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Author: STWS

Articles written by guest contributors, quizzes, and podcasts.
Federal Agency News

Celebrating FED-uary – A Month for the Federal Workforce

Feb 13, 2023 STWS

A guide written last year about federal employees, retirement planning, and working with a financial advisor.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Weekly Quiz for Federal Employees: OPM, FEHB, and 529 Accounts

Feb 10, 2023 STWS

Quiz #43 features questions about recent news for federal employees, including OPM news regarding a cyber workforce dashboard plus oversight of FEHB participation. Also, more from the SECURE Act 2.0…

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz #42: News for US Government Employees

Feb 3, 2023 STWS

Federal Government Employees - a quiz on the news that impacted your benefits and retirement at the end of January 2023.

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FedLife Podcast: What You Need to Know About SECURE Act 2.0

Jan 31, 2023 STWS

In December 2022, Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0, which might modify retirement plans like 401(k)s, IRAs, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Newsletters and Quizzes

Weekly Quiz #41: Latest News for Federal Employees

Jan 27, 2023 STWS

Get caught up on January's news pertaining to the federal government and retirement benefits for its workforce.

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FedLife Podcast: Top Ten Financial Tips for Federal Employees

Jan 24, 2023 STWS

Get ready to hear Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer unpack ten moves federal employees and retirees need to know as they prepare and secure their finances this year.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Federal Benefits Quiz on SECURE Act 2.0, FMLA Leave, and New Localities

Jan 20, 2023 STWS

Weekly Quiz #40 covers new retirement account withdrawals, Family & Medical Leave, and the news on 2024 localities.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz 39: Retirement Accounts for Federal Employees

Jan 13, 2023 STWS

Take our latest weekly quiz - on retirement accounts for feds

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz 38: Changes to Federal Benefits for 2023

Jan 6, 2023 STWS

Make sure you're up-to-date on the 2023 Pay Raise, COLA, and TSP Contributions

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FEDLIFE Podcast: Get the Most Out of Your HSA and HCFSA

Jan 4, 2023 STWS

This week, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer talk about the value of HSAs, HCFSAs, saving on medical expenses, and some of the top myths about these accounts.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Sharing the Season: Holiday Traditions from the STWS Team
  • Give YOURSELF a Gift this Year: Check Out Our Year-End Checklist for Feds
  • Using “Tax Loss Harvesting” to Save on 2024 Taxes
  • Initial Prediction for 2026 COLA: 2.5%—What Federal Retirees Need to Know
  • When Your Spouse Is Private Sector: Coordinating Mixed-Retirement Household Planning
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
January 7, 2025
11:00 am
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
January 8, 2025
1:00 pm
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
January 9, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
January 15, 2025
1:00 pm
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
January 16, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
January 22, 2025
1:00 pm

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.

2024 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 upon the period from 3/31/2022 to 3/31/2023 and was released on 01/09/2024. Advisor teams that are considered must have one advisor with a minimum of seven years of experience, have been in existence as a team for at least one year, have at least 5 team members, and have been nominated by their firm. The algorithm weights 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 10,100 team nominations, 4,100 advisor teams received the award based on thresholds. 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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Raymond James Privacy Policy

Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck

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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”).