When should you take Social Security? A fantastic webinar with Stephen Zelcer, fiduciary advisor to federal employees.
I know it sounds like a smart move – by delaying your Social Security benefits you’ll have more “headroom” to do larger Roth Conversions. Don’t do it. As mentioned in my earlier article, when you delay Social Security, you’re forced to draw from your own savings to cover living expenses instead. That means that money
Is it worth it to delay Social Security to provide a larger survivor benefit for your spouse? No. I know it sounds smart to leave your spouse a higher benefit than they would receive on their own, but it’s not worth it. Here’s why. As previously noted, delaying Social Security carries a break-even period of
How hard can it be to figure out your retirement income? Just add your FERS + Social Security + whatever income you take from your investments, right? Not exactly. Some income has start and stop dates, and you still have plenty of deductions, and not all of your income is taxed the same. In this
TSP Report March 2026 Facts: The second estimate for Q4 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was released on February 20th and indicated the economy grew at a 7% annualized rate during the quarter. The Federal Reserve met on March 17-18 and voted to leave interest rates unchanged. The Federal Reserve tends to make policy decisions
The new TSP Roth conversions are all the rage these days. People are excited and many think that it must be the right thing to do. But is it? The answer is “it depends!” Join me as we explore what conditions make a TSP Roth Conversion, or any Roth Conversion, right for you. In this
https://youtu.be/B5YdfFB_lgY Financial Questions & Answers Part 3 – The Insurances FEHB Coverage After Retirement and Qualifying Events Let us move on to the next series of questions, which focus on insurance. Jill asks: My husband and I are both federal employees, both over 50, each with at least 20 years of service. My husband has
What happens to your TSP when you Die? What happens to your TSP when you die? Of course, the money needs to go somewhere, to someone, but are there any best practices? Join me in my upcoming webinar and we’ll explore the following: various TSP beneficiaries – spouse vs non-spouse tax ramifications putting the TSP into
2025 marked the third consecutive year of double-digit returns for the S&P 500 Index. Domestic stocks were exceptionally volatile and kicked off the year with a 19.2% drop through April before rebounding by 37.4% through December (for a net annual gain of 16.4%). Sector-wise, technology reigned supreme, with the S&P 500 Technology and Communication Services
TSP Report December 2025 Facts: The government shutdown ended on November 12th and previously delayed economic and labor market data has trickled in since. The unemployment rate in September ticked up by 0.1% to 4.4%. The G Fund interest rate fell from 4.25% to 4.125% in November. The US Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) increased to
Do you need an Annuity?Will you outlive your retirement income and run out of money? Not if you have an annuity! However, not all annuities are created equal, and not everyone needs an annuity. Annuities are insurance products that cost money. And some annuities are irrevocable. But the financial advisors (and the TSP) aggressively peddle these
https://youtu.be/E6YyQLU5elo Declining a Relocation Offer and RIF Eligibility Okay. Let’s move on to the second grouping of questions, which have to do with rifs, the reduction in force. So let’s start with Stefan’s question first. Question over here. I’m probably being removed from federal service this month for declining to relocate. I’m also eligible for
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