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Month: November 2023

Federal Agency News

TSP Contributions, COLA Update, and Shutdown News

Nov 7, 2023 Benefits Ben

The roundup of news for federal workers. Learn about the SECURE Act 2.0, proposed legislation to equalize cost-of-living adjustments for FERS retirees, and what’s up with the potential shutdown?

The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: 2024 COLA and Best Dates to Retire

Nov 7, 2023 STWS

Inflation cooling off? Katelyn takes a look at next year’s COLA for FERS, CSRS, and Social Security. Also – the best dates in 2024 to retire from federal service.

Federal Employee Benefits

TSP Max Contribution

Nov 6, 2023 Benefits Ben

New TSP contribution limits for 2024, over $2 Billion moved to G in October, plus a new loan tracking tool

FEDZONE

Some Year-End Tax Moves to Lower 2023 Taxes

Nov 3, 2023 Ed Zurndorfer

Ed shares some valuable tax tips for federal employees to review before the year ends.

Federal Employee Benefits

FEHB Highlights: Calculating the Daily Rate

Nov 2, 2023 Benefits Ben

We continue exploring the FEHB handbook as the upcoming open season looms.

Federal Employee Benefits

3 Recently Introduced Bills that Would Impact Federal Employees

Nov 1, 2023 Benefits Ben

Three pieces of legislation have been introduced in the House. The topics include FERS participants, on-duty beath benefits, and temporary service.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • The Fed15 Podcast: 2025 IRMAA Brackets & TSP Contribution Limits Explained.
  • Understanding the Problematic Consequences of Roth IRA Conversions 
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Maximizing Military Service Buyback & Harnessing the Power of HSAs
  • Summary of Medicare Enrollment Options for Federal Retirees
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples and the Social Security Fairness Act
Upcoming Webinars
Financial Planning For Federal Employees
Financial Planning For Federal Employees
December 18, 2024
1:00 pm
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
January 7, 2025
11:00 am
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
January 8, 2025
1:00 pm
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
January 9, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
January 15, 2025
11:00 am
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
January 16, 2025
1:00 pm

Checkbook’s FEHB comparison tool lets you easily compare 158 FEHB plans and helps instruct how Medicare Part B will integrate with your FEHB plan.

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Lee Sipe and Associates DBA Serving Those Who Serve.

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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 upon the period from 3/31/2022 to 3/31/2023 and was released on 01/09/2024. Advisor teams that are considered must have one advisor with a minimum of seven years of experience, have been in existence as a team for at least one year, have at least 5 team members, and have been nominated by their firm. The algorithm weights 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 10,100 team nominations, 4,100 advisor teams received the award based on thresholds. 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”).