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

Benefits Ben’s Blog: Top 5 of 2020

Jan 1, 2021 STWS

We celebrate the New Year with our Top 5 “Most-Read” Blogs by ‘Benefits Ben’ in 2020

Federal Employee Benefits

Top 5 Articles by Jennifer Meyer in 2020

Dec 31, 2020 STWS

We celebrate the end of the year with our Top 5 “Most-Read” Articles, written by STWS Advisor Jennifer Meyer, in 2020

The FEDZONE

Top 5 FEDZONE: Articles by Ed Zurndorfer

Dec 30, 2020 STWS

We celebrate the end of the year with our Top 5 “Most-Read” FEDZONE Articles in 2020

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

Top 5 FEDLIFE: Most Popular Podcasts in 2020

Dec 29, 2020 STWS

We celebrate the end of the year with our Top 5 “Most-Listened-To” Podcasts in 2020

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Best Ways to Manage Your Medical Expenses

Dec 18, 2020 STWS

In this episode, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer continue to assist feds in choosing the right healthcare plan for 2021. They decode and demystify health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement…

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

The FedLife Podcast: How to Match Healthcare Needs to the Right Plan

Dec 9, 2020 STWS

The health insurance plan that you choose needs to have a purpose. After all, insurance is just the transfer of risk. Hence, it’s important to calculate that risk based on…

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: Choosing the FEHB Plan that is Best for You and Your Family

Nov 13, 2020 STWS

In this episode, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer, discuss the six major health plans to help you make the best decision for yourself during this open season.

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FedLife Podcast: 2021 COLA, plus FEHB Open Season Information

Nov 9, 2020 STWS

In this episode, Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer discuss the effect of the 2021 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for federal employees and the upcoming federal benefits open season

FEDLIFE Podcast The FEDZONE

FEDLIFE Podcast- Ep. 35: The Different Applications of Life Insurance

Oct 13, 2020 STWS

Join this episode as Dan Sipe and Ed Zurndorfer discuss the tax treatment of term life insurance, mentioning that while it has no cash value, it has several death benefits.

Newsletters and Quizzes

Serving Those Who Serve’s Quarterly Newsletter- October 2020

Oct 2, 2020 STWS

Serving Those Who Serve's Quarterly Newsletter for Q3 2020

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
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  • Most FERS Employees Are Vested in Their FERS Retirement
  • What Happens If Federal Employees Are Fired Without Cause? Legal Protections Explained
  • Navigating Federal Retirement Options: What You Need to Know Amid Government Downsizing
Upcoming Webinars
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
TSP Planning With Ed Zurndorfer
April 22, 2025
11:00 am
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: CSRS
April 23, 2025
11:00 am
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
April 23, 2025
2:30 pm
Understanding TSP for Special Provision Employees
Understanding TSP for Special Provision Employees
April 24, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
April 29, 2025
10:30 am
Long Term Care Webinar: Understanding FLTCIP
Long Term Care Webinar: Understanding FLTCIP
May 1, 2025
11:00 am

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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Check the background of this firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck

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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”).