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Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

Famous Feds: Steve Carrell

Jun 16, 2021 Benefits Ben

Actor known from the "The Office," among other shows and films, once worked as a Federal Employee

Federal Agency News

Defense Contracts for Augmented Reality, Night Vision, and Cloud Computing

Jun 10, 2021 Benefits Ben

The Pentagon recently indicated it is not abandoning the JEDI contract with Microsoft despite prolonged legal delays- plus other contracts for AR and Night Vision Goggles.

Federal Employee Benefits

2022 Federal Pay Raise Update: White House Budget Suggests 2.7% Increase

Jun 2, 2021 Benefits Ben

Significantly delayed due to the pandemic, White House’s budget is released- hints at 2.7% Federal Pay Raise for 2022

Federal Agency News

USPS’ Delivery Vehicles Are Getting A Much Needed Upgrade

May 27, 2021 Benefits Ben

A history of mail delivery vehicles, including a look at the “Next Generation Delivery Vehicle” set to debut in 2023

Federal Agency News

2020 FEVS Results Released by OPM

May 24, 2021 Benefits Ben

Job satisfaction jumped 3% from 2019 to 2020, according to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey

Federal Employee Benefits

Federal Retirement and Divorce: What You Should Know

May 19, 2021 Benefits Ben

How divorce can impact a Federal Employee’s benefits

Federal Employee Benefits

Iron Mountain: The Final Obstacle for Federal Retirement

May 10, 2021 Benefits Ben

Iron Mountain is a Limestone mine in PA now used to process retirement paperwork for Federal Employees

Federal Agency News

Public Service Recognition Week 2021 Comes to an End

May 7, 2021 Benefits Ben

Agencies, unions, & lawmakers were encouraged to celebrate the work of public servants from May 2 – 8

Federal Agency News

Inside NASA’s Astronaut Corps

May 3, 2021 Benefits Ben

An Astronaut for NASA is one of the most coveted Federal jobs- take a look inside the corps

Federal Agency News

Inside NASA’s Asteroid Hunting Project: NEOWISE

Apr 29, 2021 Benefits Ben

NASA's NEOWISE Program hunts down asteroids and has been doing so for more than a decade

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Emergency Financial Planning for Feds: Preparing for the Unexpected
  • 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
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.

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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”).