Retired Pay World

Just How Long Have You Been In Civil Service?

Recently we talked a bit about the practicalities and legalities of what a federal employee’s actual “basic pay” really is.  Basic Pay is of course very important if for no other reason than it becomes one of the single biggest factors that determines how large an employee’s annuity (retirement check) will be.  If your “high [...]

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Last post I was pretty disappointed in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for taking so long to “study” how they would pay veterans the money already due them.
Well I’m not totally an pessimist and as a government annuitant I certainly am grateful for the benefits I do receive. So [...]

Gray Area Retirement Primer

Some may have noticed there have been no posts here for along time.  I’m not apologizing, I was busy with a big move … Colorado to Marilao in the province of Bulacan, just north of Manila, Republic of the Philippines.  Some of course might ask why and my answer is family reasons, personal desire (I’ve [...]

Just What Will You Get From Social Security?

When I started writing here I thought everything was going to focus on divorce property valuations and division.  But a blog or any web site has to mold itself to the needs of its readers.  A majority of my search engine visitors and a majority of the visitors who stay and read more than a [...]

Remember that Honey and Bunny both Rhyme with Money

NYC Woman Charged With Conning Man, 85

Friday, October 6, 2006

(10-06) 10:40 PDT New York (AP) —
A teen age vixen conned an 85-year-old man out of as much as a $1 million during a two-year relationship, and he may not have been her only victim, Queens prosecutors said. Louis Bruno of Queens said he met Natasha [...]

How Much Does The Military Make?

Here’s an article that makes you think.  The City Of New York, both victim and hero of 9-11 and “proprietor” of some of the world’s best emergency services ought to be taking care of their employees.  Well, they’re taking care of them, all right.  Taking care of them the way the bull “takes care” of [...]

Coke and Pepsi Have Nothing On These COLAs

Federal retirees, from both Civil Service and the Military are entitled to COLA’s — Cost Of Living Adjustments — in their pensions and annuities.  Hmmm, reminds me, I had better do a post soon on the difference between retirement pay and annuities.  These retirements are special in comparison to many in the run-of-the mill commercial [...]

Divorce Attorneys Out Of Business?

North Carolina entrepreneur looks to offer divorce insurance
September 8, 2006
Company is currently pursuing a business method patent on the new insurance offering.
APEX, NC – If John Logan has his way, sometime in the very near future, people across the globe will be able to purchase insurance coverage against the potential financial devastation often caused by [...]

TSP — New Withdrawal and Transfer Considerations

Pension reforms allow TSP transfers to Roth IRAs
By TIM KAUFFMAN
August 22, 2006
Beginning in 2008, Thrift Savings Plan participants will be able to transfer their TSP savings directly to a Roth IRA and avoid paying taxes on the funds when they’re withdrawn, under pension reforms signed into law Aug. 17.
Currently, TSP participants wishing to transfer savings [...]

TSP — New Withdrawal and Transfer Considerations

Pension reforms allow TSP transfers to Roth IRAs
By TIM KAUFFMAN
August 22, 2006
Beginning in 2008, Thrift Savings Plan participants will be able to transfer their TSP savings directly to a Roth IRA and avoid paying taxes on the funds when they’re withdrawn, under pension reforms signed into law Aug. 17.
Currently, TSP participants wishing to transfer savings [...]

Who Needs a Security Clearance Lawyer, Do It Yourself, It’s Cheaper

I’ve been doing some in-depth research on the US Security Clearance system, with a focus on clearances for Civil Service personnel and especially, US government contractors.
I haven’t completed the bulk of the task yet, but I have come across a finding I think is sort of amazing … a large percentage of folks, denied their [...]

TSP — Something to Keep Track Of

TSP officials weigh automatic enrollment of employees
By Amelia Gruberagruber@govexec.com
Thrift Savings Plan officials are reviewing recently enacted pension overhaul legislation to determine if they should seek to implement some of its features that apply to the private sector but not the federal plan — including policies on automatic enrollment.
The reform measure, signed by President Bush [...]

TSP — Thrift Savings Plan — Division and Conservation

The TPS (TSP) is a retirement investment vehicle similar … but certainly very different from .. a non-Federal employee’s 401K Plan.  A majority of Federal Workers have invested in the TSP already.  For those under the FERS (Federal Employee Retirement System) it is a prime component of their retirement assets.  Military personnel have had the [...]

More About Those Pesky Points

Yesterday we got into a few of the details about Reserve Component Retirement Points and why the standard months married over months of service might not be the right way to go when calculating options for dividing a reserve component retirement annuity.  here’s a few general pension division rules and why I think some finesse is [...]

A Few More Thoughts On Reserve Component Retirement

I’m sure I cured a lot of people’s insomnia yesterday with my big post on Reserve Military Component retirement. Just in case there’s still a few of you with insomnia, I’ll post another short one at bedtime here in Sunny Colorado.
One thrust to all my posting and study in this government retired pay area [...]

Military Retirement — Special Six-Part Series — Part 5 — Spouse Benefits

Previous articles are here:

Introduction

In return for years of service, the military offers an array of benefits for retirees, including a pension adjusted every year for inflation, money for college, health-care coverage and more. These days the options for military retirement are even more complex than most any civilian plan. While some benefits are tiny, others [...]