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Author: Benefits Ben

Federal Agency News

Space-X to Launch Astronauts for NASA

May 29, 2020 Benefits Ben

First space launch with humans onboard in a commercially built spaceship will be NASA’s first blastoff from the US since 2011, Space-X to Launch Astronauts for NASA

Federal Agency News

Is China Using TikTok to Spy on Federal Employees?

May 28, 2020 Benefits Ben

A bill proposed in the Senate would prevent Federal Employees from downloading the TikTok app on their Government phones- Is China Using TikTok to Spy on Federal Employees?

Federal Agency News

USPS Finances: $4.5 Billion Loss, $17.8 Billion in Revenue in 2nd Quarter

May 27, 2020 Benefits Ben

USPS Finances: Doubled Q2 2019 Losses, impacted by Coronavirus- what the current state of the US Postal Service?

Federal Agency News

Federal Agencies Now Allowed to Use HackerOne for Cybersecurity

May 23, 2020 Benefits Ben

The ethical hacking company, HackerOne, has been contracted by the DoD since 2017 – it recently received authorization for use across all Federal Agencies-

Federal Agency News

Federal Biomedical Research: HHS Issues Guidance About 2016 Legislation

May 22, 2020 Benefits Ben

HHS (Health & Human Services) just issued guidance about utilizing a law from 2016 that lets the agency hire up to 2,000 scientists above the federal salary cap for Federal…

Federal Agency News

President Fires Fourth Inspector General This Year, Steve Linick

May 21, 2020 Benefits Ben

Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have criticized the latest removal of an Inspector General, Steve Linick, Trump’s fourth such firing of 2020

Federal Agency News

Positions Filled: New Postmaster General and OMB’s Deputy CIO

May 19, 2020 Benefits Ben

Louis DeJoy will take over as the new Postmaster General, Maria Roat fills Deputy CIO Position at OMB

Federal Agency News

Social Security Administration Backlog Decreases 11% Since Teleworking

May 15, 2020 Benefits Ben

Teleworking has increased productivity in some agencies- like the Social Security Administration, where 53,000 feds working from home led to an 11% decrease in their backlog

Federal Agency News

IRS Operating at Reduced Capacity Due to Coronavirus: Tax Refunds Delayed

May 7, 2020 Benefits Ben

Tax Refunds Delayed: Due to teleworking Feds and the CARES Act Stimulus Payments, the issuance of some Tax Refunds are being Heavily Delayed

Federal Agency News

Pentagon Releases UFO Footage and Confirms Their Veracity

May 6, 2020 Benefits Ben

The Pentagon declassified footage that had already been leaked to the public in 2017. The three videos are from Navy test flights and show unidentifiable flying objects.

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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”).