The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and

Transcription

The
CSRS and FERS
Benefits Calculator
and
Retirement Planner
Version 8.40
Decision Support Software LLC
P.O. Box 2368
Granite Bay, CA 95746
www.FedRetireSoftware.com
Page 1 of 133
Copyright © Decision Support Software LLC
Table of Contents
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What's New?
Program:
 Installation,
 Activation, and
 Deactivation (License Transfer Procedure)
Getting Started
Retirement Annuity (Retirement Benefit Calculations and Projections)
1. Retirement Eligibility
2. Creditable Service
3. High 3 Average
4. Military Service
5. Deposit
6. Redeposit
7. Benefits
8. FERS Supplement - Social Security
9. CSRS Offset - Social Security
10. WEP Calculation
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
 Contributions
 Growth
 Withdrawal
Insurance
 Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
 Long Term Care Insurance
Retirement Planner
 Annuity Income and Expenses at Retirement
 Income Analysis – From Government Sources Only
 Income Analysis – From All Sources
 Expense Analysis – From Government Sources Only
 Expense Analysis – From All Sources
 Combined Income and Expense Analysis
 Income Shortfall - Gap Filler Analysis
Professional Features
 Data Files
 Enter new client data
 Create custom report cover page
 Create either a paper or Adobe Acrobat Reader file - Federal Employee Benefits Analysis report
 Client files:
 Access:
 Store client file on the hard drive
 Retrieve client file from the hard drive
 Delete client files stored on the hard drive
 Import old client files from previous versions of the Benefits Calculator
 Backup client files to a CD
 Restore client files from a CD
 Agent quick form selection
 Agent Information
 Print client fact finder that can be customized and then used to collect data
Printing Reports
 Create custom report
 Create Adobe Acrobat Reader file
Import Personal Data from an earlier program - Trial and Personal PLUS
Disclaimer
License
Technical Support
Page 2 of 133
What's New in Version 8?
1. Computer Crash Protection (Professional version only):
47 of our Professional customers lost all their client files during 2007 because of a computer crash. All of their
client data was lost. To avoid this costly situation, Client File Backup on a CD and Client File Restore from a CD
is now available in version 8.00. Simply place a blank CD in your computer's drive, press the Backup Client Files
button, and all your client files are safely stored on a CD. If your computer should crash, place the CD in your
computer's drive and press the Restore Client Files button. You may use this same feature to transfer all your
client files from one computer to another.
2. Create Report Files in Adobe Acrobat Reader (Personal PLUS and Professional):
This was the most asked for professional capability we received in 2007. Our professional customers are
using the Internet more to send updated Federal Employee Benefits Analysis (FEBA) reports, created by the
Benefits Calculator / Retirement Planner, to their clients by email attachment. Now in the new version 8.34,
simply select Create an Adobe Acrobat file, press the Create Custom Report button and your client's FEBA
report is created and is automatically displayed in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader (all versions). When viewing
the report in the Adobe Acrobat Reader, just press the Send Email button, and your FEBA report becomes an
email attachment that is ready to send to your client. Just add a note, enter your client's email address and
press the send email button. Your client will have his/her report in seconds. In addition, you can store the
updated reports in your computer for future reference. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for software
to create an Adobe Acrobat file! Our Personal PLUS customers can now use this capability, in the 8.34 release,
to save report scenarios in Adobe Acrobat files.
3. Greatly Expanded Capabilities with the Retirement Planner (Personal PLUS and Professional
versions):
In the 2007 version of the Benefits Calculator / Retirement Planner, the Retirement Planner was introduced. It
became an immediate hit. For the first time, our Personal PLUS and Professional customers were able to
add personal income and expenses with CSRS or FERS benefits income and expenses. The Retirement
Planner calculators create on screen spreadsheets and graphs that display future projections of all federal
benefits and all other income and expenses entered in the Retirement Planner. Income from: salary and CSRS/
FERS Annuity, TSP, FERS Supplement and Social Security is added to income from: part-time work, personal
savings, investments, rental income, and other sources. Government expenses: annuity penalties, survivor
benefit, FEGLI, health insurance, long term care insurance, federal and state income taxes are added to
expenses from: housing, utilities, food, clothing, entertainment, travel, phone, car, and many others. 20 new
report pages display retirement years projections in spreadsheets and graphs format. The reports cover
all income and expense during the retirement years. It is easy to spot if expense overtakes income during the
retirement years so that adjustments in strategy can be made now to avoid these situations.
4. New capabilities:
Many future, 8.xx updates are under development. As with previous versions of the Benefits Calculator and
Retirement Planner, all version 8.xx updates are free for our version 8.xx customers. Click on this link to view all
current version 8 updates: http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/CalculatorUpdates1.htm. When starting the Benefits
Calculator, look for this pop-up message. Click on the YES button to check for new, free program updates.
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Program Installation, Activation and Deactivation (License Transfer
Procedure)
Installation
CD - Automatic (Disk runs automatically when inserted into CD drive):
1. Click on the Install button, and
2. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
CD - Manual (Disk does not run automatically when inserted into CD drive):
1. Click on Window's START button,
2. Click on RUN,
3. Click on BROWSE,
4. At top, click on DOWN ARROW at right of Look in: box,
5. Click on CD drive that displays BENCAL,
6. Click on INSTALL.EXE,
7. Click on OPEN,
8. Click on OK, and
9. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
Activation
After you install the program, it will run in a 14-day Personal PLUS free trial mode. During or after the 14-day
trial period you can permanently unlock all the features of the Personal PLUS or Professional version by
following steps 2 and 3 shown here.
Activation Procedure:
1. Run the Benefits Calculator:
2. Click on the #3, "Get Activation Code," button (shown above).
3. The Activation / Deactivation Request From is displayed (shown below)
4. Fill-in the information requested in the Activation / Deactivation Request Form,
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5. Click the Email or Fax button to send the completed form
6. An activation number will be sent to you by email or fax.
7. Immediately after we receive your email, our email system will send a "receipt of email message" to you,
a. Check your email for the "receipt of email message".
b. If you don't receive the "receipt of email message," then we could not get through to you (likely blocked
by your email SPAM filter)
8. An activation number will be emailed to the email address you provided, or the activation number will be faxed
to the fax number that you provided.
If you can't get the Activation / Deactivation Request From to send an email when you click on the Send Email
button, you may have a Firewall, SPAM and/or a Virus protection program that prevents the Benefits Calculator
from sending an email directly from the Activation Number Request Form.
Please follow the substitute procedure below if you would like to submit the Activation / Deactivation Request
from by fax.
1. Click on the Print Fax button,
2. Windows Notepad program should automatically start and display your Activation Number Request Form
(shown below).
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3. When the Fax Form above is displayed in the Notepad program:
(a) Click on EDIT in the Notepad program,
(b) Click on SELECT ALL in the Notepad program,
(c) Click on EDIT in the Notepad program, and
(d) Click on COPY in the Notepad program
(e) Click on Exit in the Notepad program
4. Run your email program and:
(a) Create a NEW email,
(b) Place the cursor in the Message Area of the new email,
(c) Click on EDIT, and
(d) Click on PASTE
(e) All of the information in the Notepad Fax Form will now be in the email message area,
(f ) Type in the Decision Support Software email address:
,
(g) Type in the subject: Activation Request, and
(h) Send the email to My Federal Retirement to receive the Activation Number.
(i) Immediately after we receive your email, our email system will send a "receipt of email
message" to you,
1. Check your email for the "receipt of email message".
2. If you don't receive the "receipt of email message," then we could not get through to you
(likely blocked by your email SPAM filter)
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Deactivation - License Transfer Procedure:
The software license is for a single computer. Please, see the License message under the Legal menu in the
Benefits Calculator program.
If you would like to deactivate the program license on the computer that is currently activated and move it to a
different computer, please send an email to Decision Support Software for
the procedure to do this.
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Getting Started with the
CSRS and FERS
Benefits Calculator
and
Retirement Planner
Welcome to the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner software program.
You will find that it is the most powerful federal retirement benefits program available. By using
it, you will enter your personal data, analyze your retirement benefits, and plan for an affordable
retirement in just a few short hours. This is just the beginning. As you study the reports and
become more aware of the details of each of the retirement benefits elements, you will change
existing data and view the results to determine the impact on your retirement plan. You will print
reports that will provide detailed charts and graphs that reveal the details of initial and yearly
changes to your benefits during your pre-retirement and retirement years. When you change your
data, new reports can be printed and you can compare the results with previous reports.
You will quickly master the program by following the steps in this, "Getting Started," section. In
addition by following the steps here, you will avoid problems encountered when data is not
entered in the proper order.
Getting Help
1. This full help manual can be found:
a. In the Benefits Calculator program - click on HELP ==>Benefits Calculator Help
Document, or
b. Click Windows Start Button ==> Programs ==> Federal Retirement 2008 ==> Ben
Calc and Ret Plan v8.
2. Instant help is available on any form. When you need help, select QUICK Help on the menu
when working on a form.
3. Program Problems: http://www.FedRetireSoftware.com/SUPPORT.htm,
4. Installation or Activation Problems: http://www.FedRetireSoftware.com/FAQ.htm,
5. Email Support: http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/feedback.htm
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Data entered into the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner must be input
in the sequence shown below. This is required because some input forms get data from other
forms, and failure to follow this sequence will result in data input and reporting errors.
Follow the sequence below, and place a check mark at the end of each step after you complete it.
1. Gather and enter your personal data on the Federal Employee Benefits - Data Sheet ___
Benefits Calculator
2. Enter Retirement Annuity Data:
a. Retirement Eligibility (CSRS and FERS) ___
b. Creditable Service - Sick Leave (CSRS only) ___
c. High Three Average (CSRS and FERS) ___
d. Benefits (CSRS and FERS) ___
e. Social Security - FERS Supplement (FERS only) ___
f. Social Security - CSRS Offset (CSRS Offset only) ___
3. Enter Thrift Savings Plan Data:
a. Contributions ___
b. Growth ___
c. Withdrawal ___
4. Enter Insurance Data:
a. Federal Employee Group Life Insurance ___
b. Health Insurance ___
c. Long Term Care Insurance ___
Retirement Planner
5. Enter Retirement Planner Data:
A. Income:
a. Annuity at Retirement (data comes from 2, 3, and 4 above) ___
b. Government Sources (data comes from 2 and 3 above) ___
c. Other Sources ___
B. Expense:
a. Government Sources (data comes from 2, 3, and 4 above) ___
b. Other Sources ___
C. Income and Expenses:
a. Government Sources (data comes from Retirement Planner: Income and
Expenses) ___
b. Other Sources (data comes from Retirement Planner: A. Income and
B. Expenses) ___
c. All Sources (data comes from Retirement Planner: C. Income and Expenses) ___
Reports
6. View Reports: The previous page presents the sequence to enter your personal data into the
Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner. After you have checked all steps in the sequence you
are ready to view the report pages.
a. In the Benefits Calculator click on FILE ==> Print Report
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Gather Your Personal Data
Name: _________________________________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Address _________________________________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
City ____________________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
State _______ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Zip Code ______________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Retirement Annuity
Retirement System (circle one): CSRS / FERS / TRANSFER
If Transfer, Transfer Date: ______________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Employee Type (circle one): REGULAR / POSTAL [FEGLI Form] / AIR CONTROL / LAW / FIRE
[Annuities ==> Form 1]
Retirement Type (circle one): REGULAR / OPTIONAL / MANDATORY [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Birth Date: ____________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
Service Computation Date (SCD) (to include military time): ___________________ [Annuities
==> Form 1]
Desired Retirement Date: ____________________ [Annuities ==> Form 1]
CSRS Sick Leave Hours to be Saved Each Pay Period (Hours - biweekly): 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
[Annuities ==> Form 2]
CSRS Sick Leave Saved To Date (Hours) ____________ [Annuities ==> Form 2]
Employee's Current Annual Salary $____________ [Annuities ==> Form 3 and TSP Form]
Include locality pay for GS in the 48 continuous states, night differential and environmental pay for wage grade.
