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Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

Facility in Georgia Hopes to Foster Creativity, Innovation in Cybersecurity

Oct 1, 2021 Benefits Ben

The Georgia Cyber Center, 2 Hours Outside of Atlanta, is improving the way the military designs and develops new technology.

Federal Employee Benefits

Backlog of Federal Retirement Claims at OPM is Highest Since 2013

Sep 27, 2021 Benefits Ben

The backlog of retirement claims sitting in OPM’s inventory is at levels not seen in over 8 years.

Federal Employee Benefits

What is FEGLI Option B? Don’t Get Stung in Retirement!

Sep 22, 2021 Benefits Ben

Option B coverage in the Federal Group Life Insurance Plan can be fully kept after retiring from government service, but it gets costly as you get older.

Federal Employee Benefits

Roth TSP VS Traditional TSP

Sep 20, 2021 Benefits Ben

The basics about matching, withdrawals, and taxation when it comes to the two types of accounts the Thrift Savings Plan offer

Federal Employee Benefits

2022 Federal Pay Raise Update: White House Confirms 2.7% Salary Increase

Sep 16, 2021 Benefits Ben

While the White House already recommended a 2.7% Federal Raise in its 2022 budget suggestions, the formal announcement supports the likelihood of a 2.2% across-the-board raise with a .5% locality…

Federal Agency News

US Cyber Command Moving to Joint Common Access Program

Sep 9, 2021 Benefits Ben

Cybersecurity in the Federal Government: Offensive missions will be conducted via unified platform across the US Cyber Command by 2024.

Federal Employee Benefits

Figuring Out Your High-3 Salary

Sep 8, 2021 Benefits Ben

The High-3 salary for FERS and CSRS is one of the variables used in the retirement calculation when claiming retirement benefits.

Federal Employee Benefits

The C Fund in the TSP: How It Works and What It’s Made Of

Sep 3, 2021 Benefits Ben

The C-Fund is one of three stock funds in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Read how it works to boost your retirement savings.

Federal Employee Benefits

TSP News: Lifecycle Funds, Attempts to Politicize TSP, and more

Aug 24, 2021 Benefits Ben

Biden picks 3 new members for FRTIB, Congress looks to TSP as a tool for political gain, plus L-Fund, G-Fund, and ESG news.

Federal Employee Benefits

2022 COLA Update: Highest Cost-of-Living Adjustment in over 10 Years?

Aug 23, 2021 Benefits Ben

The 2022 COLA for CSRS Annuitants and Social Security Recipients is looking to be over 5% - the largest COLA since 2009.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Mandatory Roth TSP “Catch-Up” Contributions Take Effect January 1, 2026
  • 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?
Upcoming Webinars
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
Understanding Your Survivor Benefits
Understanding Your Survivor Benefits
24 Jun 25
Financial Planning For Federal Employees
Financial Planning For Federal Employees
26 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.

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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”).