Category: FED-15 Explained (Podcast)

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 143: HSAs for Federal Employees + What to Do If Your Retirement Check Is Delayed

March 24, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn discuss two practical issues federal employees and retirees should understand: using a Health Savings Account (HSA) as part of a retirement strategy and what to do if…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 142: Roth TSP Conversions Explained + Rethinking Your Retirement Number

March 17, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn discuss how federal employees can think more strategically about Roth TSP conversions and determining how much they actually need to retire.

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 141: Social Security Changes in 2026 + When Federal Employees Should Claim Benefits

March 10, 2026 STWS

In this episode, and Katelyn discuss upcoming Social Security updates for 2026 and how federal employees can think strategically about when to claim benefits.

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 140: IRS Form 5498 + Navigating Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care

March 3, 2026 STWS

In this episode, Dan and Katelyn delve into IRS form 5498 highlighting its purpose, when to expect it, and key considerations. They also explore how federal health plans may handle…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 139: C Fund Concentration Risk + Use-or-Lose Leave Planning

February 24, 2026 STWS

Katelyn breaks down the risks of an all–C Fund TSP strategy, explaining why valuation and diversification matter—especially near retirement. She also covers the federal “use or lose” annual leave rules,…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 138: TSP Annuities vs. Flexibility + Understanding Lifecycle Funds

February 17, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn break down how a TSP life annuity works—including payout options, permanence, and who it may fit best—while comparing guaranteed income to alternatives like monthly TSP withdrawals and…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 137: TSP Loans Explained + Understanding the Benefits Cliff

February 10, 2026 STWS

Dan and Jen break down how TSP loans work—including eligibility, loan types, benefits, hidden costs, and repayment risks—while also unpacking the latest benefits cliff projections for Social Security and Medicare,…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 136: 2026 Rule Changes + Federal Benefits To-Do List

February 3, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn break down the key rule changes converging in 2026 and the essential planning moves federal employees should be reviewing now, from SECURE Act 2.0 updates to Social…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 135: Retirement Planning Amid Uncertainty + How Much Is Enough?

January 27, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn discuss how to build a resilient retirement plan in uncertain times and how to determine how much savings is truly enough, covering income planning, spending needs, and…

FED-15 Explained (Podcast) Federal Agency News FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks

The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 134: Smart Tax Planning in Retirement + Beating Information Bias

January 20, 2026 STWS

Dan and Katelyn explore why proactive tax planning is critical in retirement, starting with understanding the full retirement income stack, including a FERS or CSRS pension, planned TSP or IRA…