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Articles written by guest contributors, quizzes, and podcasts.
FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FEDLIFE Podcast: 2023 COLA for FERS, CSRS, and Social Security

Nov 28, 2022 STWS

Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer are back to educate listeners on the latest news about COLA for recipients in 2023. Ed navigates eligibility, how it’s determined, and what you can…

Newsletters and Quizzes

Weekly Quiz #33: Are You Ready for FEHB Open Season?

Nov 25, 2022 STWS

Take our weekly quiz, this one's about HSAs, FEHB, Medicare, and TSP strategy!

Newsletters and Quizzes

The Weekly Quiz for Federal Employees and Annuitants (#32)

Nov 18, 2022 STWS

Take this week's quiz on FFS FEHB plans, tax tips from Ed Zurndorfer, and USPS news!

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FEDLIFE Podcast: Reversing a Social Security Claiming Decision

Nov 14, 2022 STWS

Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer unveil the benefits and consequences of reversing a Social Security claim while explaining the role of inflation when it comes to fixed incomes.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz 31: The Thrift Savings Plan and Social Security

Nov 11, 2022 STWS

Test your knowledge with our latest quiz then share with your federal friends on facebook or twitter!

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz 30: Federal Employee and Retiree Benefits

Nov 4, 2022 STWS

This week's quiz is about FLTCIP, a possible DoD pay raise, and retirement for ATCs

FEDLIFE FEDZONE Podcast

FEDLIFE Podcast: Ins and Outs of Pension Maximization

Nov 1, 2022 STWS

Ed dives into the five questions federal employees should consider when seeking enrollment outside insurance.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Weekly Quiz 29: Federal Employee Retirement Benefits

Oct 28, 2022 STWS

This week's quiz is all about retirement, how states tax benefits, and the upcoming COLA

Newsletters and Quizzes

Quiz 28: For Federal Employees and Retirees

Oct 21, 2022 STWS

This week's quiz covers FEHB, the CFC, and Excess Contributions.

Coach's Corner

Pursuing A Job in a Different Government Agency – Ch. 5: Your Skills

Oct 18, 2022 STWS

The fifth and final piece from our Coach’s Corner about deciding to take a job at a different government agency-

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

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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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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”).