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Month: March 2024

Newsletters and Quizzes

Monthly Quiz for Federal Employees: March 2024

Mar 15, 2024 STWS

This month's quiz for federal employees and retirees:

Federal Employee Benefits

The Case for Roth Conversions through 2025

Mar 14, 2024 Katelyn Murray

The Case for Roth Conversions through 2025: Maximizing Tax Savings for Federal Government Employees and Retirees

Federal Agency News

2025 Federal Pay Raise: White House Budget Update

Mar 13, 2024 Benefits Ben

• The White House published its budget proposal this week for fiscal year 2025 and indicates a lower pay raise for federal workers than the past few years

The FEDZONE

The FEDZONE Vault: Federal Benefits Guide for New and Rehired Employees

Mar 12, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

17-page PDF from the FEDZONE Vault by Ed Zurndorfer: "Federal Benefits Guide for New and Rehired Employees"

The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: The Most Misunderstood TSP Funds

Mar 12, 2024 STWS

We’ve got Olympics talk and Katelyn discusses her local theatre scene. Then, Dan goes over the two misunderstood TSP funds, the S and I. Then, who funds your FERS retirement?

The FEDZONE

How to Report Interest Income to IRS [Form 1040]

Mar 11, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

Interest and Dividend Income Received During 2023 Must be Reported on Form 1040

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

The FedLife Podcast: What is a Non-Appropriated Fund Federal Employee?

Mar 8, 2024 STWS

What is a NAF federal employee? What is the difference from a regular federal employee? Learn about the benefits, retirement options, and more!

Federal Employee Benefits

All TSP Funds Show Growth Except F in February

Mar 7, 2024 Jennifer Meyer

Thrift Savings Plan Monthly Update for February 2024, by Jennifer Meyer, CFP®, ChFEBC℠, AIF®

Federal Employee Benefits

How Does the TSP Matching Contribution Work?

Mar 6, 2024 Benefits Ben

It’s a match – Understanding TSP Contributions and Automatic Enrollment, including a TSP matching contribution example.

The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: The Golden Goose of Federal Retirement Dates

Mar 5, 2024 STWS

This week’s episode is about mapping out your retirement from the federal government in the 2020s and understanding the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Emergency Financial Planning for Feds: Preparing for the Unexpected
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  • With the Challenges and Problems Facing the LTC Insurance Industry, Is “Self-Insuring” a Better Option?
  • How to Challenge an Unjust Security Clearance Revocation: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • FedLife Podcast: Are You Vested? What Federal Employees Need to Know About FERS & TSP
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
4 Jun 25
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
5 Jun 25
Estate Planning for Federal Employees
Estate Planning for Federal Employees
10 Jun 25
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
11 Jun 25
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
12 Jun 25
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
18 Jun 25

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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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.

Please see https://www.forbes.com/lists/wealth-management-teams-best-in-state/ for more info.

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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”).