AUO and LEAP for Law Enforcement.. Physicians and Dentists under Title 38 at the VA, special pay)
Employee's Expected Annual Salary Increase (%) Each Year ___________% [Annuities ==>
Form 3 and TSP]
Do you have active military service? From _____________ To _____________ [Annuities ==>
Form 4]
Survivor Benefit Desired: (1) CSRS: 0% to 100% ____%; (2) FERS (mark one): 0%___,
25%___ or 50%___ [Annuities ==> Form 7]
Monthly Social Security Benefit at Age 62 (FERS, Transfer, CSRS Offset ) $_____________
[Annuities ==> Form 8(FERS) or Form 9 =(CSRS Offset)]
Annual Social Security COLA (FERS, Transfer, CSRS Offset ) ________ % [Annuities ==> Form
8(FERS) or Form 9 =(CSRS Offset)]
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Thrift Savings Plan
Current Savings in Funds:
[TSP ==>Contributions]
C: $________, F: $________, G: $________,
I: $________, S: $________,
L Income: $_______, L 2010: $________,
L 2020: $_______, L 2030: $_______, L 2040: $_________
Investing:
Percent of Salary to invest each year:
_________%[TSP ==>Contributions]
Maximum: CSRS & FERS- IRS limit
Catch-up Contribution (eligible starting in year age 50 is reached):
$ _________ [TSP ==>Contributions]
($0 to $5,000)
Percent Invested in Each Fund: C: _______%, F: _______%, G : _______%,
[TSP ==>Contributions]
I: _______%, S: _______%, L Income: _______%
L 2010: ________% L 2020: _______% L 2030: _______%
L 2040: _________%
This is the percentage of the total to invest in each fund. The amounts entered must total 100%
Expected Rates of Return for each fund C: _______%, F: _______%,
[TSP ==>Growth]
I: _______%, S: _______%
G : _______%,
Withdrawal:
Withdrawal (mark one): (a) Lump Sum: ___, (b) Monthly Amount: ___, or (c) Annuity: ___
[TSP ==>Withdrawal]
If (b) Monthly Amount, then Allocate TSP Savings into the TSP Funds:
C: _______%, F: _______%, G: _______%, I: _______%, S: _______%,
L Income: _______%(must total 100%)
[TSP ==>Withdrawal]
Withdrawal to start at age: Year: _______, Month: _______
[TSP ==>Growth]
INSURANCE
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Coverage
[Insurance ==> FEGLI]
Basic: Yes / No If Yes, Reduction at age 65 (pick one): None, 50%, 75%
Option A: Yes / No
Option B: Yes / No If Yes, How Much? 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 Times
Reduce After Age 65? Yes / No
Option C:
1. Spouse Covered: Yes / No If yes, How Much? 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 Times Coverage
Reduce After Age 65? Yes / No
2. Dependents Covered: Current Age: ____
Age: ____
Age: ____
Age: ____
Coverage Eligible after Age 22:
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Yes / No
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
[Insurance ==> Health Insurance]
Biweekly Health Insurance Cost: _______________________________
Average Annual Cost Increase (%) ________________
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Long Term Health Care
[Insurance ==> Long Term Care Insurance]
Name of Person to be Insured: ______________________________________ Age: ____
Daily Benefit Amount: ____________ ($50 to $300 in $25 increments (e.g., $50, $75, $100,
etc.)
Benefit Period (3 or 5 years): ______ Waiting Period (30 or 90 days): ________
Inflation Protection (please check only one):
____ Automatic Compound Inflation (ACI) Option
____ Future Purchase Option
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Enter Your Personal Data
Steps A and B are for Professional Users Only
A. For the Professional user, we have included sample retirement data so that you can view the various forms
and print the report pages that you may be interested in. You can get the sample data by selecting "View and
Print Sample Data" from the "Professional" menu item. We suggest that you do this first and read the help
pages for each form.
Professional Version only
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B. For the Professional user, when you are ready to enter your personal data, you must go to the
"Professional" menu and select "Enter New Data (Erase Current Data)."
Professional Version Only
This will clear all entries on all forms (including sample data from step A.). If you do not do this, you will mix your
client data with the sample data, and you will get erroneous results. Professional users must do this each
time you begin to enter new client information. If this is not done, you will mix the previous client's data
with the current client.
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The following steps are for Professional and Personal PLUS users:
C. The Benefits Calculator contains three major areas: Annuities, TSP and Insurance: Federal Employees
Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), and Long Term Care
(LTC) insurance.
The Annuities menu lists ten input forms in the order they should be worked (Retirement Eligibility is the first
form to be filled in).
CSRS must fill in forms:
1. Retirement Eligibility,
2. Creditable Service,
3. High 3 Average, and
7. Benefits.
FERS must fill in forms:
1. Retirement Eligibility,
3. High 3 Average,
7. Benefits and
8. Social Security - FERS Supplement.
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1. On the 1. Retirement Eligibility form, Birth date, Retirement - Service Computation Data (SCD) and
Retirement Date must be entered. This data is used on other forms. The Personal PLUS user will be allowed
to enter his / her birth date only once. Make sure it is correct.
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2. If you are a CSRS employee, then you should select the 2. Creditable Service form and enter your sick
leave information. No other information is needed to calculate your annuity.
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3. On the 3. High 3 Average form, the easier way to calculate your high 3 average is to select the "Project Hi 3
to Retirement" box, then fill in your average January increase in pay (usually cost of living increase, but you
should consider: step increases and promotions) and your Current Annual Salary. Finally, click on the Calculate
button. Your average high 3 at retirement will be displayed in two places: (1) in the green box labeled High 3
Average, and (2) the top line of the light blue matrix (it also displays your retirement date).
Annuities ==> 3. High 3 Average Form
The Annual Salary and the % Increase in January are sent to the TSP ==> Contributions Form and to the
Insurance ==> FEGLI form. If you change salary on one of these forms, then you should manually change it on
the other two forms.
TSP ==> Contributions Form
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Insurance ==> FEGLI Form
If you are retiring in this calendar year, then you should enter Pay Changes and Dates in the individual
boxes provided on the form instead of using the "Project High 3 to Retirement." This will give you a more
accurate projection of your High 3 Average. However, you must use the "Project Hi 3 to Retirement" method
first as the data created by it is used (as stated above) in the TSP and FEGLI forms. After using the "Project Hi
3 to Retirement," uncheck the "Project Hi 3 to Retirement" box, delete all computer generated pay changes
and amounts using the delete line button, then enter actual pay changes and amounts. Do not check the
"Project Hi 3 to Retirement" button again as this will cause loss of your actual pay changes and amounts.
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4. Select 7. Benefits from the Annuities menu.
The high 3 average will be displayed (from the 3. High 3 Average form). Your years of service and age at
retirement will be displayed from the 1. Retirement Eligibility form. Your projected sick leave will be displayed (if
you are in the CSRS) from the 2. Creditable Service form. The top line (highlighted in black) of the matrix at the
bottom of the form contains your retirement annuity information. Each line below contains delayed retirement
annuity information so that you can see what the benefit would be to delay your retirement one or more years (or
one or more months). The two light yellow boxes at the top of the form are for additional information that was
not entered on any of the other forms: (1) Estimated High 3 Increase / Year - enter your expected percent
change in high three average each year (used for projecting your high 3 beyond your chosen retirement date so
you can see the effect of delaying your retirement), and (2) Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) - used to
project increases in your retirement income each year after retirement.
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5. If you are a FERS employee, then you must select the 8. Social Security - FERS Supplement form.
6. After you have worked through steps 1 through 5, you can go back at any time and add, modify or delete data
from any of the Annuity forms. Remember to go through each of the higher numbered forms if and entry is
made. For example, if you are a FERS employee and change an entry on the 1.Retirement Eligibility form, then
you must go to (as a minimum) these annuity forms: 3, 7 and 8. Please see paragraph F below for further details
on making changes on any form.
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7. Now you are ready to enter your TSP data. There are three TSP input forms: Contributions, Growth, and
Withdrawal. See the TSP section of this manual for details. You must enter data on all three TSP forms
(Contributions, Growth and Withdrawal) or the program will not store your TSP data.
8. After entering your TSP information, you are now ready to enter your Insurance (FEGLI - Federal Employees
Group Life Insurance, FEHBP - Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and LTC - Long Term Care) a.
See the help pages for these forms.
D. The Retirement Planner has been added to the Benefits Calculator.
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1. The Retirement Planner calculations are integrated with the Benefits Calculator. Therefore, you must visit
each form in the Retirement Planner before going to the Reports section of the Benefits Calculator so that report
related calculations can be made. See the Retirement Planner section for details.
E. View and Print Report pages: After entering data in the Annuities, TSP, Insurance, and the Retirement
Planner forms, you can view or print over 53 report pages by selecting File and then Print Report from the menu.
See the Report section for more detail.
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F. The following is an outline of the correct order of steps to take when entering data on the various forms. The
data must be entered in the order shown in the table below. The order must be followed as Annuity data is
required in other forms such as TSP and Insurance. In addition Benefits Calculator data is needed in the
Retirement Planner. If changes are made on any Annuity form after entering all data, then all forms following
the change form must be revisited so that the impact of the new entry can be recalculated by the affected forms.
Steps to Take to Enter Data
Benefits Calculator ---------------------------Annuities (Required Forms)
1. Retirement Eligibility (CSRS and FERS)
2. Creditable Service (CSRS – Sick Leave)
3. High 3 Average (CSRS and FERS)
7. Benefits (CSRS and FERS)
8. Social Security – FERS Supplement (FERS)
9. Social Security – CSRS Offset (CSRS Offset)
TSP (must fill-in all three tab forms)
Contributions Tab
Growth Tab
Withdrawal Tab
Insurance
FEGLI
Health
LTC - Government
Retirement Planner -------------------------INCOME
1. Annuity at Retirement
2. Government Sources
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
3. Other Sources
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
EXPENSE
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
2. Other Sources
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
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INCOME and EXPENSE
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
2. Other Sources
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
3. All Sources
a. Yearly Income
b. Monthly Income
Print Reports --------------------------------
For example, if a change is made to the retirement date on Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility, then all forms
below must be revisited so that the impact of changing the retirement date will be calculated.
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Annuities
Retirement Benefit Calculations and Projections
To properly calculate the retirement annuity and survivor benefit, the forms listed under the Annuities menu must
be filled-in in the order presented here:
1. Retirement Eligibility (Required: CSRS and FERS) *
2. Creditable Service (Required CSRS)
3. High 3 Average (Required: CSRS and FERS) *
4. Military Service
5. Deposit
6. Redeposit
7. Benefits (Required: CSRS and FERS)
8. Social Security and FERS Supplement (Required: FERS and CSRS to FERS Transfers)
9. Social Security and CSRS Offset (Required CSRS Offset)
10. WEP Calculation (CSRS)
If you make a change in one or more of these forms, then you must access all higher numbered forms. For
example, if you change a retirement date on the 1. Retirement Eligibility form, then you must re-access the
following forms so that the calculations on these forms conform to the new date:
2. Creditable Service (Required CSRS)
3. High 3 Average (Required CSRS and FERS)
4. Military Service
5. Deposit
6. Redeposit
7. Benefits (Required CSRS and FERS)
8. Social Security and FERS Supplement (Required: FERS and CSRS to FERS Transfers)
9. Social Security and CSRS Offset (Required: CSRS Offset)
* The 1. Retirement Eligibility form and the 3. High 3 form must be filled in before selecting the TSP, Insurance,
and the Retirement Planner forms.
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1. Retirement Eligibility
Introduction
In addition to entering your name and address information, you will enter: (1) the retirement system (CSRS,
FERS, or CSRS to FERS Transfer (xFERS)), (2) whether you are a regular or special provisions employee
(Other), and (3) the type of retirement (Regular, Optional (early-out), or Mandatory for Firefighters, Law
Enforcement and Air Traffic Controllers (special provisions). By entering your birth date, retirement service
computation date (SCD), transfer date (if CSRS to FERS transferee (not shown)) and retirement date, you will
see if you meet minimum service time and minimum age requirements for the type of retirement you are
interested in.
Reference
OPM CSRS: Retirement Eligibility
OPM FERS: Retirement Eligibility
Details
1. Enter your personal information:
Name,
Address,
City,
State,
and Zip code.
