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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

Senators Pen Letter About Diversity in TSP’s Upcoming Mutual Fund Window

Nov 2, 2021 Benefits Ben

Letter to FRTIB addresses the inclusion of female and minority asset managers in the mutual fund window that is set to be available to TSP participants in 2022.

Federal Employee Benefits

Thrift Saving Plan Monthly Recap: October 2021

Nov 1, 2021 Jennifer Meyer

All of the funds that were negative last month have bounced back to positive growth – except for the F Fund which dropped .04%.

Federal Employee Benefits

Federal Retirement Age

Oct 19, 2021 Benefits Ben

Do you know the differences between the many types of FERS retirements? We’ll break down the requirements for immediate, reduced, early, deferred, postponed, mandatory, and disability retirements

Federal Employee Benefits

Retiring Early with a Reservist Pension

Oct 18, 2021 Benefits Ben

You may qualify for a reservist pension before age 60. Here's why it is important to make sure your healthcare coverage is affordable first.

Federal Employee Benefits

2021 FEHB Open Season: What Feds Need to Know

Oct 14, 2021 Benefits Ben

FEHB’s annual open season is almost here. Make sure you’re prepared to choose the best plan for your healthcare needs.

Federal Employee Benefits

Social Security Retirement Age

Oct 12, 2021 Benefits Ben

If you’re born before 1954 or after 1960, your Full Retirement Age is easy. What about those born in between?

Federal Employee Benefits

CSRS Retirement: What Happens at 41 Years and 11 Months of Service

Oct 7, 2021 Benefits Ben

The CSRS annuity calculation changes when an employee has accumulated 41 years and 11 months of service. Learn how to maximize your CSRS pension.

Federal Employee Benefits

Your Monthly Thrift Saving Plan Recap: September 2021

Oct 4, 2021 Jennifer Meyer

STWS Advisor Jennifer Meyer breaks down what happened to make September the year’s first month of negative return for all TSP funds but G.

Federal Employee Benefits

Backlog of Federal Retirement Claims at OPM is Highest Since 2013

Sep 27, 2021 Benefits Ben

The backlog of retirement claims sitting in OPM’s inventory is at levels not seen in over 8 years.

Federal Employee Benefits

What is FEGLI Option B? Don’t Get Stung in Retirement!

Sep 22, 2021 Benefits Ben

Option B coverage in the Federal Group Life Insurance Plan can be fully kept after retiring from government service, but it gets costly as you get older.

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Fedlife Podcast
https://youtu.be/hRk3MybMmdc
Recent Posts
  • Managing the Stress of Returning to In-Office Work: A Guide for Federal Employees
  • FedLife Podcast: Medicare Enrollment Deadlines and What Feds Need to Know
  • The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Return-to-Office Costs and CFPB Uncertainty
  • Departing Employees Need to Consider What Happens to Their HCFSAs and HSAs
  • The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds
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

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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.

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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”).