Hello, Retired Fed Sig members well after 38 years of Federal service I'm retiring on 2/28/23.

My question is what should I do/join/take advantage of before I'm out the door?

I'm not looking for financial type advice, as an example once I give up my PIV card up I will no longer have access to military bases and I was thinking about taking the FFA test which you can do for free on a base as a Fed so that goes away.

I've been a member of the credit union so that's done.

What else should I do?

Thanks

Needabiggersafe

Don't give up your FEHB.

You can still access military bases w/proper ID.

Be sure to download and save your eOPF file before you lose computer access.

Make a copy of your electronic personnel file. Once you are out the door, you cannot access it.

Roll your TSP over into a managed IRA.

Wow, you guys are fast the HR department did print my EOPF out, about a two-inch document.

I'll see if I can save it electronically.

Needabiggersafe

Retired friends have told me that the time to receive the benefit/pension has taken longer than they expected so have savings available.

If you don't have a digital / .pdf copy of your OPF, make one now. Consider keeping scans of that (along with scans of other important documents... birth, marriage, education, passports, etc) on a durable USB drive for safe storage. If there's an issue down the line with your annuity, you'll be in a better position to produce evidence to clear it up immediately rather than waiting for OPM to find it. And, if you currently hold a clearance, this will include the Notices of Completed Investigation that will be helpful if you ever decide you want to return to work for a contractor in some capacity (recent clearances have BIG value in the contractor world.)

I assume you're retiring from DoD? At one time, they issued "courtesy" ID cards to retirees. If they still do, get one. Locally, I know they were generally good for installation access, MWR stuff, etc. Occasionally you'll run across deals/discounts that are extended to retirees in addition to current USG civilians, and you'll need something to prove status.

Mr. Kablammo is correct. Have a plan for how you're going to cover bills while you're still in "interim pay" status (read: reduced annuity until OPM fully adjudicates/calculates your actual annuity.) I'm a FERS Special retiree, retired in October, and don't expect to actually see my full annuity for at least 3-4 more months. I'm getting around 85% of the monthly FERS portion that we anticipate, but NONE of the FERS SRS. All told, this means I'm receiving around $2K/mo less than I will once OPM finally does their thing. If you can free up credit or establish a HELOC just in case, it'll take a load off your mind. You'll eventually get your back retirement pay, but it may take a while.

If you're eligible for any of the "groups" on ExpertVoice.com or similar sites, sign up now while you still have an official e-mail address. You can change it to a personal email as soon as you're approved.

Absolutely, positively, if you're dragging around effects from any work-related injuries or illnesses-- however long ago-- make sure you get & keep copies of the OWCP documentation while you still have easy access to them.

Have a plan. Any plan will do, just so you don't wake up on the first Monday after your ERD and don't feel completely rudderless.

Welcome to the First of The Month society. You'll wonder why you didn't join earlier.

+1 on having some savings available. OPM can fuck things up spectacularly. I retired 12/31/21. I didn’t see a dime for 4 solid months. No reduced annuity, no nothing. They caught up and paid me a lump sum.

Maybe you oughta get a t-shirt

I retired under CSRS in 2005.
Like above never cancel your FEHB.
Make sure the correct life insurance are the ones you need.
I'm down to only one.
Best of Luck.

I must underline keeping your health insurance. It covers what Medicare doesn't, in case you're near that age. Also, you can avoid the extra payment of Medicare Part D with your prescription coverage.

quote:

Don't give up your FEHB.

You can still access military bases w/proper ID.

Be sure to download and save your eOPF file before you lose computer access.

If your eOPF is like mine, it is password protected. Unless you have something extremely sensitive on it (I do not), I made the file name my password - you will not forget it.

quote:

Roll your TSP over into a managed IRA.

THIS^^^^!!!! You have better options and flexibility with an IRA.