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2. Next, enter your:
Birth Date (e.g., June 22, 1948 would be entered 06/22/1948),
Retirement - Service Computation Date (SCD),
Transfer Date (if xFERS), and
Retirement Date.
(Note for Personal PLUS customers, the birth date can be entered only once. Please, check to make
sure it is accurate as it cannot be changed after it is entered.)*
For example, enter:
01-01-1962 (Birth date) <<<< * Personal PLUS customers – DO NOT ENTER THIS,
01-01-1990 (Retirement - SCD), and
12-31-2019 (Retirement Date).
Note: the Retirement - SCD must include all Civil Service time plus Military Time.
3. Next enter:
Retirement System (CSRS, FERS or xFERS),
Employee Type (Regular or Other), and
Retirement Type (Regular, Optional, or Mandatory).
For example, enter:
FERS,
Regular, and
Regular respectively.
4. Observe, at the bottom of the screen, Minimum Service - Years and Minimum Retirement Age data are
displayed. There are three regular retirement options:
a. 5 Minimum Service Years and 62 Minimum Retirement Age,
b. 20 Minimum Service Years and 60 Minimum Retirement Age, and
c. 30 Minimum Service Years and 56 Years – O months Minimum Retirement Age
You must meet one of these three conditions (a., b, or c.) in order to be eligible for a regular retirement. In the
example data entered, you will see a green display at the lower right side of the screen that states, Service and
Age Requirements Met.
In the example, the minimum Service at Retirement is 30 years, 0 months and 0 days, and Age at Retirement is
57 Years and 11 Months greater than required to meet minimum retirement age of 56 years and 0 months. Both
Minimum Service requirement (30 years) and Minimum Age Requirement (56 years) have been met.
5. Change the birth date to 01-01-1964. The indicator at the lower right side of the screen is now red and states,
Service and Age Requirements Not Met. The required Service at Retirement is 30 years, and the requirement is
met. The minimum required Age at Retirement is 56 Years and 0 Months. However, the age, in this case is 55
years and 11 months and does not meet the minimum Age at Retirement.
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6. Now change the birth date back to 01-01-1962 and change the retirement date to 12/13/2018. The Minimum
Retirement Age is OK, but the Service at Retirement has not been met. For a FERS (only) Minimum Retirement
Age + 10 (MRA + 10) retirement, Minimum Retirement Age and Service at Retirement requirements have been
met for. However, there is a 5% reduction in annuity penalty for each year the MRA + 10 retiree is under age 62
at retirement.
7. BIRTHDATE, RETIREMENT - SERVICE COMPUTATION DATE, TRANSFER DATE (if applicable),
RETIREMENT DATE, CURRENT CREDITABLE SERVICE, YOUR CURRENT AGE, CSRS SERVICE AT
TRANSFER (if applicable), AGE AT TRANSFER (if applicable), SERVICE AT Retirement, and AGE AT
RETIREMENT are used by other forms. Therefore, make entries on this form before moving on to other forms.
If you make changes on this form after making changes on other forms (Annuities, TSP, Insurance, and/
or Retirement Planner, then you must revisit each page to provide for new, adjusting calculations.
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2. Creditable Service
Introduction
You should review your personal records to find exact dates of Civilian Service and Military Service. You will
then enter dates of service in each category. Your Civilian and Military Service Time will be calculated. You will
then use this information to check your Official Personal Folder (OPF) in your personnel office to determine that
your Service Computation Date (SCD) is accurate. If you are a CSRS or a CSRS Offset employee, you will
enter your unused Sick Leave information, historical and planned for the future. If you are a CSRS or a CSRS
Offset employee, the unused sick leave will add to your service time credit.
Reference
OPM CSRS: Creditable Service
OPM FERS: Creditable Service
OPM CSRS Unused Sick Leave: Creditable Sick Leave
Details - Civilian and Military Service
Note: The Civilian and Military data entered on this form are not used in any other calculations in this Benefits
Calculator or the Retirement Planner. It is not necessary to enter this data unless you want to compare your
calculations with those of your personnel office.
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1. Start by entering your first Civil Service job at the top of the form. Enter a short description of the job, then
enter the starting and ending dates underneath. Next enter your second job description and starting and ending
dates. And continue this way down the form. The program requires this order (first job at top, latest job at
bottom of list) to accurately calculate total service time.
2. Repeat this process for all your military time. When you have finished, you will observe your total combined
civilian and military service time. You can then compare your service times (civilian and military) with those
recorded in your OPF.
Details Unused Sick Leave (CSRS and CSRS Offset Only)
1. If you are calculating a CSRS or CSRS Offset annuity, then enter sick leave information at the right side of
the form. First, enter the proposed sick leave time to be saved for each two week period. Enter any amount
between 0 and 4 hours per two week period. Next enter the saved sick leave to date. Notice that the number of
2 week periods until your retirement is calculated (obtained from today’s date and the retirement date from the 1.
Retirement Eligibility form), and the sick leave hours to be saved between today and retirement are calculated.
Finally, the total number of months of saved sick leave at retirement is calculated.
Use of this Data
1. The Civilian and Military Service information is not used on any other form in this program. It is provided to
ensure that your figures agree with those found in your OPF.
2. The Sick Leave data is used by the Annuities  7. Benefits form to add to the total service time for annuity
calculations only and not for minimum service determination.
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3. High 3 Average
Introduction
You will review personal records to find dates and amounts of pay increases covering, at least the last three to
five years. After entering this information into this form, the High 3 average at retirement will be calculated.
Reference
OPM Computation Example: High 3 Average
OPM CSRS: High 3 Average
OPM FERS: High 3 Average
Details - Long Term Method - Retirement after the current calendar year
1. If the retirement date is in the next calendar year or later, you should select PROJECT Hi 3 to RETIREMENT.
2. Enter your expected average annual pay Increase (% Increase in January). Consider annual cost-of-living
adjustments, step increases, and promotions.
3. Enter your Current Annual Salary.
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4. Click on the Calculate button.
5. Select the PROJECT Hi 3 to Retirement again to display projected Pay Changes (dates and amounts).
Note: When you return to the High 3 form you Must Click on the Calculate button or $0 High 3 average will
be sent to the 7. Benefits Form (very common mistake).
Details - Short Term Method – Retirement in the current calendar year
1. Start by entering the latest pay change date and amount. Then enter previous pay change dates and
amounts in chronological order.
2. If dates are not in order, dates are missing, or dates are wrong, the High 3 calculation will be in error.
Therefore, extensive date error checking was added to this form to ensure accuracy of date entries. If a mistake
is made, an error message will explain the problem. To insert or delete a date and amount, place the mouse
cursor on the appropriate date, click the mouse, then click on the Insert Line or Delete Line button.
3. The projected Retirement Date, from the Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility form, is displayed at the top of
the form.
4. After entering the pay change information, click on the Calculate button.
5. Any errors in the dates will be displayed as stated above.
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6. The green, High 3 Average window displays the high 3 average on your retirement date (it is also displayed
on the top line of the large matrix on the right side of the form). Note, if a pay increase occurs after today but
before your retirement date, it will not be reflected in the high 3 average at retirement. To overcome this, you
can predict a pay change date and amount and enter this in the latest Date Effective and Annual Pay columns
on the form.
7. The matrix at the right of the screen lists monthly High 3 averages and changes in High 3 averages from one
month to the next. Small variations from one month to the next occur because the number of days in each
month are different. Gradual trends up in the monthly High 3 average are a result of larger pay increases or
shorter duration between pay changes. Gradual trends down in the monthly High 3 average occur due to smaller
pay increases or longer duration between pay changes.
8. The calculated High 3 average from this form is sent to the Annuities  7. Benefits form. Therefore, the
information on this form must be entered before working on the Annuities  7. Benefits form.
9. If you are retiring this calendar year, then you should enter Pay Changes and Dates in the individual boxes
provided on the form instead of using the "Project High 3 to Retirement." This will give you a more accurate
projection of your High 3 Average. However, you must first use the "Project Hi 3 to Retirement" method first as
the data created by it is used in the TSP and Insurance  FEGLI forms. After using the "Project Hi 3 to
Retirement," uncheck the "Project Hi 3 to Retirement" box, delete all computer generated pay changes and
amounts using the delete line button, then enter actual pay changes and amounts. Do not check the "Project Hi
3 to Retirement" button again as this will cause loss of your actual pay changes and amounts.
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4. Military Service
Introduction
You will answer a few questions regarding military service to include dates and Social Security deposits, and
you will receive information on deposit requirements, deposit due dates and interest rate information. The data
collected on this form is not used on any other form.
Reference
OPM CSRS: Military Service
OPM FERS: Military Service
Details
CSRS
1. Answer the questions on the left side of the screen by selecting one of the two buttons in two or more of the
statement boxes. Depending on how the selections are made, other statement boxes will be enabled or
disabled. The general response to the selections made will be displayed at the bottom of the screen in the big
blue box to the left. There will be general information covering: impacts on making (or not making) a deposit for
military service time. Social security and military credit applied to civil service credit and the type of interest
(fixed or variable) to be charged with the deposit will be displayed.
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FERS
1. Answer the questions on the right side of the screen by selecting one of the two buttons in one or more of the
statement boxes. Depending on how selections are made, the bottom statement box will be enabled or
disabled. The general response to the statements will be displayed at the bottom of the screen in the big blue
box to the right. There will be general information covering impacts of making (or not making) a deposit for
military service time. Military credit applied to civil service credit and whether interest will or will not be charged
for the deposit.
CSRS and FERS
1. The screen provides only very general information. Please consult your personnel department for specific
answers on military service as applied to civil service
2. No data from this form is used by any other form.
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5. Deposit
Introduction
You will enter the period of time (if any) where deductions from Civil Service income were not deposited in a
retirement system (CSRS or FERS). You will determine how much is owed (deposit and interest). You will
review the consequences of not paying the deposit and interest.
Reference
OPM CSRS: Deposit - Performed CSRS service where no retirement deductions were withheld from your pay
OPM FERS: Deposit - Performed FERS service where no retirement deductions were withheld from your pay
Details
1. Enter the beginning date and ending date when deductions for a retirement system were not withheld. Enter
the deposit owed for this period. You will probably need to contact the personnel office for this information.
2. Do not enter a Deposit to be Paid On This Date at this point.
3. Click on the Calculate Deposit button.
(a) If the deposit period ended before 10-01-1982, the program will calculate the Interest and the Total
Deposit owed on the Retirement Date.
(b) If the deposit period ended on or after 10-01-1982, the program will calculate the Service Time Earned
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during this Period and deduct it from the Total Service at Retirement.
(c) Either the Total Deposit Owed (3.a) or Service Time Earned during this period (3.b) will be sent to the
Annuities  7. Benefits form for adjustment of the retirement annuity.
4. If the intent is to make a deposit or a deposit was previously made, enter the deposit date in the Deposit to
be Paid On This Date field. Then click on the Calculate Deposit button.
5. General information is provided at the top of this form as to the annuity impacts of making or not making a
deposit for non-deduction period of time before and after 10-01-1982.
Caution
Make sure that you push the CALCULATE DEPOSIT button before leaving this form. The data displayed on the
form is passed to the Annuities  7. Benefits form. If you make changes or just review this form without
pushing the Calculate DEPOSIT button, erroneous data will be processed by the Annuities  7. Benefits form.
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6. Redeposit
Introduction
You will enter the civil service period of time for which a refund of retirement deposits was received. You will
determine how much is owed (redeposit and interest). You will review the consequences of not paying the
redeposit and interest.
Reference
OPM CSRS: Redeposit - A redeposit is the repayment of retirement deductions that were previously withheld
and refunded to you, plus interest.
OPM FERS: Redeposit - A redeposit is the repayment of retirement deductions that were previously withheld
and refunded to you, plus interest.
Details
1. Enter the beginning date and ending date where deductions for the retirement system were made and were
later received as a refund of these deductions. Enter the amount refunded for this period. Enter the date the
refund was received. You may need to contact the personnel office for this information.
2. Do not enter a Redeposit to be Paid On This Date at this point.
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3. Click on the Calculate Redeposit button.
(a) If the redeposit period ended before 10-01-1990, the program will calculate the Interest and the Total
Redeposit Owed on the Retirement Date.
