financial planner Stephen Zelcer
guide to federal employees benefit milestones

Key Milestones in the Career of a Federal Employee [Updated]

Key Milestones in the Career of a Federal Employee – Updated I’ve seen it many times.  Federal employees who thought they would only spend a few years as a Fed and move on, only to find themselves still a Fed 20+ years down the road.  This unintentional floating along in a Federal job can be

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14 Differences between TSP vs IRA

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 Contribution Amounts (2022):  TSP allows $20,500 annual contributions while IRAs only allow $6,000.  Furthermore, TSP allows an additional ‘catch-up’ contribution of $6,500 starting the year you

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Unusual things to know about retiring December 31st 2022

Unusual things to know about retiring December 31st December 31st is always a popular retirement date, but this year, 2022, it’s especially popular – because this year December 31st is also the last day of a pay-period, and last day of the month, and the last day of the leave year – a trifecta! What’s

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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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Should you accelerate payments towards your mortgage (or any other debt)?

Should you accelerate payments towards your mortgage (or any other debt)?

Should you accelerate payments towards your mortgage (or any other debt)? I see people do this all the time, especially in the pre-retirement group. Many people are uncomfortable having any debt, including their mortgage, and they are driven to enter retirement “debt free.” To rid themselves of debt they make additional payments of principle each

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Retire early in the year, and get free money from FSA

Retire early in the year, and get free money from FSA I admit – I get a guilty feeling when I share this one. Health Care FSA has this interesting feature – it reimburses you for your medical expenses even with money that you have not yet funded into your FSA. See here: https://www.fsafeds.com/support/faq/all/1003  “If

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Q&A – Funding & Replenishing the 10-year bucket

Q&A – Funding & Replenishing the 10-year bucket Question Hi Stephen, I set up the 10-year conservative bucket, as you instructed.  It represents 10-years of investment income.  I love the idea!  I just had some questions:  When do I draw income from the conservative bucket, and do I need to replenish the conservative bucket as some point?  If yes,

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Which retirement account should I take money from?

Q&A – Which retirement account should I take money from?

Q&A – Which retirement account should I take money from? Question Dear Stephen, We have identified a house which isn’t on the market yet but will be soon.  The asking price will probably be 1.5 million and I want to put $650,000 down on it. My question is where/how do I take my money out

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