Your Federal Benefits

Navigating your federal benefits doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re early in your career, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, understanding your benefits is the key to making confident decisions about your future.

At Defense Benefits, we break down complex federal programs into clear, actionable guidance—so you know exactly what’s available, how it works, and how to maximize every dollar you’ve earned.


Why Understanding Your Benefits Matters

Your federal benefits are more than a paycheck—they’re the foundation of your long-term security. From retirement and healthcare to life insurance and special programs, these benefits can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. But many employees miss opportunities simply because they don’t know what’s available.

When you understand your benefits, you can:

  • Plan smarter for retirement by knowing your exact Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) and pension eligibility.
  • Save money today by making informed choices about health plans, insurance, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions.
  • Protect your family with survivor benefits and life insurance coverage.
  • Get the most out of special programs like military buyback, Social Security integration, and flexible savings accounts.

What You’ll Learn Here

We’ve built tools, guides, and resources to help you understand every part of your federal benefits package.

  • Retirement Planning – FERS, CSRS, pension calculations, and early retirement options.
  • Military Buyback – How prior service can boost your civilian pension.
  • TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) – Contribution strategies, matching, and withdrawal rules.
  • FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance) – Coverage options and costs.
  • FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) – Choosing the right health plan for you and your family.
  • Long-Term Care & Other Programs – What’s available and how it fits into your plan.

Tools to Make It Easy

We don’t just explain benefits—we give you the calculators and resources to put them into practice.

  • Military Buyback Calculator – Estimate your cost and long-term gain.
  • VA Compensation Calculator – See what you may qualify for.
  • MRA Calculator – Find your exact retirement eligibility date.
  • Custom Guides & Articles – Step-by-step help written for federal employees, not lawyers.

Take Control of Your Future

Your career has earned you more than just a paycheck—it’s built you a benefits package that can secure your retirement and protect your family. Learning your benefits today is the first step toward making the most of them tomorrow.

👉 Explore our guides, try our calculators, and start planning with confidence.


Civil Service Retirement System

If you were first hired by the federal government before January 1, 1984, you might be one of the fortunate “grandfathered” employees still covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Established on August 1, 1920—long before Social Security existed—CSRS remains a defined‑benefit plan . While the majority of today’s workforce is enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System… Read more

How Much Will I Have?

For many federal employees, the question that looms large as retirement approaches is simple: “How much will I have?” Just as important is the follow‑up: “Can I have more?” Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer if you don’t have a plan. Why planning matters Federal retirement benefits are generous, but they are also complex. Under the… Read more