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Month: June 2024

Federal Agency News FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

 The FedLife Podcast: Understanding the Backdoor Roth IRA

Jun 28, 2024 STWS

Explore the Backdoor Roth IRA, uncovering its advantages and tax implications to maximize your retirement savings strategy.

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Guidance for Beneficiaries of Federal Annuitants – Part III

Jun 28, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

This is the third of three FEDZONE columns presenting guidance for family members of deceased annuitants

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

Investing for Feds: Key Concerns When It Comes to Structuring Your Portfolio

Jun 25, 2024 Katelyn Murray

One of the most common questions we get asked here at Serving Those Who Serve is: “Am I invested appropriately?”

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

 The Fed15 Podcast: Maximizing Wealth Transfer and Medicare Advantage

Jun 25, 2024 STWS

Dan and Katelyn discuss maximizing wealth transfer for beneficiaries and explore the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans available through FEHB.

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Guidance for Beneficiaries of Federal Annuitants – Part II

Jun 21, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

This is the second of three FEDZONE columns presenting guidance for family members of deceased annuitants and the tasks that have to be performed in order for these surviving family…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

COLAs and pay raises lower than they should be? You have a way to fight back.

Jun 19, 2024 Benefits Ben

We have some mixed news for our feds on the 2025 COLA front.

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: High Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts for Federal Employees

Jun 18, 2024 STWS

Dan introduces Kevin Moss, an expert from Consumer’s Checkbook, providing a brief overview of Consumer's Checkbook and Kevin Moss's credentials. He segues into the importance of HDHPs and HSAs. Kevin…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

Federal Employee Pay and Benefits: A Comparison to the Private Sector

Jun 17, 2024 Dan Sipe

The last 60 days have been eventful for news of federal employee pay and protections.

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Guidance for Beneficiaries of Federal Annuitants – Part I

Jun 14, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

One of the unfortunate life events that individuals experience at some point of their lives is the death of a loved one – a parent, sibling, child, or a spouse.

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

Combining QCD and Roth Conversion Strategies for Savvy Seniors

Jun 13, 2024 Katelyn Murray

Working with Feds for as long as we have here at Serving Those Who Serve, we know firsthand that as people age, making strategic decisions around finances and legacy planning…

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Managing the Stress of Returning to In-Office Work: A Guide for Federal Employees
  • FedLife Podcast: Medicare Enrollment Deadlines and What Feds Need to Know
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Return-to-Office Costs and CFPB Uncertainty
  • Departing Employees Need to Consider What Happens to Their HCFSAs and HSAs
  • The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
14 May 25
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
21 May 25
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
22 May 25
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
28 May 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
28 May 25
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
4 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.

USE CODE “stwserve” FOR A 20% DISCOUNT for the Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees

*Consumer’s Checkbook 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.

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15245 Shady Grove Rd Ste 240

Rockville MD 20850-3239

Phone 301-216-1111

Lee Sipe and Associates DBA Serving Those Who Serve.

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.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC

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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Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck

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SIPC

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”).