Skip to content
Serving Those Who Serve
  • About STWS
    Our Team Our Credentials Fed-Focused Financial Planning Fiduciary Investment Management
  • Blogs & Podcasts
    Featured Authors Benefits Ben Jennifer Meyer Katelyn Murray Dan Sipe Podcasts FedLife The Fed15
  • Ed Zurndorfer
  • Learn
    CSRS FEGLI & Life Insurance FEHB/Medicare FERS Social Security Taxes TSP FLTCIP/Long-term Care
  • Contact STWS
    Schedule Consultation Financial Advice Refer a Friend & Get Rewarded Build Your Career with Us: Explore Opportunities at Serving Those Who Serve
  • FERS Calculator
  • Webinars & Seminars

Month: January 2025

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Can Federal Employees Be Successful Expats? Plus, TSP Contribution Pitfalls

Jan 14, 2025 STWS

Dan and Katelyn explore the possibilities and key considerations for federal employees interested in working remotely from overseas. They cover benefits, healthcare, and taxes. Additionally, they discuss the common pitfall…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Preparing for FERS Retirement: Making Deposits and Redeposits – Part I (Deposits for “Non-Deduction” Service)

Jan 13, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

With a new Presidential administration and a new Congress taking office in January 2025, there has been much discussion in Washington on reducing the size of the federal workforce.

Federal Agency News Federal Employee Benefits

The Best Dates for Feds to Retire in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030

Jan 11, 2025 Katelyn Murray

When planning for retirement, timing is everything—especially for Feds looking to maximize their benefits. One of the key factors in ensuring a smooth transition to retirement is choosing the right…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Retirement Planning for Mixed Households & 2026 COLA Predictions

Jan 9, 2025 STWS

Dan and Chelsea discuss retirement planning for mixed households, with one spouse in the federal sector and the other in private, offering helpful tips and insights. They also cover 2026…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Millennial Federal Retirement Strategies & the Possible Return of Schedule F

Jan 9, 2025 STWS

Dan and Katelyn share essential retirement planning tips for millennials, emphasizing the importance of starting early. They also tackle the potential return of Schedule F, addressing the anxiety it may…

Federal Agency News FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Why OPM is Encouraging Medicare Part D Adoption in FEHB Health Plans

Jan 9, 2025 STWS

Join Ed and Dan as they discuss OPM's push for FEHB health plans to adopt Medicare Part D for federal retirees. They cover key changes from the Inflation Reduction Act,…

Federal Agency News FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: 2024 TSP & IRA Planning – Key Deadlines and Strategies

Jan 9, 2025 STWS

Ed and Dan cover important retirement deadlines for 2024, including RMDs for TSP and IRA owners, and the benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). They also discuss Roth IRA conversions…

Federal Agency News FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Navigating Medicare Choices for Federal Annuitants – Understanding Your Options

Jan 9, 2025 STWS

Ed and Dan take a comprehensive deep dive into the complexities of Medicare, breaking down its four key components: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. They also…

Federal Agency News

What You Need to Know About Federal Employee Side Gigs

Jan 8, 2025 Benefits Ben

As a federal employee, you may already earn a great income; however, you might want to increase your earnings. Perhaps you're planning for a special event, considering a dream vacation,…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

What Happens When Employees Make Excess Contributions to the TSP 

Jan 6, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

Each year, IRS rules limit the amount that employees can contribute via payroll deduction to their qualified retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plans. Federal employees are…

Posts pagination

1 2 3
Fedlife Podcast
Video Player
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
00:00
00:00
31:33
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
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.

PROMO CODE:
stwserve
Client Portal Login

© 2025. All Rights Reserved.

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.

Raymond James Legal Disclosures including Form CRS

Raymond James Privacy Policy

Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck

Finra
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”).