AI for Federal Employee Retirement (Self-Paced)
IDTECH8050SP

Module 1: Understanding AI and Responsible Use (~45 minutes)

• Define artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models in plain, non-technical terms.
• Distinguish between what AI can and cannot reliably do for federal retirement research.
• Identify the federal policies that govern responsible AI use, including Executive Order 14179 and OMB Memoranda M-25-21 and M-25-22.
• Explain why personally identifiable information must never be entered into public AI tools.
• Recognize AI hallucinations and apply strategies to verify outputs, including why retirement rules change over time.
• Survey the AI tools currently available to federal employees and typical agency usage rules.

Module 2: Using AI to Understand FERS and CSRS Eligibility and Annuity Computations (~60 minutes)

• Use AI to identify retirement types and eligibility under FERS and CSRS and to apply Minimum Retirement Age rules.
• Apply AI to interpret creditable service, the high-three average salary, and how the basic annuity is computed under each system.
• Explore how AI can help estimate an optimum retirement date and model the effect of different separation dates.
• Distinguish how FERS and CSRS computations, cost-of-living adjustments, and special-provision rules differ.
• Verify AI-generated estimates against OPM.gov, the OPM retirement calculators, and your own service records.

Module 3: Using AI for TSP, Survivor Benefits, Social Security, Medicare, and Taxes (~60 minutes)

• Use AI to compare TSP withdrawal options, including installments, annuity purchase, and partial and lump-sum withdrawals.
• Investigate survivor-benefit elections under FERS and CSRS and how court-ordered annuities can affect them.
• Use AI to think through Social Security claiming timing, including the repeal of WEP and GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act.
• Coordinate Medicare enrollment timing with FEHB and PSHB coverage in retirement.
• Use AI to summarize how federal annuities, TSP payments, and Social Security benefits are generally taxed.
• Verify AI outputs against tsp.gov, SSA.gov, Medicare.gov, and OPM.gov.

Module 4: Practical Application Workshop

• Apply AI tools to scenario-based retirement exercises, including near-term retirement, mid-career planning, and survivor planning.
• Practice crafting effective, PII-free prompts for retirement questions.
• Compare AI-generated outputs against official OPM, TSP, and SSA resources.
• Evaluate AI responses for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate limitations.
• Recognize when to bring in an Agency Benefits Officer, HR specialist, or licensed financial professional.
• Develop a personal action plan of AI-assisted next steps, including the retirement application process and the Online Retirement Application (ORA).

4 — Learning Objectives HTML Copy

• Explain what AI, machine learning, and large language models are in plain, non-technical terms.
• Apply federal policy and agency guidance for responsible, PII-safe AI use to everyday retirement research.
• Use AI tools to research FERS and CSRS eligibility, annuity computations, and optimum retirement dates.
• Model TSP withdrawal options and coordinate Social Security and Medicare timing with AI assistance.
• Evaluate AI-generated retirement information for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate limitations.
• Verify AI outputs against authoritative sources, including OPM.gov, tsp.gov, SSA.gov, and Medicare.gov.
• Construct effective, PII-free prompts for common retirement questions and decision scenarios.
• Recognize when AI research should be supplemented by an Agency Benefits Officer, HR specialist, or licensed professional.
• Develop a personal, AI-assisted retirement action plan.