Putting It All Together
Your Personalized Federal Retirement Plan
Connect the dots and walk away with clarity
You've made it through the maze: the eligibility rules, the benefit structures, the acronyms, and the strategy decisions. Now it's time to put the whole picture together.
This final module exists for one reason: to help you connect the dots and walk away with clarity. Whether you are ten months or ten years from retirement, this is where it all starts to make sense.
🎯 Ready to See Your Complete Retirement Picture?
Before diving into the details, use our comprehensive 3 Pillars Calculator to model your entire retirement scenario. This powerful tool integrates all three pillars of your federal retirement into one seamless calculation.
Launch 3 Pillars Calculator →Let's walk through it step by step.
🏛️ Step 1: Revisit the Three Pillars of Your Retirement
Your retirement income is not just a single stream. It is made up of three separate components that work together to provide security, flexibility, and longevity protection.
FERS Pension
This is your guaranteed monthly paycheck for life. It is based on a formula that uses your creditable service and your high-three average salary. Once you meet eligibility, your pension can start immediately. It also comes with the option to add a survivor benefit, but that decision must be made at retirement. If you decline it, your spouse will not be eligible to keep FEHB after your death. This election is permanent.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Your TSP is your self-managed retirement savings and investment vehicle. It allows you to choose between Traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) contributions. The size of your TSP at retirement depends on your contributions, your agency match, and how your money was invested over time. Unlike your pension, your TSP gives you total control over withdrawals.
FERS Retiree Annuity Supplement (RAS)
If you retire before age 62 with full eligibility, you may qualify for this additional benefit. The FERS supplement bridges the gap between your retirement and age 62 by mimicking the Social Security benefit you earned from federal service only. It ends at 62 whether or not you start collecting Social Security at that time. The earnings test for the supplement matches the Social Security rules.
Social Security
Social Security is your third income stream. You can claim it as early as age 62 or delay as late as age 70. Your Social Security benefit is based on your 35 highest-earning years of covered work. The decision about when to claim should be made with taxes, longevity, and potential IRMAA thresholds in mind.
🛠️ Step 2: Use the Right Tools
You now have real, working calculators designed specifically for your situation. These are not generic investment tools; they are built for federal employees, with your actual benefit structure and options in mind.
| Tool | What It Does | Use It When | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🧩 3 Pillars Calculator | Calculates your pension, Social Security (RAS or full), and TSP projections — with side-by-side income comparisons before and after retirement. | Use this first. It gives you the big picture and ties everything together. | Launch Tool |
| 🎖 Military Buyback Calculator | Estimates your military deposit cost, interest, added pension value, and breakeven point. | Use if you served active duty and haven't bought your time yet. | Calculate Buyback |
| 📆 FERS Milestone Tracker | Maps your key career milestones like MRA+10, pension eligibility, Social Security start dates, Medicare, and more. | Use if you're unsure when you can retire or want to plan backwards. | Track Milestones |
| 📊 TSP Contribution Calculator | Lets you test different TSP contribution levels and see how they impact your end balance with matching. | Use when setting contribution strategy or changing payroll deductions. | Plan Contributions |
| 🔁 TSP Roth Conversion Calculator | Projects the long-term benefit and tax cost of converting Traditional TSP to Roth during retirement. | Use in early retirement/gap years before age 63 or RMDs. | Analyze Conversion |
| 💵 Compound Interest Tool | Shows how consistent TSP contributions can grow over time. | Use for visual learners or early-career feds. | See Growth |
| 🏖 Annual Leave Payout Estimator | Calculates the value of your final AL check when you retire. | Use 1–2 years out to estimate your last paycheck. | Calculate Payout |
| 🕒 Sick Leave Conversion Tool | Converts your unused sick leave hours into additional retirement service credit. | Use once you've hit eligibility but want to increase your pension. | Convert Hours |
| ⚠️ Severance Pay vs Pension Tool | Compares what happens if you take severance and leave vs sticking it out to pension eligibility. | Use if facing RIF, early buyout, or career switch. | Compare Options |
| 📅 Best Retirement Date Optimizer | Helps you pick the exact retirement date to maximize AL payout, COLAs, and first pension check timing. | Use within your final year when locking in your date. | Optimize Date |
Each of these tools supports clear, informed decision-making. You're no longer guessing. You're modeling.
