The Fed15 Podcast: Retirement Benchmarks and Private Sector Transitions

Dan opens by breaking down federal retirement benchmarks, emphasizing that they should be seen as minimum guidelines—not one-size-fits-all numbers. He walks through savings milestones at ages 35, 50, and 60, and ties them to critical planning factors like monthly and annual expenses, healthcare, lifestyle, and inflation. He also addresses strategies for catching up on savings, with a focus on FERS and TSP, before comparing “what you have” versus “what you need.”

Katelyn follows with guidance on building a private-sector-ready financial plan. She begins by examining why federal employees leave government service, pointing to both push and pull factors. She then explains what happens to federal benefits if you exit early, touches on TSP options after leaving, and dives into health insurance and survivor benefits. Finally, she outlines how to bridge into the private sector, while spotlighting key mistakes to avoid.