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      federalretirement.net

      About This
      Site.

      Federalretirement.net helps federal employees and retirees make informed decisions about their retirement and benefit options. Built on 35+ years of federal service experience by Dennis V. Damp — and helping federal employees plan their retirement since the early 1990s.

      What this site covers About Dennis Damp
      Since 1990s
      Dennis Damp has been helping federal employees plan retirement since the early 1990s
      CSRS & FERS
      Comprehensive information provided for both retirement systems throughout this site
      28 books
      Author of 28 books — career, business, and financial reference titles
      Free
      All site resources, forums, and newsletter content free to access
      Our Mission

      More answers than you got
      from the seminar.

      Most federal employees attend agency-sponsored retirement seminars before retiring — and return with more questions than answers. This site exists to answer those questions, for both CSRS and FERS employees, at every stage of the retirement process.

      Federalretirement.net will get you seriously thinking about your personal situation — not just your annuity and when you can leave, but the full picture: what your spouse will live on after you're gone, what your survivors need to do, and how to protect the assets you've spent a career building.

      Not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. This site and Bookhaven Press LLC are independent resources. For HR or personnel actions, contact your agency's personnel office. Retirees contact OPM at 1-888-767-6738. Do not send official forms or documents to us.
      • What you will have to live on in retirement
      • What your spouse will have to live on after you die
      • Benefit options — FEHB, FEGLI, Medicare, FEDVIP, FLTCIP
      • Insurance options and what carries into retirement
      • Financial considerations including estate planning
      • What survivors need to do — easy-to-follow checklists
      • What other resources are available
      Site Host & Owner

      Dennis V. Damp.

      Dennis V. Damp is the host and owner of federalretirement.net — an author, veteran, retired federal manager, retirement planning counselor, and career development specialist. He founded Bookhaven Press LLC in 1985 to publish informative career, business, and financial reference books, and has been helping federal employees plan their retirement since the early 1990s.

      Damp served on active duty with the Air Force and afterward with the Air National Guard. He worked for the federal government for over 25 years and retired as a GS-13 manager. His books and this website are based on his many years in management — during which time he was responsible for hiring, training, and career development of his staff — giving him a practical, insider perspective that distinguishes this site from purely academic retirement resources.

      He continues to help federal employees with their retirement planning through his free weekly newsletter at fedretire.net and the resources on this site.

      Books by Dennis Damp

      The Early Years: A Road Less Traveled — memoir
      The Book of U.S. Government Jobs — 11th edition (updated, free online)
      Post Office Jobs — 7th edition (updated, free online)
      Take Charge of Your Federal Career — 2nd edition (updated, free online)
      Health Care Job Explosion — 4th edition (out of print)
      Dollars & Sense: Safe Investment Strategies for Small Investors (out of print)

      Background

      • Founder, Bookhaven Press LLC (1985)
      • Retired federal manager — GS-13, 25+ years of service
      • Air Force veteran — active duty + Air National Guard
      • Author of 28 books
      • Benjamin Franklin Award — Best Career Title (Book of U.S. Government Jobs, 11th ed.)
      • CNN Your Money featured guest
      • WSJ, Washington Post, NYT, U.S. News coverage
      • Retirement planning guidance since early 1990s

      Contact & M&A

      support@federalretirement.net

      412-494-6926

      Bookhaven's Internet properties offer companies exposure to federal sector markets. M&A inquiries welcome.

      Site Network

      Bookhaven Press & affiliate sites.

      Bookhaven Press sites

      Publisher

      Bookhaven Press LLC

      bookhavenpress.com ↗
      This site

      Federal Employees Retirement Planning

      federalretirement.net ↗
      Blog

      Federal Retirement Planning Blog

      fedretire.net ↗

      Affiliate sites (Federal Media Network, LLC)

      Jobs

      Federal Jobs and Careers

      federaljobs.net ↗
      Postal

      Post Office Jobs Career Center

      postalwork.net ↗
      Career

      Federal Employee Career Development Center

      fedcareer.info ↗
      Reader Testimonials

      What readers
      say about this site.

