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Online Retirement Application (ORA) Update

Posted on Friday, 13th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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The End to the Silver Script Madness – News Flash

Posted on Saturday, 7th February 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Reflections 2025 – Marvin Gaye (What’s Going On)

Posted on Friday, 30th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Savings Bond Calculator & Treasury Direct Inefficiencies!

Posted on Thursday, 15th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Tax Forms Availability – What to Expect This Year

Posted on Friday, 9th January 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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The 2026 Landscape: What to Expect and Outlook

Posted on Thursday, 1st January 2026 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Long Term Care Insurance – Future Purchase Option

Posted on Friday, 12th December 2025 by Dennis Damp

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My wife and I enrolled in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program’s Future Purchase Option when it was first offered in the early 2000s. Our monthly premium for Mary was $35.59, and I was paying $37.98 for 5 years of coverage with a maximum lifetime benefit of $228,125. The daily benefit amount was $125. […]

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Open Season Coming to a Close – Last-Minute Checkup

Posted on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 by Dennis Damp

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The open season for FEHB / PSHB health care plan changes will close on December 8th, this coming Monday!  There is still time to consider a change, and the following resources will help you through the expedited process. Review and Compare Use my comprehensive Open Season Selection Guide, articles I published, and related resources to […]

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