🗺️ Step 3: Create Your Personal Retirement Strategy
Retirement is not a formula. It is a personal plan. Use the education you've gained, and the tools in your pocket, to ask the right questions:
- When do I realistically want to stop working?
- How much income do I actually need per month in retirement?
- Am I eligible for the FERS Supplement?
- When should I start drawing from my TSP?
- Should I take Social Security at 62, 67, or later?
- Will my spouse be financially protected if I pass first?
- Do I want to leave a financial legacy or focus on quality of life now?
- What will my health insurance cost be year by year?
Put these answers together into a working timeline. Include your planned separation date, your TSP strategy, your Social Security start date, and a backup plan if needed. This is your roadmap.
🧭 Create Your Timeline Now
Use the FERS Milestone Tracker to map out your key retirement dates and eligibility milestones.
Track Your Milestones →🚫 Step 4: Avoid Common Mistakes
These are the most common regrets federal employees have after they retire, and they are almost always preventable. This is your last chance to catch those errors while there's still time to fix them.
- Forgetting to elect a survivor benefit (permanently disqualifies spouse from FEHB)
- Assuming MRA+10 gives you the same benefits as regular retirement
- Misunderstanding the rules for TSP early withdrawals or penalties
- Not buying back military time when eligible
- Overlooking temporary time that can be credited if a deposit is made
- Confusing postponed vs. deferred retirement and losing FEHB
- Waiting too long to start retirement planning and leaving money on the table
- Ignoring IRMAA thresholds and paying thousands more in Medicare premiums
✅ Step 5: Lock It In and Take Action
Here is your final action checklist:
- ✅Save your calculator results.
- ✅Create your written plan and timeline.
- ✅Schedule a retirement counseling session with HR.
- ✅Print your SF-50s, buyback receipts, and TSP statements.
- ✅Share your plan with your spouse or accountability partner.
- ✅Revisit this plan once a year and adjust based on life and law changes.
This is your FedPlan.
Not just a tool. Not just a theory. It is a living, breathing plan to get you from federal service to financial freedom — with clarity and confidence.
💰 Financial Reality Check: Will You Have Enough?
A successful retirement requires honest math. Here's how to project your retirement income and expenses:
Income Projection Worksheet
⚠️ Don't Forget These Expenses:
- Healthcare premiums: FEHB costs increase in retirement (no employer contribution)
- Long-term care: Not covered by FEHB or Medicare
- Inflation: 3% annual inflation means expenses double in 24 years
- Taxes: Federal pension is fully taxable; TSP withdrawals too
- Emergency fund: Keep 6-12 months of expenses liquid
✅ Action Checklists by Career Stage
Your retirement planning priorities change throughout your career. Here's what to focus on at each stage:
🌱 Early Career (0-10 Years)
- Contribute at least 5% to TSP for full match
- Start military buyback process if applicable
- Keep all SF-50s and service documentation
- Understand your retirement system (FERS/FERS-RAE/FERS-FRAE)
- Build emergency fund (3-6 months expenses)
- Review beneficiary designations annually
🌳 Mid-Career (10-20 Years)
- Increase TSP contributions to 10-15%+
- Verify your service computation date
- Calculate retirement eligibility dates
- Start tracking High-3 salary
- Consider FEGLI reduction options
- Research state tax implications
🌲 Late Career (20+ Years)
- Request retirement estimate from HR
- Attend pre-retirement seminars
- Maximize TSP contributions (catch-up if 50+)
- Plan FEHB coverage for retirement
- Decide on TSP withdrawal strategy
- Update estate planning documents
🎯 Final Year Before Retirement
- Submit retirement application 60-120 days out
- Verify all service credit is documented
- Coordinate last day (end of month)
- Plan for lump-sum annual leave payment
- Set up TSP withdrawal elections
- Apply for Social Security if 62+
🌳 Decision Trees: Choosing Your Retirement Path
Your retirement timing decision depends on multiple factors. Work through this decision tree to identify your optimal path:
Are you at least at your MRA with 30+ years of service?
