Credit Unions Provide Assistance for Furloughed Federal Employees While the programs vary, some credit unions are offering no-interest or low-interest short-term bridge loans, penalty-free early withdrawals on savings certificates, and free financial counseling . . . more Advantages and Disadvantages of 529 College Savings Plans One of the ways to help families save for college costs is the 529 College Savings Plan. The author outlines many of the advantages of 529 plans -- and a few disadvantages. . . . more Strategies to Maximize Social Security Retirement Benefits Since most federal employees at some point after they retire will elect to receive Social Security, federal benefits expert, Ed Zurndorfer, presents three strategies for employees -- particularly FERS employees -- to maximize their Social Security retirement benefit . . . more Is OPM Processing Federal Employee Retirement Claims on Time? Last week, the Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management gave testimony to the House oversight committee regarding the on-going backlog of processing federal employee retirement claims . . . more OPM Update: Reducing Backlog of Retirement Processing Claims The Office of Personnel Management released an update on its challenge to accelerate the processing of federal retirement claims . . . more OPM Updates Information on FERS Revised Annuity Employee (FERS-RAE) The "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012" makes two significant changes to the Federal Employee's Retirement System (FERS). Beginning in 2013, new employees (as designated in the statute) will have to pay higher employee contributions . . . more More federal retirement articles

2013 Federal Leave Chart / Record / Calendar Keep track of your 2013 leave with this handy calendar -- downloadable in PDF, Excel spreadsheet, and a new app for mobile devices . . . more 2013 Federal Holidays Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes these public holidays for federal employees in 2013. . . . more 2013 Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees and Annuitants The guide tells you how much money you can save by changing -- or by staying in -- your health insurance plan. It summarizes thousands of facts about the plans to simplify your choice. Some agencies have arranged access to the guide for their employees. . . . more Federal Employee Pay Freeze Calculator An employee group has created an online calculator to help all federal employees understand the true long-term costs to their wallet from an extended pay freeze . . . more More federal retirement resources