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: May 2025

Federal Agency News

The Future of Federal Employee Unions: Are Your Collective Bargaining Rights at Risk?

May 26, 2025 Benefits Ben

In recent months, there’s been a renewed focus on the role and reach of federal employee unions. With political shifts and budget debates underway, some Feds are rightfully concerned about…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

With the Challenges and Problems Facing the LTC Insurance Industry, Is “Self-Insuring” a Better Option?

May 23, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

Long-term care (LTC) insurance started in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in response to the growing recognition of the need for financial protection against the prohibitive costs of LTC…

Federal Agency News

How to Challenge an Unjust Security Clearance Revocation: A Step-by-Step Guide

May 21, 2025 Benefits Ben

Recent executive orders have once again brought security clearance policy into the spotlight. From expedited interim clearances for political appointees to mass revocations targeting former intelligence officials, one thing is…

Federal Agency News FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Are You Vested? What Federal Employees Need to Know About FERS & TSP

May 20, 2025 STWS

In this episode, Dan and Ed break down what it means to be vested in your FERS retirement and TSP. They explain when employees become eligible for deferred retirement, what…

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Social Security Updates & Shutdown Survival Strategies for Feds

May 20, 2025 STWS

In this episode, Dan and Katelyn discuss key financial topics affecting federal employees, including the repeal of the WEP and GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act and practical strategies…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Understanding the Need for Long Term Care Insurance

May 19, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

Many individuals do not understand long-term care (LTC). LTC includes a range of services for individuals who have functional limitations or chronic health conditions. These limitations may be the result…

Federal Agency News

What Happens If Your Agency Gets Defunded? Understanding Your Options

May 19, 2025 Benefits Ben

When news about possible agency defunding starts making the rounds, it’s natural to have questions about your job and your plans for the future. We talk with Feds every day…

Federal Agency News The FEDZONE

Understanding How Prescription Drug Discount Programs Work

May 14, 2025 Ed Zurndorfer

There is no doubt prescription drug costs are increasing and remain a financial challenge for many Americans, including federal employees and retirees. To help make prescription drug costs more affordable,…

Federal Agency News

Digging Beneath the Headlines: The Truth About Social Security and Federal Pensions

May 14, 2025 Benefits Ben

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump's Executive Order implemented the Department of Government Efficiency to support “cost-efficiency initiatives” across multiple government agencies.

Federal Agency News Podcast The Fed15 Podcast

The Fed15 Podcast: Stay or Leave? Evaluating Your Federal Career and Navigating RIF

May 13, 2025 STWS

Dan and Katelyn discuss the return-to-work mandate, focusing on key considerations for deciding whether to stay in or leave federal employment. They then transition into a Q&A-style discussion on RIF…

Posts pagination

1 2
Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • The Future of Federal Employee Unions: Are Your Collective Bargaining Rights at Risk?
  • With the Challenges and Problems Facing the LTC Insurance Industry, Is “Self-Insuring” a Better Option?
  • How to Challenge an Unjust Security Clearance Revocation: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • FedLife Podcast: Are You Vested? What Federal Employees Need to Know About FERS & TSP
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Social Security Updates & Shutdown Survival Strategies for Feds
Upcoming Webinars
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
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
5 Jun 25
Estate Planning for Federal Employees
Estate Planning for Federal Employees
10 Jun 25
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
11 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”).