Fed Options

For federal employees, leaving service earlier than expected means big retirement decisions on tight timelines. And for advisors, it means stepping in with clear guidance when clients need it most.

Get the updates and insights you need — subscribe to the Fed Options newsletter.

https://fedoptions.co/fed-options-newsletter-for-federal-retirement-experts/

In our recent newsletter, we covered planning for early‑out offers and the tax season crunch.

Subscribe now and keep an eye out for an exclusive subscriber discount in our April newsletters!

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In the last newsletter, we covered three early‑retirement paths federal employees can use: MRA+10, both Immediate and Postponed options, and Deferred retirement. Each path comes with its own rules, limitations, and long‑term planning considerations — and understanding the differences is key.

Next week, we’re focusing on what voluntary benefits are available to federal employees. We’ll walk through the private‑sector options that can help fill the gaps federal benefits don’t cover.

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OPM’s retirement backlog is still slowing things down for federal employees, especially those submitted by paper. Processing times are uneven, and interim payments can stretch longer than expected.

The new Online Retirement Application (ORA) was designed to cut down on errors, speed up reviews, and give retirees clearer visibility into where their application stands. But errors can still be made that cause annoying delays.

In next week’s newsletter, we’re breaking down the three early retirement paths every financial planner working with FERS employees should know:

MRA+10
Postponed retirement
Deferred retirement

Want the full breakdown delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe - https://fedoptions.co/fed-options-newsletter-for-federal-retirement-experts/

Last week we covered college planning for federal families in our biweekly newsletter. Next week we’re going over OPM’s retirement backlog, the new Online Retirement Application, and a free Federal Retirement Checklist for your client meetings.

Subscribe to the Fed Options newsletter to stay ahead of what’s impacting your federal clients.



https://fedoptions.co/fed-options-newsletter-for-federal-retirement-experts/

The TSP is often a federal family’s largest liquid asset, yet it and other benefits can still get stuck in probate. This means transfer to beneficiaries is not automatic and can be a long, drawn-out process. Without a beneficiary on file, survivors face delays they shouldn’t have to deal with. Download the checklists below for what to do to prepare and help employees avoid the probate process as much as possible!

If you do one thing this week: have clients check their TSP beneficiary and complete the other 3 beneficiary forms as well.

Want more practical guidance for your federal clients? Subscribe to the newsletter! Next week, we’re covering college planning.

Checklists for Federal Families | Subscribe to the Fed Options Newsletter Download checklist for survivor benefits, for federal employees and retirees as well as for families of recently deceased loved one who served the federal government.

ICYMI - OPM has announced that the Federal Academic Alliance will end on January 30, 2026, shutting down tuition discounts and waived application fees that were available to federal workers and their families through dozens of partner schools.

Next week’s newsletter will feature a critical checklist for employees, retirees, spouses, and family members on what to do when a federal employee, retiree, or their spouse passes away. From agency notifications to survivor benefits and FEHB changes, it’s a resource every advisor should have available to the federal clients.

Don’t miss out. Subscribe now to stay ahead of federal benefit changes and get resources to build your trust and credibility with the federal employees you serve. https://fedoptions.co/fed-options-newsletter-for-federal-retirement-experts/

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As we wrap up another year serving the professionals who support our federal workforce, all of us at Fed Options want to wish you a warm, joyful, and safe holiday season. Thank you for trusting us as your partner during a crazy year in the world of federal retirement, which included the longest government shutdown in history.

With the new year just around the corner, 2026 is shaping up to be another big year for federal benefits planning. Retirement planners will be guiding clients through several important updates, including the rollout of in‑plan Roth TSP conversions, the recently finalized 1.0% federal pay raise, and the new TSP contribution limits that will shape savings strategies for the year ahead. These changes create both challenges and opportunities and we’ll be here to help.

It’s also going to be an exciting time at Fed Options. We’re expanding and improving our educational resources, enhancing our advisor‑focused tools, and rolling out new ways to help you deliver deeper value to the federal workforce. More updates are coming soon!

If you want to stay informed, sharpen your expertise, and get advisor‑ready insights on every federal benefits change coming in 2026, https://links.fedoptions.co/sp/42d237a240d

Beginning in 2026, Roth TSP accounts will be REQUIRED for some federal employees, and there will be an option to convert some traditional TSP to ROTH, but there are tax consequences…..

This means:

High earners (those with an income exceeding the $150,000 limit for 2025) will be required to have a Roth side of their TSP above a certain contribution limit. Do you know what the limits are?

Roth conversions will come with a tax bill. The question for employees will be how much higher will their tax bill be if they choose to convert some money?

Do you want to know more about the TSP limits? How about being prepared to have the Roth conversion conversation?

The big deal here is taxes!

Sign up for our newsletter for the full details and learn how you can help federal employees now to be prepared for ALL the changes happening in 2026 to their TSP benefits.

Fed Options Newsletter for Federal Retirement Experts | Fed Options

🦃✨ Happy Thanksgiving!

We’re grateful for the amazing community of financial professionals who dedicate their time and expertise to helping federal employees build secure futures. May your holiday be full of good food, laughter, and meaningful moments with loved ones.