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Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

The FEDZONE Vault: Early Retirement (VERA) Planning For FERS Employees

Mar 13, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

FERS offers early retirement options for federal employees affected by workforce reductions through VERA and VSIP. Eligible employees can retire early with benefits, including annuities and health insurance, though some…

Federal Agency News

Federal Benefits and Personal Bankruptcy: Protection and Planning

Mar 13, 2025 Benefits Ben

Bankruptcy can be a challenging but necessary step toward financial recovery. For Feds, it’s critical to understand how bankruptcy affects federal pensions and bankruptcy protections, as well as the TSP…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Working Abroad, International Marriages, and HSAs for Federal Employees

Mar 11, 2025 STWS

Katelyn and Dan explore the complexities of working abroad and international marriages, focusing on the advantages and challenges related to benefits, taxes, and estate planning. They then shift to a…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

The Current Medicare General Enrollment Period: How Does It Affect Federal Employees and Retirees?

Mar 10, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

Although the 2024 tax year concluded a little more than two months ago, there is still one tax deduction that may be available to some federal employees and retirees that…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Social Security Fairness & Understanding the Reemployment Priority List (RPL)

Mar 7, 2025 STWS

Katelyn covers the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), impacting Social Security benefits for CSRS and CSRS Offset employees. She…

Federal Agency News

Federal Benefits and Digital Assets: Estate Planning in the Cryptocurrency Era

Mar 7, 2025 Benefits Ben

New digital wealth like cryptocurrency demands fresh thinking about your estate plan. Let's walk through exactly how to protect your crypto investments and make sure your family can access everything…

Federal Agency News

Maximizing your TSP: Roth vs. Traditional Explained

Mar 5, 2025 Benefits Ben

When it’s time to retire from your federal government career, you’ll likely receive benefits through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) thanks to its Basic Benefits, Social Security, and the…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Less Than Six Weeks for Employees to Make Their 2024 Tax Deductible IRA Contribution

Mar 3, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

Although the 2024 tax year concluded a little more than two months ago, there is still one tax deduction that may be available to some federal employees and retirees that…

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds
  • What USAID’s Shutdown Means for Federal Employees and Their Financial Futures
  • The Fed15 Podcast: 2025 Return-to-Office Mandate and Understanding Federal Retirement Options
  • The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds
  • Federal Retirement in a High-Inflation Environment: Protecting Your Investments
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
2 May 25
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
5 May 25
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

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

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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 upon the period from 3/31/2022 to 3/31/2023 and was released on 01/09/2024. Advisor teams that are considered must have one advisor with a minimum of seven years of experience, have been in existence as a team for at least one year, have at least 5 team members, and have been nominated by their firm. The algorithm weights 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 10,100 team nominations, 4,100 advisor teams received the award based on thresholds. 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”).