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

NASA: Mars Rover Perseverance Lands on Mars, Sends Video from Red Planet

Feb 23, 2021 Benefits Ben

As three spacecrafts arrive from US, China, and the Middle East- NASA’s Rover, Perseverance, is first to land on Mars.

Federal Agency News

White House’s Cybersecurity Response to Russian Hack

Feb 22, 2021 Benefits Ben

2020 Cybersecurity breach of Federal Agencies causes Biden Administration to focus heavily on cyber-threats.

Federal Employee Benefits

The Premium Stabilization Feature of FLTCIP

Feb 19, 2021 Benefits Ben

Exploring the history and aspects of the premium stabilization feature of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

Federal Agency News

SpaceX to Launch SPHEREx Mission for NASA

Feb 11, 2021 Benefits Ben

Elon Musk’s SpaceX company was awarded the contract to launch the SPHEREx mission in June 2024

Federal Employee Benefits

Proposed Legislation: New COLA for FERS and Comprehensive Leave

Feb 4, 2021 Benefits Ben

Two proposed bills in Congress could mean good news for feds: The Equal COLA Act and the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

Federal Agency News

Famous Feds: Katherine Johnson of NASA

Feb 2, 2021 Benefits Ben

Katherine Johnson, Famous Fed, was featured in the 2016 Movie "Hidden Figures"

Federal Employee Benefits

2022 Federal Pay Raise Update: FAIR Act Proposed Again

Feb 1, 2021 Benefits Ben

3.2% Federal Pay Raise for 2022 indicated in proposed legislation.

Federal Agency News

Biden Throws Out Executive Orders from Previous Administration

Jan 27, 2021 Benefits Ben

Applauded by Union leaders, Biden canceled five executive orders from Trump presidency- 1 involving “Schedule F,” 3 regarding collective bargaining rights, and another that halted diversity training in agencies.

Federal Agency News

More Fishy Technology Developed at Department of Energy’s WPTO

Jan 22, 2021 Benefits Ben

The smallest ever tracking device for fish, as well as new protections in hydroelectric dams, are two innovations featured in the DOE WPTO’s 2020 Accomplishments Report

Federal Agency News

USDA Releases Summary of Agricultural Innovation Agenda

Jan 20, 2021 Benefits Ben

Roadmap for future agricultural research decisions, up to 2050, laid out by USDA

Posts pagination

1 … 45 46 47 … 54
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.

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”).