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Month: January 2021

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FEDLIFE PODCAST 42: Maximize Social Security

Jan 29, 2021 STWS

In this episode, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer are back with multiple strategies to help feds optimize their tax situation, and achieve the maximum benefits on their Social Security.

The FEDZONE

Required Minimum Distributions Have Returned for 2021

Jan 28, 2021 Ed Zurndorfer

This column explains how RMDs will be calculated during 2021 for those individuals who are required to take them. Before presenting the general RMD calculation procedure, it is useful to…

Federal Agency News

Biden Throws Out Executive Orders from Previous Administration

Jan 27, 2021 Benefits Ben

Applauded by Union leaders, Biden canceled five executive orders from Trump presidency- 1 involving “Schedule F,” 3 regarding collective bargaining rights, and another that halted diversity training in agencies.

Federal Agency News

More Fishy Technology Developed at Department of Energy’s WPTO

Jan 22, 2021 Benefits Ben

The smallest ever tracking device for fish, as well as new protections in hydroelectric dams, are two innovations featured in the DOE WPTO’s 2020 Accomplishments Report

The FEDZONE

Do You Need to Beware of the Social Security “Earnings Test”?

Jan 21, 2021 Ed Zurndorfer

For Employees Born Between 1955 and 1959 and Receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits During 2021, Beware of the “Earnings Test”

Federal Agency News

USDA Releases Summary of Agricultural Innovation Agenda

Jan 20, 2021 Benefits Ben

Roadmap for future agricultural research decisions, up to 2050, laid out by USDA

The FEDZONE

Recently Passed Legislation Results in Tax Changes for 2020 and 2021

Jan 19, 2021 Ed Zurndorfer

Ed Zurndorfer discusses these changes, as well as presenting automatic inflation adjustments to individual income tax brackets and other employee benefits thresholds and limits taking effect in 2021.

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FEDLIFE Podcast: Ep. 41: Optimizing Your Financial Situation

Jan 15, 2021 STWS

In this episode, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer have come up with a list of ten essential year-end planning tips. They improvise on some of the strategies from last year…

Federal Agency News

FDA Issues Statement on COVID-19 Variant that Emerged in the UK.

Jan 13, 2021 Benefits Ben

B117 Variant of COVID-19 is not being detected by all tests, FDA reports, but the impact is “not significant.”

Federal Employee Benefits

2021 Federal Pay Raise Finalized by Executive Order

Jan 12, 2021 Benefits Ben

Last minute executive order finalized the 2021 Federal Pay Raise at 1% for civilians and 3% for military

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
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Early Retirement Planning (RIFs, VERA, VSIP, Discontinued Service Retirement, and more) for FERS Employees
Early Retirement Planning (RIFs, VERA, VSIP, Discontinued Service Retirement, and more) for FERS Employees
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Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
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Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
5 Jun 25
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Estate Planning for Federal Employees
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2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams

Best-In-StateWealth Management Teamsis based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2023 to 6/30/2024 and was released on 4/8/2025. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 48,944 nominations, roughly 9,722 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

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Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, marketed as Serving Those Who Serve (STWS). Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Serving Those Who Serve (STWS) is separately owned and operated and not independently registered as a broker-dealer or investment adviser. Raymond James financial advisors may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions for which they are properly registered. Therefore, response to a request for information may be delayed. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state. Investors outside of the United States are subject to securities and tax regulations within their applicable jurisdictions that are not addressed on this site. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members. Contact our office for information and availability.

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STWS is owned and operated by Daniel Sipe and Tom Lee (the “Financial Advisors”). The Financial Advisors are registered financial professionals of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (“RJFS”), a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. (“RJFSA”), an investment adviser registered with the SEC, (collectively, with their affiliates, “Raymond James”).

Mr. Zurndorfer does not pay compensation to or receive compensation from STWS in connection with Presentations hosted by Mr. Zurndorfer. However, Mr. Zurndorfer does provide similar educational presentations at certain Federal Retirement Benefits Seminars (“Seminars”) hosted by STWS, for which Mr. Zurndorfer receives compensation from STWS. All presentations, seminars, articles and videos are informational in nature and are not geared toward the circumstances or goals of any particular attendee; they are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, investment advice to anyone or a solicitation of Raymond James' services.

Mr. Zurndorfer is not affiliated with Raymond James, and is not authorized to provide investment advice on behalf of Raymond James, to solicit or refer investors to Raymond James, or to act for or bind Raymond James. The presentations, seminars, articles, videos, Mr. Zurndorfer, and the educational information provided therein are not sponsored or endorsed by Raymond James, and should in no way be considered an endorsement of, referral to, recommendation for, or offer to purchase any product or service from Raymond James or the Financial Advisors.

Federal government agencies, including the SEC, do not endorse or sponsor particular securities, issuers, products, services, professional credentials, firms, or individuals. Neither Raymond James, the Financial Advisors, STWS, nor Mr. Zurndorfer are affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized to speak on behalf of the U.S. Government, the Federal Employee Retirement System, or any other Federal Government-sponsored benefits programs or retirement plans, including the Thrift Savings Plan (collectively, “Federal Benefits Plans”).