Your Federal Life

Regular, actionable information on the management of the careers and financial lives of federal employees. Federal Drive Host Tom Temin and Workforce Reporter Drew Friedman speak with investment advisors, health plan experts and other experts on the federal workforce, their pay and their benefits.


  • When the stock market moves up and down, analysts always find one reason or another. Presidential elections, though, seem to consistently exert influence over market behavior. In other words, Kamala and Donald are affecting your…
    October 2, 2024
  • The shine has dulled for CD’s, certificates of deposit, that looked like great investment vehicles when interest rates were higher. Just rolling them over may not be such a great wealth-building strategy. We got some…
    September 18, 2024
  • It’s taken a generation, but now federal benefits have become available for first responders harmed during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The money was authorized in last year’s National Defense Authorization bill. Federal News…
    September 12, 2024
  • Our theme today is not only what you earn and save, but what you leave behind. Anyone with a career, assets and perhaps a family needs a little estate planning. It might be arcane, but…
    September 4, 2024
  • To young service members, the idea of building wealth might seem like a pipe dream. They don’t earn much and often have high borrowing and housing costs. But it’s never too early to start. For…
    August 28, 2024
  • When the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board rolled out a new system for managing the TSP back in 2022, it didn’t go well. Account holders encountered a web site that barely functioned and long wait times for help.…
    August 8, 2024
  • The end of July isn’t the end of summer. But the leaves are dryer and the cicadas louder. That means autumn, and time to think about end-of-year retirement planning. Tom Temin get some tips from…
    July 31, 2024
  • The Thrift Savings Plan’s mutual fund window remains under the microscope of the House Appropriations Committee. A policy rider in fiscal 2025 spending legislation aims to ban any TSP investments based on environmental, social or governance…
    July 17, 2024
  • A million dollars isn’t what it used to be. Nearly 24 million Americans have at least $1 million of net worth. Still, financial people often say so-called middle class people, like government employees, you need…
    June 26, 2024
  • It’s been revoked for years, but Schedule F is still on the minds of many federal employees, especially as the nation nears a presidential election with former President Trump on the ballot. The Schedule F executive order…
    June 13, 2024
  • It’s been revoked for years, but Schedule F is still on the minds of many federal employees, especially as the nation nears a presidential election with former President Trump on the ballot. The Schedule F executive order…
    May 30, 2024
  • For a certain portion of the federal retiree population, and some others from non-federal government, one of the most frustrating features of Social Security is what they don’t get. The Windfall Elimination Provision and the…
    May 16, 2024
  • The government might employ some two million people. But no two federal employees are alike. That’s why career and retirement planning can be complicated. For instance, what if you’re old enough to retire but have…
    May 8, 2024
  • Thrift Savings Plan participants than ever are contributing at least 5% of their pay to their TSP accounts. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board always encourages more contributions, for stronger retirement savings. The board also got an…
    May 8, 2024