(b) If the redeposit period ended on or after 10-01-1990, the program will calculate the Service Time Earned
During Refund Period and deduct it from the Total Service at Retirement.
(c) Either the Total Redeposit Owed (3.a) or Service Time Earned During Refund Period (3.b) will be sent to
the Annuities  7. Benefits form for adjustment of the retirement annuity.
4. If a redeposit will be made or has already been made, enter the redeposit date in the Redeposit to be Paid
On This Date field. Then click on the Calculate Redeposit button.
5. General information is provided at the top of this form as to the annuity impacts of making or not making a
redeposit for the refund period of time before and after 10-01-1990.
Caution
Make sure that you click on the CALCULATE REDEPOSIT button before leaving this form. The data displayed
on the form is passed to the Annuities  7. Benefits form. If you make changes or just review this form without
pushing the Calculate REDEPOSIT button, erroneous data will be processed by the Annuities  7. Benefits
form.
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7. Benefits
Introduction
You will review the interaction of many variables that affect the retirement annuity and the survivor benefit. You
will view the change in annuity by delaying the retirement for a period of time (11 months (max.) or 11 years
(max.)).
Reference:
OPM CSRS: Benefits Calculation
OPM FERS: Benefits Calculation
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Details
1. This form gets its data from the following source of data forms*:
Annuties  1. Retirement Eligibility (Age at Retirement (years and months), Service Years and Months
at Retirement, Retirement System, Employee Type, Employee Skill, and Retirement Type),
Annuties  2. Creditable Service (Sick Leave only),
Annuties  3. High 3 Average (Hi 3 Average amount),
Annuties  5. Deposit (Annual Deposit Penalty - either an amount or years/months), and
Annuties  6. Redeposit (Annual Redeposit Penalty - either an amount or years/months).
Some of the items listed above (in white background boxes on the form) can be changed directly on this form
but will not be updated on the *source of data form(s) listed above. In the data boxes found at the top of the
form, the:
Estimated High 3 Increase/Year,
Annual Inflation Factor, and
Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
are the only data that do not come from other source forms. Each has a light yellow background to remind you
that an input is required on this form. Since the white background data boxes at the top of the form receive their
inputs from other forms, input is optional (and temporary).
2. The matrix at the bottom of the screen can be scrolled vertically and horizontally. It displays the results of all
the calculations made from the inputs listed in paragraph 1. No input can be made on the matrix; it is for
display of data only. The top line of the matrix displays the data on the retirement date (selected on the
Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility Form). The top line of the matrix is the source of data for many
report pages:
Analysis Summary,
Retirement Data,
Annuities,
Benefits Cost, and
Others.
3. By selecting the View Data - Years, projections from the retirement date out 11 years can be reviewed on the
matrix. These years appear below the top line (selected Retirement Year on the Annuities  1. Retirement
Eligibility form) of the matrix. The matrix lines are presented to show what the impact would be to delay a
retirement one or more years. Since the High 3 cannot be accurately calculated (without future pay increase and
date information) for the future, you will need to estimate an annual percent increase for projection purposes
(see the 3. High 3 Average form for monthly historical averages) and enter it in the Estimated High 3
Increase/Year data box. By selecting the View Data - Months, projections from the retirement date (top line of
matrix) out 11 months can be reviewed. This data is presented to show what the impact would be to delay a
retirement one or more months. A Change in Hi 3 Average is intentionally not incorporated in the View Data Month option.
4. At times, some of the rows on the matrix may be colored with a red background. This indicates that the
Service at Retirement and/or Age at Retirement requirements (see Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility form) for
the Retirement Type selected have not been met (both CSRS and FERS). A yellow background indicates
eligibility for a reduced benefit under FERS (MRA + 10 option) only.
5. By clicking on the Clear Form button, you can enter what-if data on the form at the top and observe the results
on the matrix. The data that you enter on this form in white boxes is only temporary and will be lost when you
exit the form. When you return to the form data in white boxes will come from the forms listed in paragraph 1.
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6. The CSRS Survivor control (up and down arrows) can adjust the Survivor Annuity between 0% and 100% in
1% increments. As shown on the form, with the control set to 100% the Survivor Annuity is calculated as 55% of
the No Survivor Annuity amount. This control is only visible if the Retirement System is CSRS.
7. The FERS Survivor control can be set for a 0%, 25%, or a 50% benefit. This control is only visible if the
Retirement System is FERS or xFERS (CSRS to FERS transfer employee).
8. The matrix at the bottom of the screen displays the full Annual and full Monthly Annuity Amounts (No Survivor
and With Survivor) minus any penalties (Early Retirement Penalty, Deposit Penalty, and Redeposit Penalty).
9. The Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is used for projecting increases in the retirement annuity
and survivor benefit on the report forms. It is not used in any of the calculations on this form.
10. If the Retirement System is XFERS (CSRS to FERS transfer employee selected on the Annuities  1.
Retirement Eligibility form), a Transfer Details button will appear under the Clear Form button. When selected,
details are revealed as to Service Time in each Retirement System (CSRS and FERS), Annual Annuities in
CSRS and FERS are displayed, and Early Retirement penalties for each system are displayed.
11. This form generates data for the following report pages:
Analysis Summary, Retirement Data, Retirement Benefit, Annuities, Benefits Cost, and Others
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8. FERS Supplement - Social Security
Introduction
The FERS Supplement is a benefit paid until age 62 to certain FERS employees who retire before age 62 and
who are entitled to an immediate annuity. The supplement approximates the value of FERS service in a Social
Security benefit. The general purpose of the supplement is to provide a level of income before age 62 similar to
what the retiree will receive at age 62 as part of a Social Security benefit, if eligible for Social Security at that
age. The supplement stops at age 62 even if the FERS retiree is not eligible for Social Security.
Reference
OPM: FERS Supplement
Details
1. The FERS Supplement form gets data from the following source forms:
Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility
a. Age at Retirement, and
b. FERS Service at Retirement, and
Annuities  7. Benefits
a. FERS Annuity and
b. Annual FERS Annuity COLA
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These forms (Annuities  1. Retirement, and Annuities  7. Benefits) must be filled in before working on the
FERS Supplement form.
2. Data is recorded on the FERS Supplement form:
a. Monthly Social Security at Age 62 - this is found on the "Your Social Security Statement," sent to
you from the IRS. Enter the monthly amount shown on page 2 that states, "At age 62, your payment would be
about...."
b. Annual Social Security COLA - The Social Security Act specifies a formula for determining the
COLA. In general, the COLA is equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. The
following table was taken from the Social Security Administration, History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living
Adjustments fact sheet. From the table below, the average COLA 1990-2008 = 2.98%
Table from: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colaseries.html
3. The FERS Supplement is calculated: Years of FERS service (minus military service) divided by 40 times the
Monthly Social Security at Age 62. For example, from the Figure Above:
Years of FERS service = 30
Monthly Social Security at Age 62 = $1,643
Calculation: 30 divided 40 times $1,643 = $1,232.
3. The matrix at the bottom of the FERS Supplement form can be scrolled vertically. It displays the results of all
the calculations made from the inputs listed in paragraphs 1 and 2. No input can be made on the matrix; it is for
display of data only. The matrix data can be printed by selecting the FERS Supplement report page in the
menu.
4. For regular FERS employees, there is no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the FERS annuity until age 62,
and no COLA for the FERS supplement.
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9. CSRS Offset - Social Security
Introduction
At retirement CSRS Offset employee benefits are computed in the same manner as any regular CSRS
employee if under age 62. The full CSRS annuity benefit is paid until age 62, when the CSRS Offset retiree is
eligible for Social Security. At age 62, the CSRS retirement benefit is recomputed to take into account the years
of service the employee was covered under both CSRS Offset and Social Security. At age 62, the CSRS annuity
is then permanently reduced (offset) by the portion of the Social Security retirement benefit that is attributable to
the period of time the employee was covered by both systems. The CSRS Offset employee will receive full
Social Security benefits at age 62, however the full CSRS annuity will be reduced. The CSRS Offset is the
lesser of (1) Social Security earnings attributable to Offset service or (2) the total Social Security benefit
multiplied by a fraction (number of CSRS Offset years divided by 40).
Reference
OPM: CSRS Offset
Details
1. The CSRS Offset form gets data from the following source forms:
Annuities  1. Retirement
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a. Age at Retirement, and
b. CSRS Service at Retirement
Annuities  7. Benefits.
a. CSRS Annuity and
b. Annual CSRS Annuity COLA
These forms: Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility, and Annuities  7. Benefits, must be filled in before working
on the CSRS Offset form.
2. Data recorded on the CSRS offset form:
a. Monthly Social Security at Age 62 - this is found on the "Your Social Security Statement," sent to
you from the IRS. Enter the monthly amount shown on page 2 that states, "At age 62, your payment would be
about...."
b. Monthly Social Security - Amount Attributable to Offset at Age 63 - you must contact the Social
Security Administration an ask for this amount. If information is not available, then set the amount to zero.
c. Annual Social Security COLA - The Social Security Act specifies a formula for determining the
COLA. In general, the COLA is equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. The
following table was taken from the Social Security Administration, History of Automatic Cost-Of-Living
Adjustments fact sheet. From the table below, the average COLA 1990-2008 = 2.98%
Table from: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/colaseries.html
d. Start Offset Employment - Date that CSRS Offset service began.
3. The matrix at the bottom of the CSRS Offset form can be scrolled vertically. It displays the results of all the
calculations made from the inputs listed in paragraphs 1 and 2. No input can be made on the matrix; it is for
display of data only. The matrix data can be printed by selecting the CSRS Offset report page on the report
form.
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10. Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP Calculation - CSRS)
Introduction
CSRS employees DO NOT pay Social Security taxes, but they do pay Medicare tax (1.45% of salary).
Generally, CSRS employees receive no Social Security retirement benefits, unless they have worked in a
position covered by Social Security. Even with other work covered by Social Security, there is a very good
chance that Social Security retirement benefits due a CSRS retiree, will be permanently reduced by the Windfall
Elimination Provision (WEP).
Reference
OPM CSRS: Windfall Elimination Provision
Social Security Administration: Windfall Elimination Provision
Details
What is the Windfall Elimination Provision of the Social Security Reform Act of 1983?
It established that a person would only draw Social Security benefits for the actual work done under the Social
Security Act. It established that a person who draws a civil service annuity (or other non-covered annuity) must
have at least 30 years of “substantial” Social Security coverage in order to draw the highest allowed benefits
from Social Security. For each year less than 30 years of “substantial” coverage, your Social Security benefit is
reduced by 5% until you reach 40%.That 40% becomes the floor for your Social Security benefits.
You must have earned the following amounts to be considered “substantial” earnings:
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See the Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html for more detailed information.
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Introduction
You will calculate future earnings in one or more of the TSP funds during pre and post retirement years. You will
investigate the monthly increase in each of the funds for any period of time. You will select a month and year in
which to start withdrawal of TSP funds. You will compare the three major options for withdrawing funds (lump
sum, monthly payments and annuity). The TSP form is separated into three areas (each has a tab):
Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawal.
Reference
TSP: Contributions
TSP: Growth
TSP: Withdrawal
Details
The TSP form requires the Retirement System and Retirement Date that are entered on the Annuities  1.
Retirement form.
In addition, Annual Salary and Percentage Increase - January are required and come from the Annuities  3.
High 3 Average form.
You must enter this data on the two Annuities forms before you can work on the TSP form.
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CONTRIBUTIONS (tab):
The Retirement System, from the Annuities  1. Retirement form, and the Annual Salary and the Percentage
Increase – January, from the Annuities  3. High 3 Average form, appear at the top of the TSP – Contributions
form.
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1. Begin by entering the Existing TSP Savings on the Contributions Form.
Federal employees can view this information at http://www.TSP.gov, Account Access webpage. In addition,
federal employees can access the TSP web site directly from the Benefits Calculator HELP menu.
You must know the Personal Identification Number and Social Security Number to obtain account information.
2. Enter the percent of the annual salary to invest in the funds in the % of Salary field. You can change this at
any time.
