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Month: February 2024

Federal Employee Benefits

Inside the TSP: The Sort-of Small Cap & Incomplete International Funds

Feb 29, 2024 Jennifer Meyer

The ‘Sort of Small’ Cap and Incomplete International, going inside TSPs most misunderstood funds.

FEDZONE

There is Still Time for Employees to Make 2023 IRA Contributions

Feb 28, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

Learn the advantages of making 2023 IRA contributions before the April deadline.

Federal Employee Benefits

Funding FERS: How Much Agencies and Employees Contribute

Feb 28, 2024 Benefits Ben

In October of last year, there were slight changes to the amount agencies contribute to the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Employees and the US government fund the rest.

The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Expense Ratios for TSP Funds and Gerry Connolly

Feb 27, 2024 STWS

Expense ratios for the TSP funds recently went down – will this trend continue? Also – Dan raves about Gerry Connolly – a champion for feds in Congress. …And another…

Coach's Corner

What is an Executive Coach?

Feb 26, 2024 STWS

Bob Oberlietner, Executive Coach for Federal Employees, Writes About What Exactly an Executive Coach is

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FedLife Podcast: Making Contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan in 2024

Feb 23, 2024 STWS

• Do you need to make a formal election to change contribution amounts for your TSP account? • Why is 2024 different than other years for federal employees? • Some…

Federal Employee Benefits

Life Insurance for Federal Workers: Eligibility for FEGLI

Feb 21, 2024 Benefits Ben

• Which federal employees are eligible for the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program? • What to know about dropping and adding FEGLI coverage. • When should feds look…

FEDZONE

Customer Service Nightmare Looming Over the SSA

Feb 21, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

The Social Security Administration Faces a Customer Service Crisis as Record Number of Americans Reach Age 65 During 2024

The Fed15 Podcast

Estimating the 2025 Federal Pay Raise

Feb 20, 2024 STWS

• This week’s episode covers the TSP’s lackluster performance in the first month of 2024. • Also – how the FAIR Act is an early indicator of the following year’s…

Newsletters and Quizzes

Monthly Quiz for Federal Employees: February 2024

Feb 16, 2024 STWS

This month's quiz for federal employees and retirees:

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • 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
  • The Fed15: Navigating PSHB & Retirement—Insights for Postal Employees and Women Nearing Retirement
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Survivor Benefits
Understanding Your Survivor Benefits
December 17, 2024
11:00 am
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
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
January 9, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
January 10, 2025
9:00 am
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
January 15, 2025
11:00 am

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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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”).