Category: Retirement

tsp report april 2025

TSP Planning Report: April 2025

Economic News We are all noticing the stock market sink.  Clearly investors are not happy where the economy is heading.  Here are the facts: This is a mix of bad and good data.  Nothing to justify the drop in the market.  So what’s going on? In my previous report, I highlighted 6 Trump policies to

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rif & your retirement benefits

RIF & your retirement benefits

RIF & your retirement benefits Yes, if there’s a RIF, you may be eligible for an immediate pension and continuation of your FEHB. As shocking as this sounds, it’s actually pretty straight forward.  With a RIF, you may be eligible for a retirement known as Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR).  DSR applies to employees who are

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VERA and Accessing your TSP before 59.5

VERA and Accessing your TSP before 59.5: The general rule for Traditional retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, TSP is that they can only be accessed at age 59.5. If you dare access them before 59.5, the IRS slaps you with a 10% early access penalty. But there are two notable exceptions to the age

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Trump severance offer,federal employee resignation,early retirement federal workers,government severance pay,FEHB retirement benefits,TSP withdrawal advice,voluntary early retirement,federal workforce reduction,RIF government employees,Stephen Zelcer financial advice

Should you take the “Deferred Resignation” Offer?

Should you take the “Deferred Resignation” Offer? I wanted to share the general guidance I’ve been giving my clients.  Although this should not be viewed as personalized advice, I hope it helps clarify the thinking that surrounds this “fork in the road” decision.   If you need my assistance, please email me. stephen@stephenzelcer.com Wishing you all the best, Stephen

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Trump severance offer,federal employee resignation,early retirement federal workers,government severance pay,FEHB retirement benefits,TSP withdrawal advice,voluntary early retirement,federal workforce reduction,RIF government employees,retirement planning federal workers

Is the “fork in the road” offer worth it?

I’m sure you got the memo. President Trump is offering something that appears to be 8 months’ severance pay. You could stop working on Feb. 6th, collect payment and full benefits until the end of September, and then end your federal employment at the end of September. Should you do this? First of all, please

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image description: calendar with retirement written in red ink

What is the best day to retire? – Live Webinar

What is the best day to retire? What time of year, month, pay-period, day should you retire in order to get the most out of your pension? I will explain how to pinpoint your retirement date, and how the exact date can save you thousands of dollars. Join me as we explore this topic in

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ira

14 Differences between TSP vs IRA – Updated for 2024

14 Differences between TSP & IRA TSP vs. IRA: Both are retirement accounts, both offer a Roth and a Traditional option, yet there are many important differences. Here are 14 differences 1. Contribution Amounts (2024):  TSP allows $23,000 annual contributions while IRAs only allow $7,000.  Furthermore, TSP allows an additional ‘catch-up’ contribution of $7,500 starting

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retirement

MRA+10 Retirement – should you postpone your FERS pension? (w/video)

MRA+10 RetirementShould you postpone your FERS pension? (w/video) Read the video transcript: FERS employees, you have the ability to retire early with something known as the MRA plus 10 retirement. Now let’s define that. MRA, Minimum Retirement Age, for most FERS Employees, is 57. So MRA, 57, plus 10, what does that mean? 67? And

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Should I take a TSP loan?

Live Webinar – Should you take a TSP Loan

Should you take a TSP Loan? Borrowing from your retirement account. Hmmm. Is that smart?This is a topic you will find mixed messages about if you search online. There’s a time when it makes sense, and times when it’s a massive mistake. Join me in my upcoming webinar “Should you take a TSP Loan?” where

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Fake Social Security

Fake Social Security (w/video)

Fake Social Security (w/Video) Read the video transcript: Welcome back to the channel. So in a previous video, we spoke about the three legged stool. Somebody who retires at minimum retirement age (MRA), which for many FERS employees is age 57. So they could get their first pension. They could get their Thrift Savings Plan,

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