3. The Internal Revenue Service Max Allowed contribution limit cannot be exceeded.
4. Enter the percent of the total contributions to put into the L, C, F, G, I and S funds (Distribute Savings into
Funds in Percentages). These entries must total 100%.
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5. Select the L – Fund if applicable.
6. After entering all the information above, the program calculates the allocation of the future investments into
each of the funds in the percentages you entered in paragraph 4 above.
If you are a FERS employee, the government’s annual contribution is automatically calculated in-accordancewith the following:
You
Government
TOTAL
Contribute
Contributes
0%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6% +
1%
2%
3%
4%
4.5%
5%
5%
1%
3%
5%
7%
8.5%
10%
11% +
TSP Catch-Up
General Information
Catch-up contributions are a supplement to the participant’s regular employee contributions and do not count
against either the statutory contribution percentage or the Internal Revenue Code’s elective deferral limit
($15,500 in 2008). However, the catch-up contributions have their own annual limit (the “annual catch-up
contributions limit”) and eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for Catch-up Contributions
A federal employee is eligible: (1) when the federal employee becomes 50 or older, and (2) if the federal
employee is already contributing the maximum amount of regular TSP contributions for which he/she is eligible.
Annual Catch-up Contribution Limits
The limit on catch-up contributions for 2008 is $5,000. It remains the same as the 2006 limit. If you are at least
age 50 (or will become age 50 during the calendar year) and if you have made or will make the maximum
amount of employee contributions for the calendar year (e.g., $15,500 in 2008), you may also make catch-up
contributions to your TSP account.
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GROWTH (tab):
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1. Enter the Future Compound Annual Return Rate - Percentages for each fund. You can find historical
percentages for the funds (and other information) on the TSP website. You can gain access to the TSP website
by clicking on the Benefits Calculator HELP menu then click on TSP web site website. After the TSP website
appears, select RETURNS then select HISTORICAL RETURNS.
2. Next you will see the Funds Growth area of the form:
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(a) The Retirement Date that was entered in the, Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility form.
(b) The Retirement Age that was calculated in the Annuities  1. Retirement Eligibility form.
(c) The Withdrawal Age (Year and Month when TSP withdrawals will start.
(d) The number of Months from Now when TSP withdrawals start will be displayed,
(e) The Calculate Performance button that will perform all the calculations to fill-in the Funds Growth
spread sheets, and
(f) Two Funds Growth spread sheets that display the monthly growth of the five TSP funds (Regular
Investment Performance) and the L Fund allocation (L Fund Investment Performance).
3. The following effects on Existing Savings can be calculated, displayed, and printed:
(a) Future growth, of existing savings for any time period,
(b) Changing the distribution of existing savings in different funds,
(c) Changing the future compound annual return rate of existing savings in different funds,
(d) Changing the withdrawal age of existing savings in different funds,
4. The following effects on Future Contributions can be calculated, displayed, and printed in the Funds Growth
spread sheet:
(a) Future growth, of future contributions for any time period,
(b) Changing the distribution of future contributions in different funds,
(c) Changing the future compound annual return rate of future contributions in different funds,
(d) Changing the withdrawal age of future contributions in different funds,
5. CALCULATIONS:
During each month in the pre-retirement years, the program calculates:
(a) The amount deposited in each fund,
(b) Increase of each deposit beginning in January each year, and
(c) Compounded increases on accumulated savings in each fund.
During each month in the post retirement years, the program calculates:
(a) Compounded increases on accumulated savings in each fund.
The results are viewed in the Funds Growth spreadsheets.
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WITHDRAWAL (tab):
Start by selecting from one of the three major Withdrawal Options:
Lump Sum,
Monthly Payments or
Annuity.
You can find information covering these options (and other information) in the TSP Booklet, "Withdrawing Your
TSP Account After Leaving Federal Service." Click on the Benefits Calculator HELP menu then click on TSP
web site. Look in the Forms and Publications section of the TSP web site.
1. The Lump Sum selection will produce no further calculation as the lump sum is viewed in the Funds Growth
spread sheet (Growth Tab) - in the Balance column on the bottom line. It also appears in the information window
to the right of Withdrawal Options.
2. The Monthly Payments selection displays three new options:
Payments,
Monthly Amount and
Life Expectancy (IRS)
methods for calculating the monthly withdrawal. See the information window on the form.
(a) Select one of the three options:
Payments: Enter the number of payments you want. The monthly amount is calculated by the
program, and it will deduct the maximum amount from each fund so that each fund will have almost a zero
amount after the last payment is made.
Monthly Amount: Enter the number of payments and the monthly amount you want. The
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program will deduct a portion from each fund determined by the percentages entered in the, "Distribute Savings
into the Funds in Percentages Shown," fields.
LIfe Expectancy: The number of payments and monthly amount are calculated for you using
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) life expectancy table. The number of payments depends on the age at which
the withdrawal will start. The program will deduct the maximum amount from each fund so that each fund will
have almost a zero amount after the last payment is made.
(b) Enter Number of Payments (if applicable) and/or Payment Amount (if applicable)
(c) Enter the distribution percentages of the five funds during the withdrawal years by entering
percentages in one or more of the Fund fields. You can select the L – Income fund allocation by clicking on the L
Income button. The total percentage must equal 100%.
3. The Annuity selection will clear the lower part of the TSP form and then display a Calculate Annuities
button. Press this button to go to the ANNUITY form.
(a) You will observe Your Age at Start of Annuity that you selected when in the Growth (tab) part of the
TSP form
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(b) If there is a joint annuitant, enter his/her age in the Joint Annuitants Age at Start of Annuity field.
(c) Enter the Current Interest Rate Index. Click on the Annuity Interest Rate Index button. This will open
the, “What’s New,” webpage on the TSP website. Click on the “Current Information,” button and look for Annuity
interest rate index.
(d) You will see three types of annuities:
- SINGLE LIFE with Level or Increasing Payments,
- JOINT LIFE WITH SPOUSE with Level or Increasing Payments, and
- JOINT LIFE WITH OTHER SPOUSE with Level Payments.
(e) Click on the Calculate Annuities button, and observe the various monthly annuity amounts.
(f) You can get detailed information on annuities in the TSP Booklet, "Annuities." Click on the Benefits
Calculator HELP menu then click on TSP web site. Look in the Forms and Publications section of the TSP web
site.
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Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Introduction
You will review current FEGLI insurance coverage and the biweekly, monthly and annual premiums. You will
investigate future changes in coverage and premiums, based on salary and age, before and after retirement.
You can change the type and amount of coverage and then view resulting changes in premiums. For each
scenario, you will view the long term coverage and accumulated costs.
Reference
OPM: FEGLI
Details
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1. The FEGLI form gets the Birth date, Current Age, Retire Date and Retire Age from the Annuities  1.
Retirement Eligibility form. This data must be entered before you can work on the FEGLI form.
2. If the data is not present from the Annuities  3 High 3 form, begin by entering Annual Salary and the
change in salary each January in the respective input fields.
3. If you are a Postal Employee, then check the Postal Employee box (postal employees receive free Basic
coverage until they retire).
4. Next select insurance coverage by clicking on the appropriate Coverage boxes:
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5. For additional information regarding FEGLI, click on the HELP menu and select FEGLI website.
BASIC coverage is equal to the current annual salary rounded up to the next $1,000 plus $2000 if you
are 45 years old and over. If you are under 45 years old, then Basic coverage is greater (see the FEGLI website
for details). You must select this coverage to be eligible for the optional coverage (A, B, and C). The Basic
coverage may be continued after retirement under certain conditions. At age 65 (if retired) there are three
options for Basic Coverage:
(a) No reduction in Basic coverage,
(b) 50% reduction in Basic coverage starting at age 65 reduced by 1% per month until 50% coverage is
reached,
(c) 75% reduction in Basic coverage starting at age 65 reduced by 2% per month until 25% coverage is
reached.
Select the reduction desired by clicking on the appropriate entry under the Reduction At Age 65
heading.
Option A - Standard coverage is equal to $10,000 dollars. You may continue it after retirement if Basic
coverage is continued. Effective at the end of the month after the month in which age 65 is reached or the
retirement date (if later than age 65), Option A coverage will be reduced by 2% per month until it reaches 25%
($2,500).
Option B - Additional coverage is equal to 1 to 5 times the annual salary rounded up to the next $1,000.
Select any number between 1 and 5 under the Option B Multiplier heading. This optional coverage continues
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automatically after retirement if Basic coverage is elected. Effective at the end of the month after the month in
which age 65 is reached or the retirement date (if later than age 65), Option B coverage will reduce by 2% of the
pre-retirement amount per month for 50 months, at which time the coverage will end. However, if continued
coverage after the age of 65 is desired, check the NO Reduction At Age 65 box.
Option C - Family coverage covers eligible family members: $5,000 for a spouse and $2,500 for each
eligible dependent child. It continues automatically after retirement if Basic coverage is continued. Multiple
amounts of coverage for Spouse and Dependents are available from 1 to 5 multiples ($5,000 to $25,000 in
$5,000 increments for Spouse and $2,500 to $12,500 for each Dependent). Select the Cover Spouse box and
click on the Dependent Information button (if applicable) to enter the number of dependent children. If selected,
enter Dependents current age and mark the Yes box if support for the dependent is allowed after age of 22, then
push the OK button. Select the C Multiplier for the coverage desired. Effective at the end of the month after the
month in which age 65 is reached or the retirement date (if later than age 65), Option C coverage will reduce by
2% of the pre-retirement amount per month for 50 months, at which time coverage will end. However, if
continued coverage after the age of 65 is desired, check the NO Reduction At Age 65 Box.
Note: if you have marked one or more boxes under Coverage but you have not marked the Basic Coverage box,
then all calculations will be zero and some options will not be displayed. See Basic Coverage.
6. Next, click on the Calculate button and review the Premiums (biweekly or monthly and annual), the
accumulated cost for all coverage over the years, and coverage amounts from current age to display years
selected. Click on the third column heading above Premium to alternate between the Biweekly and Monthly
display of data.
7. You can view average biweekly and monthly deductions, under the spreadsheet, for coverage from current
age to age 65.
8. You can obtain a printed report of this form at any time by clicking on the Print Form button.
9. Click the FEGLI Codes button to view and/or print the FEGLI Codes. The FEGLI Codes file is designed to
run in the Windows Wordpad program (or Microsoft Word). In order to display the FEGLI Codes file, Windows
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must recognize the file type .RTF (Rich Text Format) format and then automatically launch the Windows
Wordpad program.
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Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
Introduction
The FEHBP form will help you to project future FEHBP costs with an estimated premium cost increase each
year.
Reference
OPM: FEHBP
Details
1. You will enter your current, biweekly FEHBP payment found on your earnings and leave statement and an
estimated percentage annual cost increase in your FEHBP payments each year.
2. The Benefits Calculator will then convert your biweekly payment into a monthly payment (annual payment /
12), and an annual payment (biweekly payment x 26 payment each year).
3. Finally, the program will calculate annually compounded increases in each of these payment amounts
(biweekly, monthly and annual) by the percentage annual cost increase you enter. The percentage change each
year is increased by compounding the previous year's increase. For example, assume that the first year's total
payments = 26 payments x $100 (biweekly) = $2,600. The second year's annual payment amount is expected to
increase by 10%: $2,600 + (10% x $2,600 = $260) = $2,860. In the third year the annual payment amount is
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expected to increase by 10%: $2,860 + (10% x $2,860 = $286) = $3,146.
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Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance
Introduction
Like other Americans, federal employees and retirees are concerned about their long-term care needs, as well
as the needs of their parents and those of their in-laws, in many situations. Long term care is something you
may need if you can no longer perform everyday tasks by yourself. For example, there may come a time when
you need help getting dressed, eating or bathing. It also includes the kind of care you would need if you had a
severe cognitive impairment like Alzheimer's disease. You can receive this care in a variety of settings, including
your home, an assisted living facility or a nursing home. The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator contains two
LTC insurance calculators: (1) Government and (2) Private Sector. The purpose of these two calculators is to
provide a tool to evaluate the benefits and costs of many different choices one can make when shopping for
LTC insurance.
