Author: Brennan Rhule, CFP®, ChFEBC℠, AIF®

A government shutdown is a scenario that nobody wants to experience, yet it is a recurring issue in the United States’ political landscape. This article delves into the impact of a government shutdown on Federal employees and explores how to prepare for such an event. How Should Federal Employees Prepare for a Government Shutdown? Create a Budget Knowing exactly what your monthly fixed, variable, and discretionary expenses are will help reduce stress and allow you to know what areas of

Biden has announced that he plans to increase the pay raise to 5.2% for 2024. The 5.2% raise would be the highest salary increase since the 1980 pay raise of 9.1% under Carter. This figure includes an “across-the-board” percentage for all feds at 4.7% and 0.5% for locality pay. As of now, the alternative pay plan falls short of the FAIR Act, a bicameral bill that Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced in January. The FAIR

Federal Employee Pay Raise vs COLA Federal employees typically receive an annual pay raise on the first pay period in January. This is not to be confused with the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is given to retired federal employees. The COLA increases a retiree’s CSRS or FERS pension each year to keep up with a rise in inflation.  The federal employee pay raise is not a COLA. For more information on COLAs, please check out our recent