# Pre-Retirement Planning Course (FERS Participants Only) Canonical URL: ## Overview Obtain the information you need to make fully informed decisions about retirement. Gain valuable retirement planning information related to the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Learn how Social Security benefits are calculated, and how your health and life insurance benefits carry over into retirement. Learn about Medicare and Thrift Savings Plan withdrawal options. Receive an overview of financial and estate planning. ## What you'll learn - Determine when you are eligible to retire - Explain how refunded service, nondeduction service, and military service are credited for retirement purposes - Know how your basic annual annuity will be computed - Explain the major steps involved in the retirement application process - Identify appropriate forms and documents that are used to process your application for retirement - Identify resources to answer your benefits questions after retirement - Determine whether you can continue health benefits and life insurance benefits into retirement - Understand the Long Term Care Insurance Program - Identify what benefits will be payable to your survivors upon your death - Determine whether you will be entitled to receive Social Security benefits - Identify your options for withdrawing TSP funds - Identify tax implications for your federal retirement benefits ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to Federal Benefits - Overview some elements of planning for retirement. - Introduce the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). #### Module 2: Retirement Eligibility - Identify the types of retirement available under FERS. - Determine when you are eligible to retire. - Using the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) chart, identify your minimum retirement age under FERS. - Determine your optimum retirement date. - Explain the eligibility requirements for special provision retirements (i.e., air traffic controllers, military reserve technicians, law enforcement officers, and firefighters). #### Module 3: Annuity Computations - Define creditable service under FERS. - Define “high-three average salary.” - Explain how the basic annuity is computed. - Identify the types of adjustments that can be applied to annuities under FERS. - Define Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs), and explain how they are applied to FERS annuities. #### Module 4: Processing the Retirement Application - Identify the various retirement application forms under FERS. - Explain the steps that must be taken by the retiring employee and the agency to ensure that the application process is managed properly. - Identify sources of information available to federal employees and retirees. - Explain how to avoid common problems in the retirement application process. - Understand the new Online Retirement Application (ORA). #### Module 5: Survivor Benefits - Identify who may be eligible to receive a survivor benefit. - Explain the types of benefits payable to survivors of deceased federal employees. - Identify the types of survivor benefit elections that can be made by FERS employees at retirement. - Explain the types of benefits payable to survivors of deceased federal retirees. - Describe how court-ordered survivor annuities can affect survivor benefit elections made by retiring employees. #### Module 6: Health Benefits (FEHB), Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP), and Life Insurance (FEGLI) - Identify important features of FEHB. - Explain eligibility requirements to continue FEHB coverage into retirement. - Describe FEHB coverage options and costs for annuitants. - Explain options if not eligible to continue FEHB coverage into retirement. - Understand Premium Conversion and Flexible Spending Accounts. - Understand the basic provisions of the Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Plans. - Identify features of the Long-Term Care (FLTCIP) Insurance Program. - Explain important features of FEGLI. - Explain eligibility requirements to continue FEGLI coverage into retirement. - Explain FEGLI post-retirement coverage options and costs of premiums. - Explain methods of payment options for FEGLI benefits. #### Module 7: Thrift Savings Plan Participation and Withdrawal Options - Define TSP participation requirements. - Understand the various investment funds and tax treatment options within the TSP. - Identify the TSP withdrawal options. #### Module 8: Social Security and Medicare Benefits - Define key components and key terms in the Social Security program. - Understand Social Security eligibility requirements. - Understand how Social Security benefits are computed. - Determine coverage under the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). - Understand Medicare coverage eligibility requirements for federal retirees. #### Module 9: Income Tax Considerations - Explain how basic tax rules apply to benefits received by retired federal employees or their survivors. - Explain how TSP payments are taxed. - Describe how Social Security benefits are taxed. - Identify sources of information to assist with tax questions. ## Schedule - Jul 16, 2026 – Jul 17, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 18, 2026 – Aug 19, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 16, 2026 – Sep 17, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 20, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 10, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 10, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Judy Mintze — Instructor Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing. During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ### Victoria Cox — Instructor Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals. ### Adrianna Harden — Instructor Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization. ### Sarah Gurwitz — Instructor Sarah Gurwitz brings over 30 years of expertise in Human Resource Management, currently serving as an HR consultant for both federal and private sector organizations. She is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Administration, where she designs and teaches graduate-level courses in Human Resource Management for the MPA program. Sarah’s career includes more than two decades as the Director of Human Resource Management at a VA Medical Center in New York City, alongside 10 years as an HR Consultant to the office of the Under Secretary for the Veterans Health Administration. Her recent work spans HR training, the development and delivery of diverse Human Capital programs, HR program assessments, technical HR guidance, organizational evaluations, workforce planning, and policy development. She has collaborated with several federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice, as well as private-sector not-for-profit religious organizations. Sarah has also volunteered with the Peace Corps in South America and currently works as a tour guide specializing in New York's historic Lower East Side. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Education from SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY and a Master of Arts in Education from Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. She has taken numerous continuing education classes in Human Resource Management, computer skill development, and leadership. ### Sineta Scott Robertson — Instructor With nearly four decades of distinguished service in federal Human Resources leadership, Sineta Scott Robertson is a seasoned executive and educator recognized for her expertise in Title 5 Human Resources, workforce planning, organizational design, and employee engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing strategic human capital management across Cabinet-level agencies, serving as both a transformative leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and policymakers. Throughout her career, Sineta has held pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, and Department of Agriculture, where she guided national HR policy, labor relations, workforce innovation, and program oversight. Notable achievements include leading the Department of Transportation’s efforts to become a “Telework Ready” agency, implementing its HR Accountability and Pathways Programs, and spearheading process improvements that significantly reduced error rates and enhanced performance management scores. Beyond government service, Sineta has extended her expertise to the classroom as an Adjunct Human Resources Instructor with Graduate School USA, where she equips HR professionals, supervisors, and executives with practical and technical knowledge in federal human resources systems, policies, and practices. In 2014, she founded Perspectives for Peace, LLC, a consulting and Christian coaching practice. Through this work, she partners with organizations to strengthen HR effectiveness and provides faith-based executive and life coaching, helping leaders align purpose, performance, and peace. Her career is marked by a commitment to people—helping agencies build high-performing, motivated workforces while guiding individuals to unlock their potential and live with clarity of purpose. Sineta holds a master’s in Christian counseling from Newburgh Theological Seminary (2024) and is a Doctoral Candidate in Christian Counseling (expected 2026). She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary. A respected professional, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Sineta Scott Robertson continues to merge her passion for organizational excellence with her calling to serve others through coaching, teaching, and ministry. ### DeShanta Hinton — Instructor DeShanta N. Hinton is a Human Resources Professional who has experience serving in various capacities across the HR industry. She has a proven track record of leading Staffing, Recruitment, and Classification teams. During her 35-year tenure as a federal government employee, she has worked in 5 different agencies where she became well-versed in the following HR areas: Recruitment & Staffing, Personnel Processing, eOPF administration & maintenance, Quality Assurance, Benefits & Compensation, and Employee & Labor Relations. DeShanta is enthusiastic about writing and mentoring. In 2018, she became a published author. Collaborating with other women of influence and information, this humbling experience provided DeShanta with a therapeutic process for healing, growing, maturing, and becoming a better version of herself. Through her heart’s work, in 2016, DeShanta began partnering with a few non-profit organizations across the Washington, DC metro area to formally mentor low-income Washingtonians. Leaning into her love for learning, DeShanta furthered her education by obtaining the following degrees: an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration. Her passion for Human Resources ignited her journey to becoming an Instructor at the Graduate School, where she now facilitates Human Resources Management courses. She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, and growing plants in her spare time. ### Rhonda Coachman-Steward — Instructor Rhonda Coachman-Steward is a seasoned federal human resources leader with more than 30 years of experience in recruitment, staffing, classification, employee relations, executive resources, and HR policy development. She has held senior HR roles across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service. She is known for her strong analytical skills, strategic leadership, and deep expertise in federal HR operations and systems. At Graduate School USA, Ms. Coachman-Steward teaches a range of Federal HR training courses, drawing on her extensive experience overseeing major HR functions and advising senior executives. She is proficient in systems such as NFC, DFAS, DCPS, PeopleSoft, QuickHire, and USA Staffing, and holds a Certificate in Computer Programming from Strayer University, along with Computer Science studies at the University of Maryland. Her work has been recognized with numerous federal awards, including multiple Special Act or Service Awards, Quality Step Increases, Time Off Awards, and Inspector General commendations. ### Kristin Aurelia Kristin Aurelia is a senior human resource and business management leader with over 25 years of expertise transforming organizations through strategic HR initiatives, leadership development, policy innovation, and operational excellence, with a specialty in global workforce management across high-stakes defense and federal environments. During her distinguished career at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), she spearheaded the agency's first-ever Remote Work Program, supported by a comprehensive 275-page business case analysis and post-pandemic expansion, and led Phase I and Phase II of the Cyber Excepted Service (CES) implementation, impacting more than 5,500 positions. She also revitalized the Next Level Leaders Program and launched the Civilian Workforce Agility, Mobility, and Development (AMD) Program, which earned a Director's Coin as one of the Agency Director's Top 10 Initiatives. Kristin has advised DoD-level workgroups on civilian personnel, telework and remote work, and quality of work life, while overseeing policy creation and compliance across Title 5, Title 10, OPM, and DCPAS frameworks. Today she serves as a Curriculum Program Manager and HR and Leadership instructor at the Graduate School. An entrepreneur at heart, she is owner and senior consultant at KC Consulting Solutions, LLC, providing business and communication plan development for start-ups, personalized career consulting, and grant writing. She is also Co-Founder of SHE Wise Publications & SHE Wise Wellness, the author of eight published books in the spiritual, healing, and self-help genres, and host of the globally syndicated \*Surviving the Human Experience Podcast\* on Boston's Dreamvisions7 Radio Network. Kristin holds an MBA and an MA in Human Resource Management with an Instructional Design Certificate, as well as a BA in Psychology with an HR Certificate from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and she completed a graduate-level Leadership & Development Program at George Washington University. Her wellness credentials include NASM Certified Nutrition (CNC) and Wellness Coach (CWC), Trinity Certified Health Coach (CHC), and Biofield Tuner, and she is currently pursuing the Certified Holistic Health Practitioner Program (CHHP) at Trinity School of Natural Health, with anticipated completion in April 2026. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $899