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Month: August 2024

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

How to Manage Your TSP During Major Life Events

Aug 17, 2024 Benefits Ben

We get a lot of questions from Feds about how to manage their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). That makes sense, as a well-funded TSP can be instrumental in ensuring financial…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

 The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Guide – First-Year Tips & Part-Time Retirement Impact 

Aug 14, 2024 STWS

Dan and Chelsea offer a survival guide for navigating your first year as a federal employee. They also explore part-time work, address common misconceptions, and explain how to calculate your…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

TSP Update for Month Ending July 2024

Aug 14, 2024 Jennifer Meyer

For the third time in 2024, all 5 of the core funds in TSP posted monthly gains in July. In addition, all five funds are positive on a year to…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Financial Considerations of Owning Two Residences in Retirement – Part I

Aug 12, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

For most federal retirees, retirement is a time of change. One of those changes is a change in residence. Some federal retirees prefer to live in one location during the…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

Preparing for Retirement: Understanding FERS With a CSRS Component

Aug 7, 2024 Benefits Ben

If you’re a federal government employee nearing your retirement transition, knowing where your post-job pension will come from is a good idea. You could be enrolled in the Federal Employees…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

 The Fed15 Podcast: Is a Late-Stage Federal Career Switch Right for You?

Aug 6, 2024 STWS

Dan and Katelyn explore the benefits of transitioning to a federal career later in life and offer job search tips. They also cover the details of annual leave for federal…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

What Changes are Coming to Social Security in 2025?

Aug 3, 2024 Benefits Ben

It’s not unusual for federal retirees to eagerly await news regarding the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). After all, this increase provides retirees with a measure of financial protection against the…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Assessing the Consequences of the SECURE Act 2.0 RMD Penalty Reductions

Aug 1, 2024 Ed Zurndorfer

The IRS penalty for missing a required minimum distribution for many years was 50 percent of the amount that should have been withdrawn from a traditional IRA or a qualified…

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • A Guide to Private Sector Jobs for Federal Employees
  • 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
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.

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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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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”).