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

Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

Standing with Federal Employees During Uncertain Times

Feb 12, 2025 Benefits Ben

Many of the recent conversations we've had sound familiar. While we don't have all the answers, we're here to guide you through these changes. Our role now is the same…

Federal Agency News

Annual Leave Strategy for Feds: How to Turn 12 Days of Leave into 27 Days Off in 2025

Feb 1, 2025 Benefits Ben

For many Feds, extended vacations might feel out of reach, but with strategic planning, they’re easier to achieve than you might think. By planning vacations around federal holidays, you can…

Federal Agency News

Understanding Special Needs Trusts for Fed Families

Jan 24, 2025 Benefits Ben

Caring for a dependent with special needs comes with many challenges, and preparing for their financial future requires careful planning. Fortunately, programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid…

Federal Agency News

Explaining TSP Loan Options: When, Why, and How to Use Them Wisely

Jan 17, 2025 Benefits Ben

As a federal employee, your retirement benefits include a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This defined contribution arrangement lets you allocate part of your income to indexed mutual funds or Roth…

Federal Agency News

Federal Benefits Every Caregiver Should Know About

Jan 15, 2025 Benefits Ben

Caregiving is a growing reality for many federal employees, particularly as America’s population ages. According to the Administration for Community Living, 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will eventually…

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

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…

Posts pagination

1 … 3 4 5 … 55
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.

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”).