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Author: STWS

Articles written by guest contributors, quizzes, and podcasts.
Newsletters and Quizzes

Retirement and Benefit Quiz for Federal Workers

May 5, 2023 STWS

Serving Those Who Serve's Weekly Quiz for Feds!

Federal Employee Benefits

A Great Gameplan Does Not Need Perfect Players

May 2, 2023 STWS

We go into more detail on lessons he learned from football that are applicable to federal retirement planning.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quick Quiz Questions About the TSP

Apr 28, 2023 STWS

This week's quiz for federal employees focuses on the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Newsletters and Quizzes

Weekly Quiz for Feds: TSP, FERS, and Taxes

Apr 21, 2023 STWS

Our 53rd weekly quiz is about recent TSP performance, FERS history, and Taxes

Newsletters and Quizzes

Serving Those Who Serve’s Weekly Quiz on Federal Retirement

Apr 14, 2023 STWS

Take our latest quiz. This week we've got questions on TSP taxes, Medicare part D, and lending money to family members.

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: How the IRS Taxes FERS and CSRS Annuities

Apr 13, 2023 STWS

In this episode, Ed Zurndorfer joins Dan Sipe to explain how the IRS taxes federal government pensions for CSRS and FERS employees.

Newsletters and Quizzes

The Latest Weekly Quiz for Federal Workers

Apr 6, 2023 STWS

This week's quiz focuses on TSP Withdrawals, Social Security benefits, and the NTEU.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Our 50th Weekly Quiz for Federal Employees

Mar 31, 2023 STWS

This week's quiz focuses on USPS health benefits, a woman who stole from FEGLI, and the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse.

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Protect Your Legacy with Estate Planning

Mar 30, 2023 STWS

In this episode, Ed Zurndorfer details the critical components of estate planning while emphasizing the importance of having comprehensive estate plans.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Serving Those Who Serve’s Weekly Quiz for Federal Employees

Mar 24, 2023 STWS

This week's quiz is on the TSP, taxing Survivor benefits, and next year's pay raise for federal workers.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
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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.

Raymond James Legal Disclosures including Form CRS

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”).