YES → Immediate Retirement
- Full pension (1.0% or 1.1% x years x high-3)
- FERS Supplement until age 62
- FEHB continues
- TSP access without penalty
NO → Continue to Next Question
Check if you meet other eligibility criteria...
Are you age 60+ with 20+ years of service?
YES → Immediate Retirement
- Full pension benefits
- FERS Supplement until age 62
- All benefits continue
NO → Continue to Next Question
Explore MRA+10 or deferred options...
Are you at MRA with 10-29 years of service?
YES → MRA+10 (Reduced)
- 5% reduction per year under age 62
- No FERS Supplement
- FEHB continues if eligible
- Consider postponing to age 60!
NO → Keep Working or Defer
- Build more service credit
- Increase High-3 average
- Grow TSP balance
- Consider deferred retirement at 62
🎭 Scenario Planning: Compare Your Options
Let's look at how different retirement strategies play out with real numbers. These scenarios assume a GS-13 Step 5 employee with a High-3 of $110,000:
| Scenario | Age/Service | Annual Pension | FERS Supplement | Key Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Retirement | MRA (57) + 30 years | $33,000 | $24,000/year until 62 | Full benefits, stop earning |
| MRA+10 (Reduced) | MRA (57) + 20 years | $17,600 (reduced from $22,000) |
None | Immediate income but permanently reduced |
| Postponed | Leave at 57, start at 60 | $22,000 (full amount) |
$18,000/year (60-62) | 3-year gap, but full benefits |
| Continue Working | Retire at 62 + 35 years | $42,350 (1.1% multiplier) |
None (past 62) | Higher pension, more TSP growth |
| VERA Offer | Age 52 + 25 years | $27,500 | $20,000/year until 62 | Early exit, possible incentive pay |
📅 Your Federal Career Timeline
Every federal employee's path to retirement is unique, but certain milestones are universal. This timeline shows when you become eligible for different benefits and retirement options based on your start date and age.
Key Eligibility Milestones
Year 1: Foundation
- TSP automatic enrollment begins (5% agency match after 1 year)
- FEHB coverage starts (keep enrollment records!)
- Consider military buyback if applicable
Year 5: Vesting
- Vested in FERS pension (eligible for deferred retirement)
- Meet 5-year rule for FEHB in retirement
- Review and increase TSP contributions
Year 10: Options Open
- MRA+10 retirement becomes available at MRA
- Consider postponed retirement strategy
- Evaluate Special Category Employee options if applicable
Year 20: Full Benefits Approaching
- Age 60+20 retirement eligibility (if 60 or older)
- FERS Supplement available with immediate retirement
- Begin detailed retirement planning
Year 30: Maximum Flexibility
- MRA+30 immediate retirement (full benefits)
- Consider working past eligibility for higher pension
- Phased retirement option available
🎯 Ready to Build Your Personalized Retirement Plan?
You've learned the strategies and understood the tools. Now it's time to run your actual numbers and see your complete retirement picture.
Model multiple retirement dates
See income projections
Plan your optimal strategy
Related Learning Center Topics
Ready to Retire Soon?
- 🎯 The Final Approach - Your last year checklist
- ⚠️ HR Myths & Mistakes - Critical errors to avoid
- 📅 Best Retirement Date Optimizer - Pick the perfect date
Need to Review the Basics?
- 💵 Calculating Your Pension - Understanding the formula
- 📊 The Thrift Savings Plan - TSP strategies
- 🏛️ Social Security & FERS Supplement - Your third pillar
Special Circumstances?
- 🎖 Military Service Credit - Buy back your time
- ♿ Disability Retirement - Different rules apply
- 🚨 RIF, VERA, VSIP - Early out options
Advanced Planning
- 🏯 Insurance in Retirement - FEHB & FEGLI decisions
- 📈 Advanced Tax Planning - Minimize your tax burden
- 🧩 All Calculators - Browse all planning tools
📖 Remember: Knowledge + Action = Success
You now have all the knowledge and tools you need. The difference between those who retire well and those who struggle is taking action. Use the calculators, create your plan, and review it annually. Your future self will thank you for the effort you put in today.