A Little-Know Opportunity Can Increase Your Retirement Income

http://www.psretirement.com/voluntary-contribution-program-vcd/ The Voluntary Contribution Program In my research I have heard the Voluntary Contribution Program (VCP) described as: “The Best Kept Secret in CSRS”, “The hidden Treasure That No One Seems to Find” and “A Golden Opportunity to Create Tax Free Income”. There is but one group of people in the United States that hasRead… Read more »

Older People and Work

http://www.psretirement.com/older-people-and-work Do older people work to survive or because they want to stay in the game? I believe the answer is YES to both. In our society we segment people often without giving it much thought. There are older people in the Congress, even in the White House just moments away from the most powerfulRead… Read more »

Social Security – Now Or Later

http://www.psretirement.com/now-or-later/ There was a candy years ago called Now-Later. I believe it was called Now-Later because if you chewed it now, it lasted so long you would still have it for later. Well, when it comes to when to collect Social Security benefits I am not so sure if the Now-Later theory actually works orRead… Read more »

Applying For Benefits – When A Federal Employee Dies

http://www.psretirement.com/applying-for-benefits/ When a federal employee dies family members or representatives must apply for benefits. Benefits are not automatically distributed. The forms differ depending on the retirement system your deceased family member was a part of. Standard Form (SF) 2800 is used for those individuals who were covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). StandardRead… Read more »

Death and Former Spouses

http://www.psretirement.com/death-and-former-spouses/ You might say what does a former spouse have to do with the business of the deceased federal employee. You might be surprised under certain circumstances, that the former spouse may have more to do with the business than you can imagine. Actually the Basic Employee Death Benefit (BEDB) may be payable to theRead… Read more »

John Stewart, You’re Getting Your Wish

In one of the many (justified) rants that John Stewart has treated us to on the Daily Show, he asked the question: If we could take the same urgency, enthusiasm, and clarity of vision you need to get elected to government and apply those to governing, could we fix some things? Yes, we [expletive deleted]Read… Read more »

Should You Be a Mentor?

If you’re considering becoming a mentor, let me start by saying good for you! It can be such a rewarding experience watching and helping someone grow. If you’re feeling the pull to mentor, I believe you should trust your gut. You don’t have to be an expert at coaching or the top of your fieldRead… Read more »

Questions You’d Ask Your Boss — Anonymously

I recently heard a segment on the radio in which listeners submitted questions that they would ask their spouse or significant other anonymously. The submissions ranged from, “What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told your spouse?” to things much more scandalous. My first reaction was that if you have to ask your spouse anonymously, thenRead… Read more »