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Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

Security Clearances at Risk? How Political Turmoil Affects Your Clearance Status

Jun 4, 2025 Benefits Ben

When President Trump issued two executive orders in January 2025 addressing federal security clearances, many in the federal community took notice. The first granted interim clearances to certain Executive Office…

Federal Agency News

The Privatization Playbook: Is Federal Employment About to Be Dismantled?

Jun 2, 2025 Benefits Ben

The mass layoffs and agency restructuring announced in 2025 have many Feds asking the same question: Is my job next? For those who’ve seen this playbook before, the signs are…

Federal Agency News

Emergency Financial Planning for Feds: Preparing for the Unexpected

May 28, 2025 Benefits Ben

The recent wave of federal workforce reductions and agency overhauls has left many Feds facing uncertainty about their job security and financial future. With the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)…

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

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

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

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

A Guide to Private Sector Jobs for Federal Employees

May 7, 2025 Benefits Ben

The news has been unpleasant for Feds in recent months. Reduction in Force (RIF) plans have meant federal government employee layoffs, furloughs, and resignations. According to the New York Times,…

Federal Agency News

The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds

May 1, 2025 Benefits Ben

In 2025, lawmakers passed major changes to Social Security that are reshaping retirement for federal employees. The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) increases benefits for millions of public sector workers…

Federal Agency News

What USAID’s Shutdown Means for Federal Employees and Their Financial Futures

Apr 26, 2025 Benefits Ben

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shutdown has put federal employees in a tough spot, with furloughs and missed paychecks creating a lot of uncertainty. Beyond the immediate financial…

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Security Clearances at Risk? How Political Turmoil Affects Your Clearance Status
  • Federal Employees and Retirees May Have Forgotten About Retirement Accounts from Previous Employers
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Career Crossroads – In-Office Realities and Private Sector Moves
  • The Privatization Playbook: Is Federal Employment About to Be Dismantled?
  • FedLife Podcast: How Social Security Changes and Lump-Sum Payments Impact Your Taxes
Upcoming Webinars
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
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
12 Jun 25
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
18 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.

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”).