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Category: Federal Employee Benefits

This category contains articles written about Federal Employee Retirement Benefits: FEHB, FEGLI, TSP, FLTCIP, Leave, Pay Raises, FERS/CSRS, and more-

Federal Employee Benefits

FEHB Highlights: Calculating the Daily Rate

Nov 2, 2023 Benefits Ben

We continue exploring the FEHB handbook as the upcoming open season looms.

Federal Employee Benefits

3 Recently Introduced Bills that Would Impact Federal Employees

Nov 1, 2023 Benefits Ben

Three pieces of legislation have been introduced in the House. The topics include FERS participants, on-duty beath benefits, and temporary service.

Federal Employee Benefits

Social Security for Feds: The Special Retirement Supplement

Oct 26, 2023 Benefits Ben

Understanding Social Security for Feds: learn about the Special Retirement Supplement for some feds who retire before age 62.

Federal Employee Benefits

Best Dates for Federal Employees to Retire in 2024

Oct 25, 2023 Benefits Ben

Thinking about retiring from federal service next year? Here are the dates that are optimal for federal employees in 2024.

Federal Employee Benefits

FEHB Highlights: Understanding Premiums and Premium Conversion

Oct 19, 2023 Benefits Ben

Continuing our FEHB series, looking at premiums and the effect on taxes, social security, and other benefits.

Federal Employee Benefits

2024 COLA Announced for FERS: 2.2%, 3.2% for CSRS and Social Security

Oct 17, 2023 Benefits Ben

The 3.2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will apply to CSRS and Social Security. FERS annuitants will see a 2.2% adjustment.

Federal Employee Benefits

TSP Board Looking to Bolster Annuity Options

Oct 16, 2023 Benefits Ben

Recent board meeting indicates possible changes on the horizon for the Thrift Savings Plan’s (TSP) least popular withdrawal option.

Federal Employee Benefits

2024 Federal Pay Raise Update: Still Looking Like 5.2%? + Locality Changes

Oct 12, 2023 Benefits Ben

Will the shutdown showdown have any impact on next year’s pay raise? Also, OPM recent announcement about locality adjustments.

Federal Employee Benefits

How can I Better Prepare for Retirement? – Health Savings Accounts 101

Oct 11, 2023 Jennifer Meyer

STWS Advisor Jennifer Meyer explores how HSAs can help you save smarter for retirement

Federal Employee Benefits

2024 FEHB Premiums Will Increase with Rising Healthcare Costs

Oct 9, 2023 Benefits Ben

OPM announced there will be an average premium increase of 7.7% for FEHB plans next year.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Required Minimum Distributions and Federal Pensions: A Coordinated Withdrawal Strategy
  • FedLife Podcast: Navigating Early Retirement with OPM’s New VERA Authority
  • The Social Security Fairness Act: What Does it Mean to  Federal Retirees?
  • International Marriage, Working Abroad, Taxes, and Benefits: Cross-Border Considerations
  • Guide to Health Savings Accounts with High Deductible FEHB Plans
Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
Understanding Your Federal Retirement Benefits: FERS
March 4, 2025
11:00 am
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
Understanding Your FEGLI Benefits
March 6, 2025
1:00 pm
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
Tax Planning with Ed Zurndorfer
March 11, 2025
11:00 am
Early Retirement (VERA) Planning for FERS Employees
Early Retirement (VERA) Planning for FERS Employees
March 11, 2025
3:00 pm
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
Understanding Your Social Security Benefits
March 12, 2025
1:00 pm
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
Understanding Your FEHB & Medicare Benefits
March 19, 2025
10:30 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.

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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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.

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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”).