The Retirement Process

NARFE Federal Benefits Institute presents The Retirement Process Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET Retiring from federal service requires several key steps, primarily overseen by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). NARFE benefits specialist Tony Opat offers another in-depth overview of the process, which typically takes 3 to 5 months. OPM advises submitting your retirement application to your agency at least 60 days before your planned retirement date. During processing, most retirees receive interim payments equal to 60-80% of their full benefit. Tony will explain each stage of the process, including the following topics: Preparation timeframe (how soon should you start preparing?) Creating an actionable checklist Verify total years of service, and understand how your high-three average salary is determined Confirm life and health insurance coverage Set up direct deposit and decide how your taxes should be withheld Learn about common application mistakes Confirm that your application is complete and finalized Learn what happens at OPM after you submit your application A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Join us on July 7 for the second session of our deep dive into the federal retirement process. Learn how to maximize your benefits for a smooth transition.

Thrift Savings Plan: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

NARFE Federal Benefits Institute presents Thrift Savings Plan: Should You Stay or Should You Go? Thursday, July 16, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) has seen significant updates in recent years, enhancing flexibility and participant access. Notable changes include expanded withdrawal options, the introduction of a mutual fund window, and the option to complete in-plan Roth conversions beginning in 2026. Despite these improvements, there are still strong reasons why some participants might consider rolling over all or part of their TSP savings to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). IRAs can offer lower-cost investment options, increased flexibility in managing retirement income, and broader planning opportunities, such as Qualified Charitable Distributions and more favorable beneficiary rules. In our second TSP webinar this year, federal benefits expert Mark Keen, CFP®, will guide you through the key features, benefits, and limitations of the TSP and compare them with those available through traditional and Roth IRAs. You’ll discover which factors should influence your decision and what retirement plan will best support your financial and retirement goals. A live Q&A session will follow the presentation. Join us and Mark Keen, CFP®, on Thursday, July 16, at 2 p.m. ET to gain a deeper understanding of TSP conversions and determine if this strategy aligns with your long-term financial goals.

Grassroots Advocacy Month Preview

NARFE Federal Benefits Institute presents Grassroots Advocacy Month Preview Thursday, July 30, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET We invite you to join Nicole Blackstone, NARFE’s Grassroots and Policy Manager, as she highlights our priorities for Grassroots Advocacy Month and how we are using the recess to amplify the voice of the federal community. This presentation will cover what you can expect in this year’s Grassroots Advocacy Month, including social media posts, phone banking scripts, and action letter drafts! Learn how she explores key pieces of legislation that could affect you and your family’s lives, as well as demonstrate actions you can take in response to protect your earned benefits and defend against harmful policies! A live Q&A session will follow the presentation. Join us on Thursday, July 30, at 2 p.m. for a better understanding of NARFE’s advocacy efforts, which are core to protecting the earned pay, rights, and benefits of all federal and postal employees, retirees, and annuitant survivors.