Reference
OPM: LTC
Details
1. Fill-in the following basic data:
Name of Person to be Insured,
Select Government or Private Insurance Analysis,
Age of Person at the time when insurance becomes effective,
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Daily Benefit Amount - The maximum amount a plan will pay in any single day,
Benefit Period - The amount of time your insurance will last if the full daily benefit is paid every day,
Waiting Period - The amount of time you must pay for covered services before the insurance will begin
to pay
Inflation Protection - two options that will increase benefits to help pay for increased costs of care:
(a) Automatic Compound Inflation (ACI) Option- An inflation protection option that increases your
benefits automatically by 5% compounded annually with no increase in premium (at this time), and
(b) Future Purchase Option - An inflation protection option that increases your benefits every
other year with an increase in premiums.
2. Fill-in the following additional data (based on selections made above):
Monthly Premium (Private Insurance) - The initial, monthly cost of the LTC insurance
Premium Increase (ACI and Private Insurance) - The percentage increase in the monthly premium
(amount paid)
How Often premium will increase (ACI and Private Insurance) - The time period in years when the
insurance premium will increase
Benefit Increase (Private Insurance) - The percentage increase in the Daily Benefit Amount
How Often daily benefit amount will increase (Private Insurance) - The time period in years when the
daily benefit amount will increase
3. After filling in the data, press the calculate button to view the following information that is calculated over a
40+ year period (this same information appears on the printed reports - see 5. below):
Age in two year increments
Daily Benefit
Lifetime Benefit (government calculation only) - Daily Benefit x 365 (days in one year) x Benefit Period
(years)
Monthly premium
2 Year Cost Accumulated - All previous monthly premiums paid
4. You can capture four different scenarios in the spread sheets (government and private sector) that will be
used in the printed reports (see 5. below). If you would like to erase one or more of the lines in the spread
sheet, click on the line and answer yes to the delete question.
5. To print the scenarios captured in the two spreadsheets, select the LTC Government and/or the LTC Private
Sector Insurance report pages.
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Retirement Planner
Overview
This part of the program was developed to integrate all the data from the Benefits Calculator in order to present
a thorough presentation of federal sources of income (Salary, Retirement Annuity, Social Security / FERS
Supplement (if applicable), and TSP) and expenses (Retirement penalties, ongoing cost of Survivor Benefit,
FEGLI, Health Insurance, Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance, and Taxes). In addition, to job related sources of
income and expenses listed above, other sources of income expenses can be listed and projected over time.
The primary purpose of the Retirement Planner is to investigate future time for periods when expenses may be
larger than income. With this knowledge, strategies for avoiding this situation can be investigated.
The Annuities, TSP and Insurance sections of the Benefits Calculator are used to calculate your federal
benefits. The retirement planner will take these calculations and project them into your retirement years. You will
view the impact time has on:
Annuity,
Social Security (FERS and CSRS Offset),
TSP,
Annuity Penalties (e.g., early retirement),
Survivor Benefit,
FEGLI,
Health Insurance,
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Long Term Care Insurance, and
State and Federal Income Taxes.
You will then add other sources of income and expenses that are realized during your retirement years.
Other income may include (in part):
IRAs
Roth IRAs
Savings Accounts
Part-time Job
Rental Income,
Reverse Mortgages, and
Other Sources
Other sources of expenses may include (in part):
House Payment,
Car Payment,
Utilities,
Travel,
Education,
Food,
Clothing, and
Others Sources.
Finally, the government income and expenses and other sources of income and expense are combined so that
yearly and monthly projections are calculated from retirement age to age 90. There may be periods of time when
income is insufficient to meet expenses. The power of the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner can then
be used to make adjustments in many places so that income is always greater than expenses.
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Annuity Income and Expenses at Retirement
Introduction
Planning for retirement starts with an investigation of the: government retirement annuity, and the expenses that
will be deducted from the monthly retirement annuity. You will review your annual and monthly pre-retirement
income (one month before you retire). You will then compare your pre-retirement income with your monthly
income in your first year of retirement. The information presented on this form comes from Benefits Calculator
forms. The only new input entered on this form is your estimated income tax (federal and state) during your first
year or retirement.
Details
The Annuity At Retirement is selected in the menu that appears under Income.
The following form is displayed. All data displayed, except Income Tax Withheld – Estimate, is provided by the
Benefits Calculator. Therefore, data must be entered on all applicable forms in the Benefits Calculator before the
Retirement Planner is accessed.
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1. At the top of the form you will view your Annual and Monthly Income before retirement. The annual income is
taken from the Annuities ==> High 3 Average form. It is found in the Latest - Annual Pay field under the List Pay
Changes - Dates and Amounts.
2. The fourth item down is the Retirement Annuity Monthly Income that is taken from the Annuities ==> 7.
Benefits form. It is found on the top line of the spreadsheet under the Monthly Annuity With Survivor column.
3. The difference between the Monthly Income Before Retirement and the Retirement Annuity Monthly Income is
the Change in gross monthly income. The decrease in gross income percentage is calculated by dividing
Retirement Annuity Monthly Income by Monthly Income Before Retirement. The High 3 Average percentage is
derived by taking the High 3 Average annual salary from the Annuities ==> 3. High 3 Average form and
converting it to a monthly amount (divide by 12). The Retirement Annuity Monthly Income is then divided by the
monthly High 3 Average salary to arrive at the percentage of the monthly high 3 average salary.
4. Annuity Reductions: Early retirement age penalty, Unpaid redeposit, Unpaid deposit, and Survivor benefit
are taken from the Annuities ==> 7. Benefits form. They are found on the top line of the spreadsheet. The four
annuity reductions are subtracted from the Retirement Annuity Monthly Income. The decrease in gross income
percentage is calculated by dividing Total Reductions by Monthly Income Before Retirement.
5. Annuity Deductions: Life insurance premium, Health insurance premium, Long term care insurance
premium figures are taken from the respective forms under the insurance menu. The Income tax withheld estimate percentage is found only on this form. The decrease in in gross income percentage is calculated by
dividing Total Deductions by Monthly Income Before Retirement.
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Income Analysis – From Government Sources Only
Introduction
You will review your annual and monthly pre-retirement income (from today to retirement). You will then
compare your pre-retirement income with your annual and monthly income in retirement to age 90. The
retirement income analysis includes: Annuity, FERS Supplement, CSRS Offset, Social Security, and TSP
monthly withdrawal. The information presented on this form comes from Benefits Calculator forms. You can
switch from a yearly to a monthly view of all the income data.
Details
The Income from Government Sources Only is selected in the menu that appears under Income.
1. At the top of the form you will view your Annual or Monthly Income before Retirement starting with this year’s
salary. The annual income is taken from the Annuities ==> High 3 Average form in the Benefits Calculator.
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2. The Annuity data is taken from one of three Benefits Calculator Annuity forms (data must be entered on one
of these three forms before reviewing the Income Analysis form):
7. Benefits (CSRS),
8. Social Security – FERS Supplement (FERS and FERS Transfer), or
9. Social Security – CSRS Offset (CSRS Offset).
3. The Social Security data is taken from one of two Benefits Calculator Annuity forms (data must be entered on
one of these two forms before reviewing the Income Analysis form):
8. Social Security – FERS Supplement (FERS and FERS Transfer), or
9. Social Security – CSRS Offset (CSRS Offset).
4. TSP data is taken from the three Benefits Calculator TSP forms (data must be entered on each of these
three forms before reviewing the Income Analysis form):
Contributions,
Growth, and
Withdrawal
The TSP Withdrawal must be set to one of two options:
Monthly Payments  Payments
Monthly Payments  Life Expectancy (IRS)
Any other withdrawal setting will result in 0.00 under the TSP column.
5. The Change column depicts a change in the total income from the previous year or month.
1. A Red field flags a negative Total change
2. A Blue field flags a large change from the previous change or Total change.
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Income Analysis – From Other Sources
Introduction
You will estimate your annual and monthly retirement income starting the first year of retirement. You will then
project your annual and monthly income in retirement to age 90. You can switch from a yearly to a monthly view
of all the income data.
Details
The Income from Other Sources is selected in the menu that appears under Income.
1. On the previous Income from Government Sources form, all input comes from the Benefits Calculator – no
input is gathered for it in the retirement planner. However, the Income from Other Sources is entered in the
Retirement Planner - no input comes from the Benefits Calculator.
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2. Start by selecting the Source of the income as shown above. There are three general categories of income
sources.
3. Select a Savings / Investment source to calculate the withdrawal of any type of savings or investment. For
example in the figure above, a withdrawal from an investment is shown. In this case, the investment has grown
to $500,000 at the start of the withdrawal period. The investment is expected to continue to grow 6.4% annually.
The initial annual withdrawal is $25,000, and the amount of annual withdrawal will increase 3.5% each year.
Retirement and withdrawal from this savings/investment both begin at age 57, and the annual withdrawal will
continue through age 80.
4. After typing the entries for a Savings / Investment, press the TAB key on the keyboard. The ADD button will
become available. Click on the ADD key and the entry will be displayed on the Income Analysis - Other Sources
form.
5. After clicking on the ADD key, the following form appears.
The projection of the amount of Annual Income plus the Remaining balance in the investment is calculated and
displayed. In the picture above, you can see that the investment continues to grow until age 67. Because of the
increasing annual withdrawals, the investment balance cannot earn enough to keep up with the increasing
withdrawals starting at age 67. This report page can be printed by selecting the PRINT button (not shown).
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6. Another source of income after retirement is a part-time job.
7. Select a Job / Retirement Income source to calculate income from a part-time job or from some other source
of retirement income. For example in the figure above, an income from a job is shown. The annual income is
$15,000 to start and it is expected to grow 3% each year. The job duration extends from age 57 through age 65.
8. When the Job / Retirement Income entry is added, the following Annual Job Growth Income chart is
displayed and can be printed.
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9. Income from a Property can be added the same way as a Job/Retirement Income described in paragraph 8.
10. After you make an entry on the Income Analysis - Other Sources form, you can:
Recalculate it,
Edit it, or
Delete it
To do one of these, click on the entry and then select one of the three buttons.
a. By clicking on the Calculate button you will see the following
b. The Edit Button will display the following. Make changes, then click on the ADD button
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c. By selecting the Delete button, the highlighted line will be deleted.
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Expense Analysis – From Government Sources Only
Introduction
You will review your government sources of annual and monthly pre-retirement expenses (from today to
retirement). You will then compare your pre-retirement expense with your annual and monthly expense in
retirement to age 90. The retirement expense analysis includes: Annuity Penalties, Survivor Benefit cost, FEGLI
cost, Health insurance cost, Long Term Care insurance cost, state and federal Income Taxes. The information
presented on this form comes from the Benefits Calculator forms (except tax information - it is added on this
form). You can switch from a yearly to a monthly view of all the income data.
Details
The Expense from Government Sources Only is selected in the menu that appears under Expense.
1. At the top of the form you will view your Annual or Monthly Expense before Retirement starting with this year.
2. The Penalties and Survivor Benefit Cost data is taken from the Benefits Calculator Annuity  7. Benefits
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form (data must be entered on one of this form before reviewing the Expense – Government Sources form).
3. The FEGLI, Health and LTC data is taken from the respective forms in the Benefits Calculator (data must be
entered on one of these forms before reviewing the Expense – Government Sources form).
4. The Change column depicts a change in the total expense from the previous year or month.
1. A Red field flags a Total change of $1,000 or greater in increased expense per year
2. A Blue field flags a Total change of $500 or greater in increased expense per year.
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Expense Analysis – From Other Sources
Introduction
You will estimate your annual and monthly retirement expenses starting the first year of retirement. You will then
project your annual and monthly expense in retirement to age 90. You can switch from a yearly to a monthly
view of all the income data.
Details
The Expense from Other Sources is selected in the menu that appears under Expense.
1. On the previous Expense from Government Sources form, all input came from the Benefits Calculator – no
input is gathered for it in the retirement planner. However, the Expense from Other Sources is entered in the
Retirement Planner - no input comes from the Benefits Calculator.
2. Enter a retirement expense on the form. For example, in the figure above, annual travel is entered as shown.
In this case, the expected travel expense in the first year of retirement is $10,000. Each year the amount of
travel expense is expected to grow 5%. Travel begins at age 57 (age at retirement) and will continue through
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age 80.
