Hi, I’m Casey Steward. That’s a pen name, and the cartoon with the glasses is the closest thing to a photo you’ll get. I’m a federal employee who got tired of hunting through PDFs, acronyms, and sales pitches to answer basic questions about my own benefits.
Why this site exists
Federal benefits are generous, but they’re complicated. Your FERS pension depends on a “high-3” average. Your TSP match depends on contributing every pay period. Your FEHB choice resets every Open Season. Most free explanations online lead to a consultation pitch. The High Three is the resource I wished I had: plain-English, sourced, and free.
What you’ll find here
- Guides to the TSP, FERS, FEHB, and related benefits, linked to the official rules.
- Free calculators that show their formulas.
- A weekly newsletter that turns one benefits topic into a clear next step.
Why a pen name?
Writing anonymously keeps the focus on the rules rather than on me, and keeps my personal and work life separate. Nothing here is written in an official capacity, uses nonpublic information, or reflects the views of any agency.
How the site is funded
It isn’t, really. There are no ads, affiliate links, sponsors, paid tiers, or advisor referrals. If that ever changes, it will be clearly disclosed first.
My standards
- Link to primary sources (opm.gov, tsp.gov, irs.gov, ecfr.gov).
- Date every figure and mark anything not yet official.
- Fix mistakes openly. Spot one? Tell me.