New to The High Three? These are the five things most worth understanding about your federal benefits, in the order I’d learn them.
1. Get your full TSP match
If you’re under FERS, your agency puts in 1% of basic pay automatically and matches up to another 4% when you contribute 5% every pay period (tsp.gov). Contributing less than 5% leaves free money on the table.
Try it: TSP growth calculator
2. Understand your High-3
Your pension is based on the highest average basic pay you earn over any three consecutive years. How the High-3 works
3. Learn the FERS pension formula
1% of your High-3 per year of service, or 1.1% if you retire at 62 or older with 20+ years. How your FERS pension is calculated
4. Choose Roth or traditional TSP on purpose
5. Review FEHB every Open Season
FEHB Open Season 2027 checklist
Stay current
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