Apr 15, 2026
Can contributing to a 401(k) help protect your FERS Special
Retirement Supplement? Many people assume this, but the rules don’t
always work the way federal employees expect. In this FERS Federal
Fact Check, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor,
answers a listener's question and walks you through how the
earnings test applies to your supplement and why certain
strategies, like increasing 401(k) contributions, may not reduce
the impact. Working after retirement may reduce your supplement
depending on your earnings. Understanding how income is measured
can help you avoid unexpected changes to your retirement income.
Tune in and find out:
- How the FERS Special Retirement Supplement works
- What the earnings test is and how it applies
- Why 401(k) contributions don’t reduce counted income
- What types of income are included (and excluded)
- Planning considerations if you expect to work in retirement
👉 Learn more and read the full breakdown here: Have a retirement
question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us
your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your
goals! ➡️We have had hundreds of federal employees ask us to
discuss the TSP more in-depth so that they can stop “emotionally
trading” their accounts. Get our FREE guide and find out the
details about your TSP AFTER retirement - https://zurl.co/R3RYd
Happy Planning!