]

Tags: Caremark, Daily Brief, EGWP, Medicare Part D, Opting Out of SilverScript, PSP. GEHA PDP
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• BENEFITS / INSURANCE
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Posted on Friday, 30th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

I grew up listening to Motown and saw Smokey Robinson and the Miracles at the South Park Fairgrounds in 1967. I keep hearing the Lyrics of Marvin Gaye’s hit song “What’s Going On” over and over in my head: Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There’s far too many of […]

Tags: 2025 Acomplishments. Daily Brief, 2025 Highlights, Drug Crisis, Marvin Gaye, Poverty, What's Going On, World Conflicts
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Posted on Thursday, 15th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

When inflation raised its ugly head in May of 2022, I-Savings bonds were paying 9.62%. Many purchased these bonds to partially offset the near-zero interest rates they earned on their fixed income over the past decade. It is easy to set up an account, and currently, the I-Bond yield is 4.03%, including a .90% fixed […]

Tags: Daily Brief, Savings Bond Calculator, Savings Bond Calculator Problems, Treasury Direct, Treasury Direct Problems
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• ESTATE PLANNING
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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
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• ESTATE PLANNING
• FINANCE / TIP
• RETIREMENT CONCERNS
• SOCIAL SECURITY / MEDICARE
• SURVIVOR INFORMATION