Whenever retirement in the United States is discussed in any capacity, even by non-federal employees, Social Security always comes up. Many people have arranged their retirement plans with Social Security assumed as part of it…but many times they are unaware of what Social Security will actually look like and how it works.

The Civil Service Retirement System is a defined benefit contributory pension plan. It was established August 1st, 1920, and was later replaced by FERS in 1987.

As a FERS Federal Employee you have a three component retirement system, FERS Pension, Social Security, and Thrifts Savings Plan.

We've been talking about the accumulation vehicle of your Thrift Savings Plan, which is one of the best out there. Once you retire though, we get tons of questions about what to do with your TSP because now you've moved to the de-accumulation stage of your life.