Erosion of federal employee pay and benefits causing retirement exodus

Title: Federal retirements spike as baby boomers retire, economy stabilizes

Article Snip: "...William R. Dougan, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, blamed what he called the "exodus" in part on "legislative attacks" by Congress that he said threaten to erode pay and benefits. Dougan, whose union represents 110,000 federal employees, said many experienced workers would rather leave now than risk reductions to a retirement package they have banked on, he said...."

Reference: baltimoresun.com

Obama and several lawmakers support making feds pay more for defined retirement benefit

Title: Will Budget Deal Target Federal Pay and Benefits?

Article Snip: "...Simpson-Bowles recommended creating a task force to look at changing the pension system for feds and eligible retired service members. One possibility the commission suggests is increasing the amount feds contribute to their pensions. It’s worth noting that Obama and several lawmakers also support making feds pay more for their defined retirement benefit...."

Reference: www.govexec.com

Don't make these Social Security retirement mistakes

Title: Four Costly Mistakes that Retirees Make about Social Security

Article Snip: "...Claiming reduced benefits early is just one of the four biggest mistakes that many retirees make regarding Social Security benefits. The others include..."

Reference: www.investmentnews.com

Listen: Do not cut Social Security or Medicare

Title: Bernie Sanders, Progressive Senators Pressure Obama Not To Cut Social Security

Article Snip: "...A group of progressive lawmakers led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday called for protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits in any deficit reduction deal. ..."

Reference: www.huffingtonpost.com

Federal Employees not represented in White House talks?

Title: White House talks don’t include federal labor leaders

Article Snip: "...No one whose prime responsibility is to look out for the federal workforce was there, even though it is only federal workers who so far have been targeted in deficit reduction. And they could be called on to sacrifice more. ..."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com

Opinion: Post drive to cut Medicare and Social Security

Title: Post in Hyper Drive on Effort to Cut Social Security and Medicare

Article Snip: "...The Washington Post is throwing all journalistic norms aside in its drive to cut Social Security and Medicare...."

Reference: www.businessinsider.com

Federal retiree TSP and pension information you should consider

Title: Federal retirees with pensions should keep some liquid assets

Article Snip: "...Your Thrift Savings Plan assets are what many call “the third leg” of retirement security: liquid financial assets that supplement your Social Security and pension income. You are entirely correct in your concern about converting your TSP assets..."

Reference: www.dallasnews.com

2013 COLA lowest since the 1970s

Title: Staying Educated on Social Security’s COLA Increase

Article Snip: "...known as COLA. This increase of 1.7 percent is the lowest increase since the 1970s, and will take effect in January of 2013..."

Reference: tellmenews.com
2013 COLA increase, 2013 Social Security COLA,