All articles about The USPS Retirement Guide: Postal Rules & PSHB.
What USPS employees can use instead of ProFeds and FedImpact seminars for postal-specific retirement planning — free resources, union departments, independent guides, and when a seminar still makes sense.
Choosing the right retirement resource when you're 1 to 3 years from your USPS separation date — what to look for, what to avoid, and which options actually cover postal-specific rules.
A postal worker's guide to handling FERS/CSRS retirement independently — what you can do yourself, which free resources actually help, and when you genuinely need professional help.
PSHB plans automatically enroll Medicare-eligible postal retirees in Part D through an integrated EGWP. Learn how it works, what opting out costs, and IRMAA surcharges.
PSHB Open Season 2026 runs mid-November through mid-December. Learn the enrollment dates, how to compare 75 plan options, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
PSHB replaced FEHB for all USPS employees and retirees on January 1, 2025. Here's what's different, what the Medicare Part B mandate means, and how premiums compare.
How USPS annual leave payout works at retirement, including the 520/640-hour carryover limits, sick leave service credit, and tax treatment of your terminal leave check.
How USPS eRetire on LiteBlue works for annuity estimates and counseling, plus why you must download your eOPF before separation permanently locks you out.
USPS bargaining unit employees can carry over 520 hours of annual leave through 2026. EAS employees get 640 hours. Learn the rules and how to maximize your payout.
USPS retirement age depends on your birth year and retirement system. See the FERS MRA chart, CSRS eligibility, and the three paths to an unreduced postal pension.
Calculate your USPS retirement annuity using the FERS or CSRS pension formula. Learn how high-3 salary, years of service, and non-career time affect your monthly check.
A complete 2026 USPS retirement checklist covering eOPF download, ORA digital application, PSHB enrollment, interim pay, and the OPM finalization timeline.
FERS postal retirees received a 2.0% COLA in 2026. CSRS retirees got 2.8%. Learn how the diet COLA formula works and when you start receiving adjustments.
Choosing the best USPS retirement date affects your leave payout taxes, COLA timing, and annuity start. Compare December vs January and other key timing factors.
Comparing a postal retirement guide to hiring a federal retirement counselor — cost, depth, postal-specific coverage, and when each option makes sense for USPS employees.
How a postal-specific retirement guide compares to what your union's retirement department provides — what each covers, what each misses, and when you need both.
Your USPS retirement annuity is based on your high-3 average salary. Learn what counts, what's excluded, and how to maximize the highest 36 consecutive months.
USPS interim pay covers 60-80% of your estimated annuity during OPM processing. Learn the timeline, what's excluded, and how to manage BENEFEDS premiums.
USPS employees can buy back military service time to increase their FERS or CSRS pension. Learn the deposit calculation, deadline, and how it affects your annuity.
A chronological USPS retirement timeline from 5 years out through your first annuity check. Covers eOPF audit, ORA application, interim pay, and PSHB coordination.
Looking for USPS retirement help? Compare free seminars, union retirement departments, NARFE, FERSGUIDE, and independent resources for postal employees planning retirement.
How USPS retirement survivor benefits work under FERS and CSRS, including the annuity election cost, PSHB health coverage continuation, and the GPO repeal impact.
USPS retirees face taxes on their FERS/CSRS annuity, terminal leave payout, and TSP withdrawals. Learn the tax rules and how to avoid surprises in your first year.
How to access your TSP after USPS retirement, including the 30-60 day lockout, the age 55 penalty-free rule, catch-up limits, and RMD ages under SECURE 2.0.
USPS periodically offers Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. Learn VERA eligibility, how the annuity reduction works, and what RIF retirement means for postal employees.
The Social Security Fairness Act repealed WEP and GPO. USPS CSRS retirees can now collect full Social Security benefits. Learn what to do if you haven't filed yet.