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Retirement Planning Assistance – Finding Help (2025 Update)

Posted on Thursday, 17th July 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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Apply for Retirement on OPM’s Online Application Service

Posted on Friday, 27th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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 fill out the SF 2801 online. Only those with a .gov email address can access the new application portal.     I tried […]

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2026 COLA Estimates & Retirement Processing Update

Posted on Thursday, 12th June 2025 by Dennis Damp

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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 […]

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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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A Potential Federal Retirement Tsunami – The DOGE Impact

Posted on Friday, 3rd January 2025 by Dennis Damp

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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., to discuss their plan to slash government regulations and streamline the Federal executive branch. They will lead Donald Trump’s administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They won’t hold cabinet positions and will function outside government to advise the new administration on […]

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A 2024 Retiree’s Reflections, Thoughts, and Comments

Posted on Friday, 13th December 2024 by Dennis Damp

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I close out each year with a few last-minute updates and observations. My next article won’t be published until early January. It’s time to celebrate the holidays and just sit back and relax. At the age of 75, soon to be 76, I realize just how fortunate we are, and much of that is thanks […]

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Retirement Progression – One Day at a Time to Infinity

Posted on Friday, 15th March 2024 by Dennis Damp

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I felt liberated from the day-to-day work schedule of the past 40 plus years when I first retired, and I see this excitement in new retirees that I encounter.  Most, with some reservations, feel such a sense of elation when they walk out the door for the last time and realize their new life begins […]

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Considering Your Options – Should You Stay the Course?

Posted on Friday, 2nd February 2024 by Dennis Damp

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A Federal Employee’s Dilemma Is the grass greener on the other side? Humm, maybe, depending on the circumstances, yes and no!  If you’re referring to Ireland, yes, their grass is literally greener than most. When it comes to a career change proceed with caution, especially when considering federal employment’s exceptional pay and benefits. In my […]

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