      Featured testimonial
      I spent 3 hours on the web looking for answers to questions concerning retirement. After a Google search I found your site and within 20 minutes I had all my answers.
      — Rod H.
      5/24/2025
      Thank you, Mr. Damp. I get a lot of very useful information every time you send me something.
      12/5/2024
      You've always given us excellent advice and information. Thank you SO MUCH, without you we would be lost!
      6/18/2022
      I look forward to early Saturday mornings for your articles to arrive and when you do not do one, I miss it!
      5/17/2020
      Finding ACCURATE help was the most challenging part of retiring. I went to 2 retirement seminars that were sadly lacking.
      10/10/2019
      This site saved us when we were planning retirement and didn't know what to do about survivor benefits.
      6/11/2018
      I send this email to express my gratitude to Dennis V. Damp. You are a Godsend to federal retirees. — Patricia M Crow

      Reader feedback since 2008 — scroll to read more:

      1/11/2025Thanks once again for your expert guidance provided to the federal retiree community.
      12/16/2024Thanks for what you do for us and the information is great. I also retired from the Air Force.
      12/16/2024Thank you for all that you do for "us" retirees! Hard to believe I will be retired 25 years next year.
      12/14/2024I retired 10 yrs ago and always look forward to your weekly mailings!! Keeping us informed is important.
      12/15/2023Thank you Dennis for another year of invaluable information and insight that help us navigate retirement.
      9/20/2023Thank you so much for making the yearly leave calendars! I find it very helpful and have used it for years.
      6/4/2023Your newsletter is one of the few newsletters full of valuable information. Thank you for all you do.
      11/12/2022Thank you Dennis — Your efforts with Bookhaven are much admired and appreciated. You keep us all informed.
      8/17/2022Please allow me to once again thank you for all the amazing information and retirement guidance you provide.
      3/29/2022Sign up for this. This is common sense financial advice geared towards preparations for retirement.
      12/2/2021Good day Dennis, I wanted you to know in this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for you.
      11/14/2021Found this site by accident. So very helpful and glad I found you. — Valerie
      8/2/2020Please know that your honest, candid, and transparent newsletter is very refreshing, thank you.
      2/23/2020Thank you! Thank you for all the information, time and effort it takes to put this newsletter together.
      12/6/2019Thanks so much Dennis for taking the time to answer and all the great information and advice you provide.
      10/12/2019My husband is a federal retiree, and we have benefited immensely from your newsletter.
      10/7/2019I find your Retirement Lifestyle Newsletter to be very informative, useful, and spot-on.
      7/1/2019Thank you very much for this information! You are the first person that could give me a straight answer.
      10/29/2018This website offers great information and I wish I had discovered it earlier. Thanks for all you do!
      4/23/2018After finding and reading your blog posts, I researched and signed up for GEHA. I had a huge savings.
      10/5/2017Thanks so very much for continuing to send out your Retirement Lifestyle Newsletter. It is invaluable.
      8/30/2017I am writing to thank you for the invaluable information contained in TSP - Ways to Safeguard Your Heirs Inheritance.
      11/19/2016I am sure glad we retirees have a guy like you that is sharp enough and motivated enough to help us all.
      10/30/2015Your newsletter is so informative for all of us and I am sure, like me, we all appreciate the time you put into it.
      6/17/2013Thanks for all that you do for federal retirees. I have shared your link with many of my colleagues.
      10/1/2012Your info is always current and much appreciated. Thank you for all you do for the federal retirement community.
      2/6/2012Thank you so much for this info. You're a life saver. I don't know why this is so difficult to find out.
      9/4/2011OPM told me to call DFAS who turned me away. federalretirement.net was the answer.
      7/26/2011Last year you helped me get my Military Buy Back going and I appreciate it. The difference it made in my retirement was significant.
      11/10/2010Many thanks. A much better answer than given by our own benefit counselor! — Michael A
      3/2/2010Thanks for the info. You have given me more info I can use in two days than I had in many months of searching.
      2/4/2010This is very helpful. It's hard enough getting through to anyone at human resources for guidance.
      11/4/2009Thanks you so much for your informative response. You are the first person who could give me a straight answer.
      1/14/2008Your detailed answers really helped me and gave me confidence that I am choosing the best retirement option.

      Join thousands of federal retirees — subscribe free

      Dennis's weekly newsletter delivers retirement news, benefit updates, COLA announcements, open season alerts, and site articles. Free to subscribe, unsubscribe anytime.

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