Resources for Federal Employees
No matter where you’re at in your federal career, explore our resources and topics exclusively for Feds so you can feel secure along all the stages of your journey.
2025 FEHB Open Season Guide
The 2025 FEHB Open Season Guide is written for active Federal employees to help you navigate the variety of coverage options available this Open Season. This year will see significant changes in Federal benefits.
Short-Term Disability Insurance Guide
Why do I need it? How does it work? Where can I get it? WAEPA’s Short-Term Disability Insurance guide answers these questions and more to help Civilian Feds.
Federal Estate Planning Guide
Explore practical information to help you navigate estate planning at large, as well as the specific ins-and-outs of your Federal benefits and the impact on your estate.
Federal Retirement Guide
WAEPA’s highly detailed Federal Retirement Guide gives you the ins-and-outs of your Federal retirement.
Federal Life Insurance: A Beginner’s Guide
Decisions about life insurance can be tough. Our guide gives you the straightforward information you need to help make the right decisions for you and your family.
Saving for Retirement Guide
This guide is designed to share several strategies and actionable steps for saving for retirement, regardless of where you might be in your saving journey.
Hybrid Work and the Hidden Impact to Your Finances Guide
This guide is designed to help current and former Civilian Federal Employees navigate their new work-life normal. With many organizations adopting a hybrid work model for employees, there are several key budget line items for employees to consider.
Pay and Leave in Weather Emergencies Guide
WAEPA’s Pay and Leave in Weather Emergencies Guide provides a summary of the benefits available to assist Federal agencies and employees coping with severe weather conditions or other emergency situations and their aftermath.
Veterans' Preference in Hiring
WAEPA’s Veterans’ Preference in Hiring Guide details many ways Veterans of the Armed Forces are given preference in appointments to Federal positions, including an overview of Congressional law and information on entitlement to benefits.
Losing a Loved One Guide
WAEPA’s Losing a Loved One Guide contains practical information to help get you through difficult days and tough decisions while supporting you and your family during this stressful time.
What Mid-Career Employees Need to Know
Date & Time Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET Presented By Join Vanessa Craddock, Federal Benefits Specialist, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc....
Preparing for Financial Emergencies
Date & Time Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET Presented By Join Kaitlin Schaeffer Yardley, Certified Financial Planner®, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning,...
Estate Planning 101: Last Will and Testament
Date & Time Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET Presented By Join Lindsey Sarowitz, Esquire, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc. (NITP), as...
Credit Reports, Credit Scores – What Does It All Mean?
Date & Time Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET Presented By Karen P. Schaeffer, CFP®, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc. (NITP). NITP...
Considering a Financial Planner?
Date & Time Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET Presented By Joe Sullender, CFP®, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc. (NITP). NITP provides...
Estate Planning for Younger Families
Date & Time Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET Presented By Lacey Yegen, Esquire, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc. (NITP). NITP provides...
Countdown to Retirement: Checklist for FERS Employees
Format & Duration On Demand | 58 minutes Presented By Ray Kirk, Ph.D., Federal Benefits Specialist, on behalf of National Institute of Transition Planning, Inc. (NITP). NITP provides high-quality benefits,...
7 Questions about Life Insurance Claims, Answered
Life insurance helps to provide peace of mind in knowing that your financial future is secure. However, the life insurance claims process may be confusing, adding further stress after a...
8 Things to Include In Your Estate Plan
Having an estate plan in place is a crucial step in safeguarding your family’s future. This helps ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are...
Maximizing Your Tax Refund: 7 Wise Ways to Allocate Extra Money
Getting a tax refund or finding yourself with extra cash can be a welcome financial boost. Rather than splurging on frivolous purchases, consider making strategic decisions to help secure your...
How to Create a Budget in 8 Steps
Having and sticking to a budget is an important component in achieving your financial goals. However, creating a budget can be daunting, especially if you’ve never done so. Follow this...
Are You on Track for Retirement?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to retirement planning, but now is a great time to check your progress and make sure you’re on the right path. Talking with a...
6 Essential Questions Answered about Federal Retirement Planning
Planning for your federal retirement is essential, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’ll encounter a range of considerations, from estimating expenses to optimizing pension options. This helpful checklist...
15 Tips on Understanding Social Security
Social Security retirement benefits can play a crucial role in your retirement planning. However, the rules and regulations surrounding these benefits can be complex and confusing. To make an informed...
9 Steps You Can Take Now to Help with Inflation
The impact of inflation is being felt in almost every aspect of everyday life. Necessities are more expensive than ever and challenging to absorb for many people’s individual and family...
5 Tips to Manage a Hybrid Work Life
A 2022 study1 found that 74% of U.S. companies are using or plan to permanently implement a hybrid work model. In fact, a hybrid work model may be a driver...
Tips for Part-Time Federal Employees & Job Sharing
The Federal Government has long recognized the value of part-time employment. In fact, legislation encouraging part-time employment for Federal employees has been in place since 1978. Part-time employees are represented...
Pay & Benefits
How Are 2025 GS Pay Scales with Locality Calculated?
The end of the calendar year means possible General Schedule (GS) Pay Scales changes for the Federal workforce. Here’s an in-depth look at the essential details to help you navigate...
November 6, 2024
4 min
Federal Civilian Life
What the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act Mean for Your Retirement
The SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act provide several benefits aimed at enhancing retirement savings and making it easier for Americans to build their retirement nest egg. Here’s a summary...
November 6, 2024
2 min
Pay & Benefits
2025 FEHB Open Season: Changes to Consider
Each year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers an annual Open Season period for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB). During this time, you may evaluate your benefits and make...
October 30, 2024
6 min
Life Insurance
How Long Will My Life Insurance Policy Support My Family?
Considering life insurance comes with many questions: Do I really need it? What type of coverage should I get? How much coverage is enough? Life insurance is meant to provide...
October 2, 2024
7 min
Wellness
3 Keys to Improving Sleep Quality
Sleep. Like breathing, it’s something we all do, and most times we don’t even have to think about it. That is until we find it elusive. Occasional restless nights are...
August 29, 2024
5 min
Wellness
3 Keys to Battling Burnout
“There’s a reason they call it work, not play.” There is truth in this often-quoted phrase. Stress is inherent in work, even if it’s a job you love. In one...
July 17, 2024
5 min
Wellness
Defining Your Work/Life Balance: 5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Finding a suitable work/life balance may be a common goal of today’s workforce but it looks different for everyone. In general, work/life balance means having time for personal priorities, including...
July 3, 2024
6 min
Disability Insurance
What Do I Need to Know About Applying for Short-Term Disability Insurance?
While things don’t always go as planned in life, you can make a plan for the unexpected. Short-term disability insurance can help provide a safety net for you and your...
June 4, 2024
4 min
Estate Planning
6 Essential Questions About Wills, Answered
While nobody wants to think about their own mortality, we all want to ensure that our loved ones are protected. Having a plan for your eventual death, specifically having an...
April 24, 2024
7 min
Disability Insurance
Disability Insurance for Young Professionals
It’s important to get coverage while you’re still young. As a young professional, you’ve worked hard by applying yourself to everything you do. You thrive by embracing the changes you...
March 27, 2024
4 min