3. After typing the entries for an expense, press the TAB key on the keyboard. The ADD button will become
available. Click on the ADD key, and the entry will be displayed on the Expense Analysis - Other Sources form.
4. After clicking on the ADD key, the following form appears.
The projection of the amount of Annual Expense is calculated and displayed. In the picture above, you can see
that the travel expense continues to grow until age 80. This report page can be printed by selecting the PRINT
button (not shown).
5. After you make an entry on the Expense - Other Sources form, you can:
Recalculate it,
Edit it, or
Delete it
To do one of these, click on the entry and select one of the three buttons.
a. By clicking on the Calculate button you will see the following
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b. The Edit Button will display the following. Make changes, then click on the ADD button
c. By selecting the Delete button, the highlighted line will be deleted.
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Income and Expense Analysis – From Government Sources
Introduction
You will estimate your annual and monthly retirement income and expenses starting the first year of retirement.
You will then project your annual and monthly income and expense in retirement to age 90. You can switch from
a yearly to a monthly view of all the income and expense data.
Details
The Income and Expenses from Government Sources is selected in the menu that appears under Income and
Expense.
1. The Income and Expense from Government Sources gets its input from the Retirement Planner: Income ==>
Government Sources and Expense ==> Government Sources – no input is gathered for it in the Benefits
Calculator. In addition, no entries are made on this form.
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2. All government sources of income (annuity, FERS supplement, social security, and TSP) is projected and
plotted each year on this form.
3. All government sources of expense (retirement penalties, survivor benefit, FEGLI, Health, LTC, and federal
and state taxes) is projected and plotted each year on this form.
4. It is helpful to spot from the spreadsheet and the graph on this form when expense becomes greater than
income. In the chart above, expense overtakes income at age 76 and expense becomes increasingly greater
than income each year after age 76.
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Income and Expense Analysis – From Other Sources
Introduction
You will combine your annual and monthly other income and expenses starting the first year of retirement. You
will then project your annual and monthly income and expenses in retirement to age 90. You can switch from a
yearly to a monthly view of all the income data.
Details
The Income and Expenses from Other Sources is selected in the menu that appears under Income and
Expense.
1. The Income and Expense from Other Sources gets its input from the Retirement Planner: Income ==> Other
Sources and Expense ==> Other Sources – no input is gathered for it in the Benefits Calculator. In addition, no
entries are made on this form.
2. Other Income and Expenses are displayed together in the chart and graph.
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3. You can display both yearly amounts and monthly amounts by selecting either from the two buttons in the
upper left corner of the form.
4. It is helpful to spot from the spreadsheet and the graph on this form when expense from other sources
becomes greater than income from other sources. In the chart above, expense overtakes income at age 57 and
continues to be greater than income each year until age 81.
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Income and Expense Analysis – From All Sources
Introduction
You will combine all your annual and monthly retirement income and all other income and all sources of
expenses starting the first year of retirement. You will then project your retirement income and expenses and
other income and expenses in retirement to age 90. You can switch from a yearly to a monthly view of all the
income data.
Details
The Income and Expenses from All Sources is selected in the menu that appears under Income and Expense.
1. The Income and Expense from All Sources gets its input from the Benefits Calculator and the Retirement
Planner. No entries are made on this form.
2. All sources of Income and Expense are displayed together in the chart and graph.
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3. You can display both yearly amounts and monthly amounts by selecting either from the two buttons in the
upper left corner of the form.
4. This chart sums up all entries from the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner. All sources of income are
compared with all sources of expense. Therefore, it is the most critical of all forms in the CSRS and FERS
Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner. It will display the affordability of your retirement plan.
5. If there are periods when expense is greater than income, then a critical look at all the factors impacting this
can be viewed on the many Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms. Examining the income and
expense sources and thinking about what can be done with them (decreasing insurance, timing of retirement,
increasing TSP savings, timing TSP and social security withdrawal, timing the paying off of bills, cutting back on
travel, and many other items). Changes can be easily entered into the program. The results can be viewed in
the Retirement Planner forms and the report pages. Many scenarios can be analyzed in this way so that you
form a strategy for achieving an affordable retirement.
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Fix Problems
Introduction
A few of our new customers have made entry errors in the other sources of income and expense. This has
caused, in the past, the Retirement Planner to exit forms when they are first started. We have found most of the
bugs that cause this, but we have added, for this release, the capability to remove data entry errors that cause
this kind of problem. Fix Problems should only be used if all other efforts fail.
Details
1. Select Fix Problems in the Retirement Planner, if you have difficulties when you first enter one of these forms
and it refuses to display:
Income - Other Sources
Expense - Other Sources
Income and Expense - Other Sources
Income and Expense - All Sources
2. When you select Fix Problems, the Fix: Other Income or Other Expense Problems pop-up form appears.
3. If you are having difficult with the Income ==> Other Sources, then first select the Print button. The following
Other Sources of Income in Retirement form will be displayed so that you can Print this form for future
reference.
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4. Next, select the Delete button to remove all entries in the Income ==> Other Sources form.
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5. Finally, select Income ==> Other Sources and use the data that you printed in step 3 as a reference as you
re-enter your data on this form.
6. If you are having problems on the Expense ==> Other Sources form, then follow the procedure above.
7. If you are having problems on the Income and Expense ==> Other Sources form, then follow the procedure
above for both forms: Income ==> Other Sources and Expense ==> Other Sources.
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Professional Features
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Data Files
Enter new client data
Create custom report cover page
Create either a paper or Adobe Acrobat Reader file - Federal Employee Benefits
Analysis report
Client files
• Access:
• Store client file on the hard drive
• Retrieve client file from the hard drive
• Delete client files stored on the hard drive
• Import old client files from previous versions of the Benefits Calculator
• Backup client files to a CD
• Restore client files from a CD
Agent quick form selection
Agent Information
Print client fact finder that can be customized and then used to collect data
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Data Files (Personal PLUS and Professional versions)
1. As you enter data, the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner programs create and store your personal
data automatically in small xxxxxxxx.DAT files. These files are stored in the hard drive directory with the
Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner programs. These xxxxxxxx.DAT files are referred to as CURRENT
DATA.
2. The xxxxxxxx.DAT files are used by the various input forms and report pages to convert personal data into
information. The Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program forms and the Report Program gather
data from other forms, and combine, calculate and project the gathered data to create information and graphics
for your analysis.
3. If you want to get the look and feel of all parts of the program then you can select VIEW and PRINT
SAMPLE DATA (Professional Version only). If you have entered data previously this will replace it the with
sample data. Then Select Print Reports. If you go to any of the forms before selecting Print Reports, some
sample data could be altered or lost. You can also Select Charts to view the charts generated from the sample
data.
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Enter new client data (Professional version)
Introduction
When you have finished working on a client and your are ready to enter data for another client, you must erase
the current client's data (data that is being used by the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms) so
that new data can be entered.
Details
1. Select ENTER NEW DATA (ERASE CURRENT DATA) on the Professional menu This will delete your
client's data from the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms so that you will not mix client data.
2. Before you do this, you should store your client's data (see the client files section of this document).
IMPORTANT NOTE for Professional Users: You must execute ENTER NEW DATA (ERASE Current DATA)
before you enter new client information. If you do not do this, then you could mix current client data with new
client data. We have found that failure to erase current data to be the most common problem with our new
customers.
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Create custom report cover page (Professional version)
Introduction
This part of the program provides the Professional User with an option to add five lines of custom wording at the
bottom of the Cover report page and the same or different wording on the Disclaimer report page. Each line can
contain 105 characters. The data entered will appear just above the footer on the appropriate page.
Details
1. To access this option: (1) Select Professional from the top menu, and (2) Custom Report Cover Page.
2. The Custom Statements - Cover and Disclaimer Report Pages form appears.
3. Type the text you would like on the Cover Page in one or more of the five lines provided. Do the same for the
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Disclaimer Page in one or more of the five lines provided.
4. Select whether the text will be Center or Left Justified.
5. When you are finished, click the OK button.
6. Next, select Print Report under the File menu.
7. You can then select either the Cover or Disclaimer page to view.
8. If you want to make changes, go to the Professional menu and select the Custom Report Cover Page.
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9. If you decide you do not want the text on one or both pages, you can click on the Clear Cover or Clear
Disclaimer button then press OK.
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Client Files (Professional version)
Introduction
Professional users have the option to store their client's data in a client folder. Many professionals use this
option so that each client's data can be updated in the future.
Details
1. The client file system is accessed by clicking on Client Files under the professional menu.
2. The client file system is then displayed.
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Save Client file on the hard drive (in a Client File Folder in your computer - Professional
version)
1. You can save the client data you are currently working on in a client file folder on your computer's hard drive.
2. The name of the client you are working on is displayed in the box that is titled, "You are Working on this
Client." In this case, Sid Green
3. To save the client you are working on (Sid Green):
(a) Type a Client Folder (8 characters maximum) in the small, pale yellow window titled Client Folder.
The recommended method is a numbering system (e.g., first client could be 0001 and the second could be
0002.). Sid Green will be stored with a client folder 0005 (see form above).
(b) Next click on the Save Client button. This will store the client's data in a Client file folder attached to
the Benefits Calculator folder on your computer's hard drive.
4. After you have saved your client's data to a client file folder and you are ready to enter data for a different
client, you must remove the previous client's data (Sid Green’s data was saved to client file folder 0005 in
step 3 above), and it is still available for editing on all of the Benefits Calculator forms (Annuities, TSP,
Insurance and Analysis). To remove Sid’s data from all the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms so
that a new client’s data can be entered, click on Professional ==> Enter New Date (Erase Current Data).
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Retrieve client data files from the hard drive (previously saved in a Client File Folder Professional version)
You can retrieve a client's data from the hard drive and place it on all the Benefits Calculator and Retirement
Planner forms by first clicking on the Client's Name (Sally Jones in the example below) in the spreadsheet then
click on the Retrieve Client Data button
Caution: This will overwrite all data that you are currently working on the Benefits Calculator and
Retirement Planner forms. In this case, Sally Jones (Client Folder 0002) will replace Sid Green's data in the
the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms. However, this is not a problem since Sid Green's data
was previously saved in Client Folder 0005.
1. Click on the client that you want to retrieve (in this case Sally Jones)
2. Click on Retrieve Client Data.
a. All data in all the Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms will be deleted (in this case Sid
Green's data)
b. All Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner forms will then contain the personal data of the
retrieved client (in this case Sally Jones).
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Delete client's folder stored on the hard drive (previously saved - Professional version)
You can remove old or unwanted client files by clicking on the Professional menu then click on Client Files.
Next find the client file you want to delete in the spreadsheet and click on the client name (e.g., Bob Brown). The
Client Folder will appear in the Client Folder box. Finally, click on the Delete Client Data button.
Page 107 of 133
Import old client files (from an older version of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator Professional version)
Introduction
This professional feature provides an easy way to import client files from previous versions of the CSRS and
FERS Benefits Calculator.
Details
1. After selecting Import Old Client Files, the Benefits Calculator will search for installations from previous years
of the software. For example, the program will search for the 2005 version in the c:\BenFit05 folder; it will search
for the 2006 version in the c:\BefFit06 folder, etc.
2. If a previous installation is found, the year and number of client files will be displayed. The search starts with
the year 2000 and progresses to year 2007 version.
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3. Next click on the year from which you want to import client files (for example. 2007).
4. The Import button will be enabled. Click on it to begin the import process.
5. If current client file folder is found that matches the old client folder you are importing, a warning message will
be presented. You must decide if you want to replace the new file by importing the old file.
Page 109 of 133
Backup client files to a CD (Professional version)
Introduction
It is a good practice to backup your client files to a CD on a regular basis. If you hard drive crashes or your
computer becomes disabled, you will be able to easily restore all your client files to a new hard drive or to a
different computer.
Details
1. Click on Backup Client Files on CD from the professional menu.
2. The Client Files - CD Backup program will start.
3. The CD/DVD Drive lists the available CD/DVD drives on your computer. Select the drive that you will use.
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4. Click on the Backup Client Files button.
5. Place a blank CD in the selected drive.
6. Click on the Backup button.
7. The program may run for several minutes. It first copies all your client files to the CD. Next, it verifies that
there are no errors in the copied client files.
