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Is the Federal Retirement Supplement Right for You? Here's What You Need to Know!

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Retirement is a big step, and when you work for the federal government, planning for it can get a little tricky. One option you might have heard of is the Federal Retirement Supplement . This supplement helps bridge the gap between your regular income and your full pension, especially if you're planning to retire before you reach the age of 62. But is it right for you? Let’s break it down to help you make an informed decision. How Does the Federal Retirement Supplement Work? The amount you receive from the Federal Retirement Supplement depends on several factors, including how long you worked for the federal government and your high-3 salary. Your high-3 salary is the average of your highest-paid three years of service. Once you retire, the supplement is calculated based on a percentage of this high-3 salary. It’s not an exact number and can change from year to year depending on your circumstances, such as the federal budget and your years of service. The payment is designed to be ...

Understanding FERS Offset Social Security and How It Improves Your Retirement Income?

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  When preparing for retirement, federal employees face unique challenges that make retirement planning more complex. One important factor is the FERS offset social security . But what exactly does it mean, and how can it improve your retirement income? In this article, we’ll break it down and help you understand how FERS offset works and why it’s a crucial part of your federal retirement strategy. What Is FERS Offset social security? Federal employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) often have their social security benefits offset. This means that when you qualify for social security, the amount you receive could be reduced based on your FERS pension. To put it simply, the FERS offset social security reduces your social security benefits to account for the pension you’re already receiving through FERS. The idea is to prevent a “double-dipping” situation, where you’re getting both full social security benefits and a pension based on your government service...

Top 5 Mistakes Federal Employees Make with Social Security

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  Federal retirement and social security planning can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to understanding how Social Security fits into your future benefits. Many federal employees make mistakes that could affect their retirement income. Here are the top five mistakes to avoid so you can make the most of your Social Security benefits. 1. Not Understanding the Impact of the FERS Offset One common mistake among federal employees is not understanding the FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) offset. The FERS offset reduces the amount of Social Security you receive if you work for the government. If you’re part of FERS, you’ll pay into Social Security, but when it comes time to collect, your monthly benefit might be lower than it would be for someone outside the federal system. This is because FERS benefits supplement Social Security, and the offset can reduce your Social Security payments. 2. Claiming Social Security Too Early A lot of federal employees make the mistake o...