Federal Employees
Retirement Planning for Federal Employees
Federal employees have one of the most complex retirement landscapes in the country: FERS pension calculations, TSP withdrawal strategy, Social Security supplement timing, FEHB carry-over, and Roth conversion windows. Most federal workers reach retirement without optimizing any of these. Ten Point Financial Group helps federal employees model the integrated retirement picture before they file.
FERS + TSP + SS
Three coordinated income streams
Free
Strategy session
Integrated planning
All sources, one plan
Why Federal Employees
Federal retirement planning isn't private-sector retirement planning with a different name. FERS has its own annuity formula, special retirement supplements, and specific MRA (Minimum Retirement Age) rules. TSP has unique withdrawal options. FEHB transition to Medicare requires specific decisions. Most generic advisors don't know these dynamics. We work with federal employees on the integration — coordinating FERS election with TSP withdrawal sequencing with Social Security timing with FEHB+Medicare coordination.
How we help
FERS Annuity Election
Single vs survivor benefit options, lump-sum credit, refunds, redeposits. The election affects lifetime benefits by tens of thousands. We model the options with your spouse's longevity and other income.
TSP Withdrawal Strategy
TSP withdrawal options changed dramatically in 2019. The right strategy depends on tax bracket, other income, and required minimum distributions. We coordinate with your CPA on tax-efficient sequencing.
Special Retirement Supplement
If you retire before 62, the FERS Special Retirement Supplement bridges to Social Security. Earned income subjects it to the earnings test. We help plan around it.
FEHB → Medicare Coordination
When to enroll in Medicare alongside FEHB is a major decision. Most federal retirees keep FEHB. Some scenarios make Medicare-primary the better choice. We walk through the trade-offs.
Roth Conversion Windows
The years between federal retirement and RMD age (73) are often the highest-leverage Roth conversion years. We model multi-year tax impact with your CPA.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take FERS with full survivor benefit?+
Depends on your spouse's longevity, their own retirement income, and life insurance alternatives. Full survivor reduces your benefit ~10%. Partial reduces less but provides smaller survivor coverage. We model the options with your specific situation.
Should I keep FEHB or switch to Medicare at 65?+
Most federal retirees keep FEHB as primary or secondary. FEHB is generally richer than Medicare alone. But Medicare-primary + FEHB-secondary can be more cost-effective in some cases. The specifics matter.
When can I withdraw from TSP without penalty?+
Federal retirees who separate after age 55 can withdraw from TSP without the 10% early withdrawal penalty (the so-called Rule of 55, though it works slightly differently for federal employees). RMDs start at 73.
Are TSP investments better or worse than the private sector?+
TSP has some of the lowest expense ratios of any retirement plan in America. Investment options are limited (5 funds + lifecycle funds), but cost is excellent. Most federal employees should keep money in TSP unless they need specific investment options it doesn't offer.
Learn more
Free federal employee retirement review
Bring your FERS estimate, TSP balance, and any specific questions. We'll model your integrated retirement picture and identify optimization opportunities.
Educational content only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice. All services are provided by licensed professionals. Coverage decisions depend on individual circumstances.