FedHorizon
Plain-English guides on FERS, TSP, military buyback, VERA/VSIP, and every major decision in your federal career.
Get My Free Retirement Report →Survivor Benefits
The full FERS survivor benefit costs 10% of your annuity and pays your spouse 50% after you die. Here's the exact cost, the break-even analysis, and when declining is the right call.
FEHB / Health Benefits
Keep FEHB after retirement with the government still paying 70–75% of your premium — but only if you meet the five-year rule. Here's what changes, how Medicare coordinates at 65, and the most expensive mistakes federal retirees make.
Federal Compensation
A GS-12 Step 5 in Washington, DC earning $116,070 in salary carries roughly $165,000–$170,000 in estimated total compensation. Here's every component, priced out with 2026 figures.
VERA / Early Retirement
VERA gives you early retirement without the 5% penalty — but it locks in a smaller pension permanently. Here's the complete framework: what VERA costs, what it's worth, and how to evaluate your numbers before the window closes.
FERS Retirement
Use the exact OPM formula to calculate your FERS pension. Enter your High-3, years of service, and retirement age to see your gross monthly annuity.
FERS Supplement
The FERS Supplement pays $800–$1,500/month to eligible retirees — then ends permanently at 62. Who qualifies, the formula, and how to plan for the cliff.
Retirement Timing
Should FERS employees retire at 57 or wait until 62? The pension multiplier, service credit, and break-even analysis reveal what waiting is actually worth.
Free instant estimate
See your actual numbers — not a rule of thumb.
FERS pension, supplement eligibility, and income timeline. No account required.