About Federal Retirement Central
Plain-English retirement guidance — from someone who lived the system firsthand.
A Retired U.S. Air Force Officer
Founder & Author, Federal Retirement Central
I spent over 17 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, serving in operational and staff assignments across the continental U.S. and overseas. During that time, I became deeply invested in understanding the full scope of military compensation — not just base pay, but retirement systems, TSP, Survivor Benefit Plan, and the transition to federal civilian employment.
When I transitioned out of the Air Force, I had to navigate FERS enrollment, service buyback decisions, TSP allocation changes, and SBP elections — all while deciphering dense OPM and DoD guidance documents. I built this site so others don't have to start from zero.
Experience & Expertise
Military Retirement Systems
Personally navigated the transition from High-3 to Blended Retirement System (BRS). Extensive study of Final Pay, High-3, and BRS calculations and trade-offs.
FERS & Federal Benefits
First-hand experience with FERS enrollment as a career-changing officer. Studied FERS pension calculation, FEHB, FEGLI, and the federal benefits ecosystem.
TSP Optimization
17+ years of TSP contributions. Deep knowledge of traditional vs. Roth TSP, fund selection (G, F, C, S, I funds), lifecycle funds, and withdrawal strategies.
Service Buyback
Researched and executed a military service credit deposit (buyback) to credit active duty time toward a FERS pension — a complex process with significant long-term value.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
Navigated the SBP election decision at retirement — one of the most financially significant and least understood choices military retirees face.
GS Pay & Federal Pay Systems
Familiar with the General Schedule (GS) pay system, locality pay, special salary rates, and how federal civilian pay compares to military compensation.
Our Mission
"Federal retirement is a massive financial asset — often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars — but most service members and federal employees never fully understand what they've earned or how to optimize it."
Federal Retirement Central exists to change that. We translate OPM regulations, DoD guidance, and TSP rules into plain English, and provide free tools that let you run real numbers on your real situation. No upsells, no paywalls — just the information you need to make smart retirement decisions.
What We Cover
Editorial Standards
Every piece of content on Federal Retirement Central is:
- ✓Researched from primary sources: We cite OPM publications, TSP.gov official guidance, Title 5 U.S. Code, and DoD financial management regulations. No second-hand information without verification.
- ✓Written from personal experience: The author has personally experienced the processes described — military retirement, FERS enrollment, TSP management, and the military-to-federal transition.
- ✓Reviewed for accuracy: We regularly review and update content to reflect changes in pay tables, contribution limits, OPM rules, and TSP policies.
- ✓Free of undisclosed conflicts: Affiliate relationships and advertising arrangements are fully disclosed. They do not influence what we write or recommend.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Federal Retirement Central provides general educational information only. Nothing on this site constitutes financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Calculator results are estimates only. Actual retirement benefits are determined by OPM, your employing agency, and other government authorities.
Always verify information with official sources and consult a qualified professional before making retirement planning decisions. Full Terms of Service →