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Month: January 2025

Federal Agency News

Breaks in Service for Federal Government Employees: Key Considerations

Jan 29, 2025 Katelyn Murray

Navigating a break in service as a Fed, whether for personal or professional reasons, requires careful financial planning. When the time comes to leave government service and possibly return later,…

Federal Agency News

Understanding the Social Security Fairness Act: What Feds Need to Know

Jan 29, 2025 Sandra Presgraves

On January 5, 2025, H.R. 82, also known as the Social Security Fairness Act, previously passed in the House and Senate with bipartisan support, was signed into law by President…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Side Gigs & Strategic Retirement Dates for Federal Employees

Jan 28, 2025 STWS

Dan and Katelyn dive into the topic of federal employees taking on side gigs, discussing important considerations such as rules, regulations, compliance, taxes, deductions, and contributions. They also examine the…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Preparing for FERS Retirement: Making Deposits and Redeposits – Part III (Redeposits)

Jan 27, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

This is the third of three FEDZONE columns helping FERS employees prepare for immediate retirement from federal service. With a new Presidential administration and a new Congress taking office in…

Federal Agency News

Understanding Special Needs Trusts for Fed Families

Jan 24, 2025 Benefits Ben

Caring for a dependent with special needs comes with many challenges, and preparing for their financial future requires careful planning. Fortunately, programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid…

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

What Federal Employees Need to Know About the Latest Executive Orders

Jan 21, 2025 Katelyn Murray

As part of his first actions in office, President Trump has signed several executive orders that will have significant implications for Feds. These changes touch on areas ranging from a…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Aging in Place and Finding Fulfillment in Retirement

Jan 21, 2025 STWS

Dan and Katelyn explore the concept of aging in place, highlighting its benefits, such as staying in a familiar environment and maintaining strong connections within the community. They also discuss…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Preparing for FERS Retirement: Making Deposits and Redeposits -Part II: Deposits for Military Service

Jan 20, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

FERS retirement, military service credit, FERS deposit, federal employee retirement, military retirement pay, federal workforce reduction

Federal Agency News

Explaining TSP Loan Options: When, Why, and How to Use Them Wisely

Jan 17, 2025 Benefits Ben

As a federal employee, your retirement benefits include a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This defined contribution arrangement lets you allocate part of your income to indexed mutual funds or Roth…

Federal Agency News

Federal Benefits Every Caregiver Should Know About

Jan 15, 2025 Benefits Ben

Caregiving is a growing reality for many federal employees, particularly as America’s population ages. According to the Administration for Community Living, 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will eventually…

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Understanding How Prescription Drug Discount Programs Work
  • Digging Beneath the Headlines: The Truth About Social Security and Federal Pensions
  • 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
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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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”).