Posted on Friday, 17th April 2026 by Dennis Damp

Taxes are a conundrum that creates widespread confusion due to constant changes and the sheer volume of regulations governing every aspect of completing our tax returns.  I’ve used TurboTax since its inception, and that has calmed the waters for my family to a point. Yet every time you turn around, another taxing challenge rears its […]

Tags: Capital Gains, CSRS, Daily Brief, Dividends, Estimated Quarterly Taxes, FERS, Medicare, Pensions, Social Security, Tax Rates
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• SURVIVOR INFORMATION

Posted on Friday, 3rd April 2026 by Dennis Damp

For decades, CSRS retirees faced some of the harshest offsets in the Social Security system. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced or eliminated spousal and survivor benefits, while the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) cut into any Social Security benefits earned through non‑federal work. With both provisions repealed last year, CSRS retirees now have access to […]

Tags: CSRS, Daily Brief, GPO, Social Security Spousal Benefits, Survivor Benefits, WEP
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Posted on Friday, 13th March 2026 by Dennis Damp

When a loved one passes away, the emotional toll is often accompanied by financial uncertainty. For spouses of federal employees or retirees, survivor’s benefits can provide essential stability during a difficult transition. These benefits—administered through federal retirement systems and Social Security—are designed to ensure that a surviving spouse continues to receive income after the worker’s […]

Tags: CSRS, Daily Brief, Federal Employee Spousal Benefits, FERS, GPO, Master Retiree Contact List, Social Security, Survivor's Annuity, Survivor's Benefits
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• OPM UPDATES
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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
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Posted on Thursday, 14th August 2025 by Dennis Damp

I retired in 2005 at age 55, almost 21 years ago! I wouldn’t have retired if I didn’t have 35+ years of service at the time and an avocation, my business to fall back on after leaving government service. My federal employees’ retirement planning site helps me connect with thousands of retirees who are genuinely […]

Tags: Case Histories, CSRS, Emotionally Prepared for Retirement, FERS, Financially Prepared for Retirement, Retirement Activities, Retirement Choices, Retirement Planning, Retirement Plans, Retirment Observations, What to do in Retirement
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Posted on Thursday, 17th July 2025 by Dennis Damp

Please forward this to others needing retirement planning assistance. Many federal employees are actively considering retirement today due to early, regular, and deferred options that are now or soon will be available as downsizing initiatives continue throughout the federal sector. The reconciliation bill includes funding for the major reorganizations, reductions in Force (RIF), and relocations […]

Tags: CSRS, Federal Retirement Assistance, Federal Retirement Guide, Federal Retirement Help, FERS, OPM Information, Retirment Counseling Services
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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 complete the SF 2801 online. Only those with a .gov email address can access the new application portal. I tried to log in […]

Tags: CSRS, Daily Brief, Federal Employees, FERS, OPM Retirement Application, ORA, SF-2801, SF-3107
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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 […]

Tags: 2026 COLA Projections, COLA, CSRS, Daily Brief, Federal Retirement Projections, FERS, Social Security
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