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Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

A Fed’s Guide to Planning Ahead for Aging in Place

Jan 4, 2025 Benefits Ben

As retirement nears, many of our Feds start thinking about what it will take to stay safely in their homes for the long term.

Federal Agency News

Planning for Life After Retirement: Transitioning from a Federal Career to Private or Volunteer Work

Jan 2, 2025 Benefits Ben

Retiring from federal service is a significant milestone. For many, it's an exciting time to embark on new adventures, while others may find themselves uncertain about their next steps.

Federal Agency News

Don’t Miss Out on Your TSP Match: The Pitfalls of Contributing Too Quickly

Dec 28, 2024 Benefits Ben

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) offers Feds a unique opportunity to grow retirement savings with a government match of up to 5% of your salary. But did you know that…

Federal Agency News

Digital Nomad Dreams: Can Federal Retirees Work Remotely From Abroad While Keeping Their Benefits?

Dec 26, 2024 Benefits Ben

As a federal retiree, you’ve earned the freedom to roam. And why not? You’ve worked hard for your retirement, and living overseas can be a great way to stretch your…

Federal Agency News

Sharing the Season: Holiday Traditions from the STWS Team

Dec 24, 2024 Benefits Ben

The holiday season is a time for reflection, celebration, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. Here at Serving Those Who Serve, we understand the importance of community and connection,…

Federal Agency News

Give YOURSELF a Gift this Year: Check Out Our Year-End Checklist for Feds

Dec 23, 2024 Benefits Ben

As the year comes to a close, now is the perfect time to take stock of your financial situation and set the stage for a successful year ahead.

Federal Agency News

When Your Spouse Is Private Sector: Coordinating Mixed-Retirement Household Planning

Dec 20, 2024 Benefits Ben

Retirement planning can be a puzzle – especially when one spouse is a federal employee, and the other is in the private sector.

Federal Agency News

Will WEP and GPO Be Repealed? What Federal Employees Should Know

Dec 10, 2024 Benefits Ben

For many federal employees and public servants who fall under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) have put a strain…

Federal Agency News

Millennial Federal Employees: Your Essential Guide to Retirement

Dec 5, 2024 Benefits Ben

Each generation faces its own challenges when preparing for retirement, and for millennials, it’s the high levels of student loan debt, lower access to affordable housing, and, as of late,…

Federal Agency News

Retiring from Federal Service? Your Guide to Navigating Health Insurance Options

Nov 29, 2024 Benefits Ben

Healthcare costs can be unpredictable and typically rise later in age, making health insurance coverage a critical part of a strong retirement plan.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • 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
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Return-to-Office Costs and CFPB Uncertainty
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.

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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 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”).