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Restore client files from a CD (Professional version)
Introduction
If your computer's hard drive crashes or your computer becomes disabled, you will be able to easily restore all
your client files to a new hard drive or to a different computer.
Details
1. Click on Restore Client Files From CD from the professional menu.
2. The Restore (Retrieve) Client Files program will start.
3. The CD/DVD Drive lists the available CD/DVD drives on your computer. Select the drive that you will use.
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4. Click on the Retrieve Client Files button.
5. Place the CD that contains the client files in the selected drive.
6. Click on the Retrieve button.
7. The program may run for several minutes, and it will display each file copied from the CD to the Benefits
Calculator/Retirement Planner folder on your computer's hard drive.
Page 113 of 133
Agent quick form selection (Professional version)
Introduction
There are several data input forms in the Benefits Calculator program. You may find that some forms will be
used with every client while others will rarely be used. The Agent Quick Form Selection feature allows you to
turn on menu access for the frequently accessed forms and to turn off menu access for the rarely used forms.
Details
1. The Agent Quick Form Selection feature is found by clicking on the Professional menu option at the top of
the screen.
2. Click on the Agent Quick Form Selection.
3. On the left side of the form, you will see several forms that you may or may not want access.
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3. Click the boxes at the left of the forms to turn on or off menu access to these forms.. You can rapidly select
all forms (recommended) by clicking on the Select All button on the lower left.
4. The forms that you selected will be available from the menu at the top of the Benefits Calculator. Those forms
not selected will not be accessible from the Benefits Calculator menu.
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Agent Information (Professional version)
When you run the Benefits Calculator for the first time, you will be required to enter the following information:
Once this information is entered in the program, it cannot be changed (except the Company Name). It is very
important to check your work for errors before exiting this feature. The agent information you entered will be
formatted and displayed on the front cover of all reports you prepare for your clients. In addition, the company
name you entered will be displayed as a footer on all pages after the cover page.
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Print client fact finder (Professional version)
The Professional version of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator provides a ready made Client
Questionnaire (Fact Finder – Federal Employees Benefits Analysis Questionnaire) form that can be: (1) called
up by the Benefits Calculator, (2) displayed and (3) printed.
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This provides the professional user with a means to gather client information on a questionnaire that is designed
for easy and quick data entry into the Benefits Calculator / Retirement Planner. The file is designed to run in
Windows Wordpad program (or Microsoft Word). To access the Fact Finder, select it from the Professional
Menu. In order to display the Fact Finder file, Windows must recognize the file type .RTF (Rich Text Format)
format and then automatically launch the Windows Wordpad program. Windows is usually configured to do this.
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Printing Reports
1. Select File (on the menu at the top of the screen) then select Print Report from the drop down menu.
2. You can then select the individual report page you want to print or view on the screen from the report page
menu. For example, the Benefits Analysis – Summary page was selected.
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3. After viewing a report pages on the screen, select a one of four PRINT buttons:
•
•
•
•
Print Preview Page will send the page that is displayed to the right of these buttons to the printer.
Print Government Pages Report will send all government benefits from the Benefits Calculator and
Retirement Planner to the printer.
Print Non-Government Pages Report will send these Retirement Planner only form data: Income ==>
Other Sources, Expense ==> Other Sources, Income and Expense ==> Other Sources and Income and
Expense ==> All Sources pages to the printer.
Print Custom Report will send all report pages selected on the Create Custom Report form (see the
Create A Custom Report section of this manual for detail) to the printer (Professional Version only).
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Page 121 of 133
4. Select Setup Printer before you start your printing to select a printer and to adjust printer properties.
5. Before printing, make sure you have entered data on the forms. You will get error messages if you do not do
this.
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Create custom report
Introduction
This Professional feature defines a set of individual report pages that make up the pages that are part of your
client’s report.
Details
1. To create a custom report select File ==> Print Report in the Benefits Calculator.
2. After opening the Print Report program, you should familiarize yourself with the report pages. The menu of
report pages is listed in the upper-left corner of the Print Report program.
3. Click on each report page to view it on screen.
4. After you are familiar with all available report pages, select Create Custom Report from the menu in the
Report program.
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5. The Create Custom Report – Page Selection form will appear.
6. Select the report pages that you want. Finally, press the Save Custom Report button.
7. Click on the exit button.
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8. After accessing the Print Report Preview Form, press the Print Custom Report button.
9. All selected pages on the Custom Report – Page Selection form (see #5 above) will be printed.
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Create either a paper or Adobe Acrobat Reader file - Federal Employee
Benefits Analysis report
Introduction
You have the option to either print the Federal Employee Benefits Analysis report to a printer or create and
Adobe Acrobat Reader file that contains the Federal Employee Benefits Analysis report. The Adobe Feature
was requested by many professional customers so that updated reports could be created and then sent to
clients as an email attachment. However, Personal PLUS customers can use this feature to make changes on
various forms and then a print report in Adobe Acrobat files. This process can be repeated many times. The
Adobe reports can then be viewed to analyze the consequences of each change.
Details
1. Before continuing here, please see the Printing Reports section of this document.
2. The Adobe Acrobat File is only available with the Print Custom Report option.
3. Select the Adobe option by placing a check mark in the PDF box (see above).
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4. Click on the Print Custom Report button. The following message will appear.
5. After the file is created it is saved in a location that is shown in a pop-up message (see below).
6. After clicking on the OK button, the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program will start and display the report.
7. You can send the report as an email attachment by clicking on the email symbol in the Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
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8. Your email program (Outlook Express is shown below) should start.
9. You can then: (1) enter the email address of your client, (2) change the Subject if you like, (3) enter a
message in the body of the email, and (4) press the Send button to email your updated report to your client.
10. You can save your Adobe report file by clicking on the icon shown or click on File ==> Save A Copy option in
the Adobe menu.
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Import Personal Data from an earlier program - Trial and Personal PLUS
Introduction
If you purchased an earlier Personal PLUS version of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement
Planner, then you can import your personal data files from it into the Trial and Personal PLUS versions of the
version 8 program.
Details
1. If you have not entered your personal data into the version 8 program, when you click File you will see,
"Import Personal Data Files." If you have entered your personal data, then this menu option will not be visible.
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2. Next, you will see the personal data files import menu. In this example, the 2006 program is installed on the
user's computer and contains personal data.
3. Select the year of the program that contains the personal data to import. Then click on the Import button.
4. After the data files are imported, you will see the, "Import Complete," message. You are now ready to work
with your existing data files in version 8.
5. Review the Getting Started section of this document for assistance in using the version 8 program.
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License:
The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program (hereafter Calculator, Program or
Software) and documentation are copyrighted material. The use and copying of this product are subject to a
single user on a single computer license agreement between Decision Support Software LLC (hereafter DSS)
and the purchaser. Any other use is prohibited. No part of this program and associated documentation may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by
any means without the prior written consent of Decision Support Software LLC. This program is not licensed to
be used on a network. Federal Copyright law permits you to make a backup of this software for archival
purposes only. Any other duplication of this software, including copies offered through sale, loan, rental or gift is
in violation of law, and subject to both criminal and civil penalties.
You acknowledge that DSS is the owner of the software and related documents and that the software and
related documents are protected by U.S. Copyright laws and international treaty provisions. You acknowledge
that you may not copy the software or related documents, nor may you download or transmit the software,
electronically, via disc or via any other means, except as provided for by this license.
You acknowledge that you may not reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or otherwise derive source code
from the software. You acknowledge that you may not provide your unlock code to any person not authorized to
use the software by this license. You acknowledge that you may not alter or remote any copyright or proprietary
rights notice or identification which indicates DSS’ ownership of any part of the software or related documents.
If you have any questions regarding this license, you may contact us by writing or calling DSS at the following
address:
Decision Support Software LLC
P.O. Box 2368
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916-791-1002
Page 131 of 133
Disclaimer and Limitations of Liability:
The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program illustrate estimates of cost and
benefits for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS),
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employees Health
Benefits Program (FEHBP), and Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance. Some estimates are based on assumptions,
which may affect the results, and may differ from actual experience. Since future costs and benefits cannot be
projected with absolute certainty, you should not base your financial decisions solely on the estimates of this
program, and it is recommended to consult with your personnel office or the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM), Retirement Information Office 1-888-767-6738.
Neither DSS nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the CSRS and
FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program shall be liable for any indirect, consequential, or
incidental damages (including, but not limited to, damages for loss of business or personal profits, business or
personal interruption, and loss of business or personal information) arising from the use of (or inability to use)
the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program.
Limited Warranty: DSS warrants only that the physical media and physical documentation enclosed herein are
free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of license, and no
other warranties apply. If you notify DSS within the warranty period and DSS determines that such defects fall
within the limited warranty provided by this license, DSS, at its option will repair or replace the defective media
and/or documentation or refund you the amount you paid for a license of the software and/or related documents.
The entire and exclusive liability and remedy for breach of this limited warranty shall be limited to replacement of
the defective media and/or documentation or refund of the full license price of the software and/or related
documents. In no event shall DSS’ liability exceed the amount of money you paid to license the software. DSS’
liability shall not extend to any claim for any other damages, including but not limited to, loss of profit, data or
use of the software, or special, incidental, or consequential damages or other similar claims.
To the extent allowable by law, DSS specifically disclaims any and all other warranties, express or implied,
including but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. To the
extent allowable by law, the limited warranties provided herein shall terminate thirty (30) days from the date of
first delivery of the software to you. You agree to assume full and sole responsibility for the selection of the
software to achieve your intended purposes, for the proper installation, use of the software and verifying the
results and output obtained from the use of the software and related documents. DSS does not warrant that the
program will meet your requirements or that the program is error-free.
Limitation/disclaimer of liability: You acknowledge and agree that, unless and only to the extent a disclaimer of
any particular liability is prohibited by applicable law, neither DSS nor anyone else who has been involved in the
creation, production, or delivery of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner program
shall be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, punitive or consequential damages, including but not limited to
damages for loss of profits or confidential or other information, legal malpractice, business interruption, personal
injury, loss of privacy, failure to meet any duty including that of good faith or of reasonable care, negligence, and
any other loss, pecuniary or otherwise, that may arise out of use, misuse or the inability to use the software and
related documents, even if DSS has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You acknowledge that
DSS is not engaged in rendering legal or financial advice and the software and the related documents are not a
substitute for the advice of an attorney or financial advisor. DSS shall have no liability for your misuse of the
software, or errors that you may make in connection with using the software.
Page 132 of 133
Technical Support
Benefits Calculator Personal PLUS Free Trial version
No email or phone support is provided however our website may have the answers to your questions.
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com contains product information,
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/FAQ.htm contains frequently asked questions, and
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/Support.htm contains technical support solutions.
Benefits Calculator Personal PLUS and Professional versions
Questions concerning the operation of the program are answered without limitations and without cost to you:
Website: Look here first. It takes the least amount of time and contains answers to many questions.
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com contains product information,
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/FAQ.htm contains frequently asked questions, and
http://www.fedretiresoftware.com/Support.htm contains technical support solutions.
Email is the preferred method for answering program related questions. You must be specific in your
questions. Frequently, a program message with a Reference Number will be displayed when something
unusual happens. Please, refer to the Reference Number and give supporting details. We access our email
seven days each week, multiple times per day. Our email address is:
Question Types
Program Related:
We will answer all questions relating to the operation of the program, and we will provide
supplemental help in understanding any aspect of the operation of the program. There is no charge for this
service (see limitations above). Please, send your questions by email to:
Retirement Benefits Related:
We are not licensed to answer questions relating to interpretation of retirement law, retirement
rules, retirement benefits calculations, etc. Sources available to help with these types of questions:
Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Retirement Information Office at 1-888-767-6738.
They have a large collection of retirement pamphlets and materials available for free reading or Downloading
from their website: http://www.opm.gov/retire/.
My Federal Retirement – Online guide to federal employee benefits and retirement planning.
http://www.myfederalretirement.com
Federal Soup A place to share, debate, discuss. Join thousands of federal and postal
employees in an online discussion community.
http://www.FederalSoup.com.
Page 133 of 133

The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and

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