@FedSmith

Want to be a more informed federal employee or retiree? Follow @FedSmith

fedsmith.com
Joined December 2008
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  • Following63
  • Followers5.9K
4.3KMedia
The Hidden Risk of Playing It Safe: Why Federal Employees Over-Rely on the G Fund fedsmith.com/2026/10/20/hidd… fedsmith.com/2026/10/20/hidd…

The Hidden Risk Of Playing It Safe: Why Federal Employees Over-Rely On The G Fund | FedSmith.com

The G Fund never goes down in value, but could it be silently killing your future retirement?

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OPM Finalizes Rule Eliminating Time-in-Grade for GS Promotions fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/opm-… fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/opm-…

OPM Finalizes Rule Eliminating Time-in-Grade For GS Promotions | FedSmith.com

OPM has ended the 52-week time-in-grade wait for GS promotions. Here is what changes and what does not.

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Looking Beyond Premiums: Understanding the Real Cost of Your Health Plan fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/look… fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/look…

Looking Beyond Premiums: Understanding The Real Cost Of Your Health Plan | FedSmith.com

Learn to choose the best FEHB health plan by weighing premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket costs for total yearly expenses.

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The State Where You Retire Could Cost You Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/reti… fedsmith.com/2026/10/19/reti…

The State Where You Retire Could Cost You Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars | FedSmith.com

A side-by-side look at Maryland and Pennsylvania shows how much retirement income taxes can cost federal employees who retire near a state line.

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A $90 Deposit From Social Security? What Federal Retirees Should Know fedsmith.com/2026/10/16/a-90… fedsmith.com/2026/10/16/a-90…

A $90 Deposit From Social Security? What Federal Retirees Should Know | FedSmith.com

A one-time $90 deposit may be a Medicare Part B premium rebate. Here's who qualifies, when payments arrive, and how it differs from FEHB reimbursements.

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Retired in the last year? Your first COLA won't be the full amount. It's prorated, and it hinges on a date many new retirees don't think about. Here's how to figure out yours. #FederalRetirees #COLA youtu.be/hcCmAyDVGEo

Your First COLA Depends on One Date — and It’s Not Your Retirement Date

Retired in the last year? Your first COLA won't be the full 3.6% or...

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7 Social Security Guides Federal Employees Should Read Before Retiring fedsmith.com/2026/10/16/7-so… fedsmith.com/2026/10/16/7-so…

7 Social Security Guides Federal Employees Should Read Before Retiring | FedSmith.com

SSA points federal employees to seven publications covering claiming age, benefit calculations, applying online, and working in retirement.

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The One Factor That Determines Retirement Success fedsmith.com/2026/10/15/one-… fedsmith.com/2026/10/15/one-…
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Is the Federal Workforce Repeating a 1990s Downsizing Mistake? fedsmith.com/2026/10/15/fede… fedsmith.com/2026/10/15/fede…
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2027 COLA Is 3.6%: How Much More Federal Retirees Will Receive fedsmith.com/2026/10/14/2027… fedsmith.com/2026/10/14/2027…

2027 COLA Is 3.6%: How Much More Federal Retirees Will Receive | FedSmith.com

The 2027 COLA is 3.6% for CSRS and Social Security and 2.6% for FERS. See how much more federal retirees will receive and how the COLA was calculated.

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How to Compare FEHB Plans Without Becoming Overwhelmed fedsmith.com/2026/10/14/how-… fedsmith.com/2026/10/14/how-…

How To Compare FEHB Plans Without Becoming Overwhelmed | FedSmith.com

Simplify FEHB plan selection by following these simple steps.

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The 2027 COLA is official, and for the sixth year in a row, FERS retirees won't get the same increase as CSRS retirees. Here's what each group gets and why the gap exists. New video: youtu.be/qIC4mjrgiJo #FederalRetirees #FERS

2027 COLA Announced: 3.6% for CSRS, 2.6% for FERS

The 2027 cost-of-living adjustment for federal retirees is official...

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Five Myths Federal Employees Should Reconsider When Evaluating Their Coverage fedsmith.com/2026/10/13/five… fedsmith.com/2026/10/13/five…

Five Myths Federal Employees Should Reconsider When Evaluating Their Coverage | FedSmith.com

Federal benefits offer a strong foundation, but do they cover every risk? These are five common insurance myths federal employees may want to reconsider.

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What Blue Cross FEHB Coverage Costs Federal Employees in 2027 fedsmith.com/2026/10/13/what… fedsmith.com/2026/10/13/what…

What Blue Cross FEHB Coverage Costs Federal Employees In 2027 | FedSmith.com

Blue Cross FEP premiums rise 8.6% to 11% in 2027. See the new rates for Standard, Basic, and FEP Blue Focus, plus how much they have grown since 2013.

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Blue Cross FEP premiums for 2027 are out. But the bigger story is what's happened over the last five years compared with the nine before that. Here's what Standard, Basic, and Focus enrollees will pay. #FEHB #FederalEmployees youtu.be/SQS70qOKt4s

2027 Blue Cross FEHB Premiums: What Standard, Basic, and Focus Will Cost

Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Federal Employee Program is the larges...

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How Federal Employees Can Build a Financial Cushion Before the Next Shutdown fedsmith.com/2026/10/12/how-… fedsmith.com/2026/10/12/how-…

How Federal Employees Can Build A Financial Cushion Before The Next Shutdown | FedSmith.com

Federal shutdowns are unpredictable, but financial preparedness isn't. Here's how to build a savings cushion before the next funding lapse.

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Federal Judge Orders BOP Union Contract Restored. Agency Terminates It Again. fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/unio… fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/unio…

Federal Judge Orders BOP Union Contract Restored. Agency Terminates It Again. | FedSmith.com

After a federal judge ordered BOP to restore its union contract, the agency terminated it again. A contempt motion and new legal arguments intensify the dispute.

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2027 FEHB Premiums: The Plans With the Biggest Increases and Decreases fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/2027… fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/2027…

2027 FEHB Premiums: The Plans With The Biggest Increases And Decreases | FedSmith.com

The average FEHB increase is 10.9%, but plans range from +84% to -42%. Here are the 2027 premiums worth knowing before Open Season starts Nov. 9.

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Former Federal Employee Pleads Guilty to $194 Million Fraud Built on a Fake Classified Program fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/form… fedsmith.com/2026/10/09/form…

Former Federal Employee Pleads Guilty To $194 Million Fraud Built On A Fake Classified Program |...

298 gold bars, four South Florida properties and a classified program that never existed. Inside the $194 million fraud a federal employee admitted to.

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Is $1 Million in TSP Enough for a Comfortable Retirement? fedsmith.com/2026/10/08/is-1… fedsmith.com/2026/10/08/is-1…

Is $1 Million In TSP Enough For A Comfortable Retirement? | FedSmith.com

A million dollars in TSP sounds impressive, but is it actually enough to retire comfortably? Here is how federal employees can find their real answer.

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