A recent FEDZONE column entitled “Understanding the New FERS Rules for Deferred Retirements” discusses the retirement benefit payable to a former FERS employee who left federal service. This retirement benefit is in the form of a deferred FERS annuity. ... Read More

In this episode, Ed and Dan discuss how disclaimers can provide flexibility in estate planning for federal employees and retirees with large traditional TSP and IRA accounts. They explain how disclaimers work, why they may help manage inherited retirement assets, ... Read More

Katelyn discusses two important planning topics that can have a lasting impact on retirement costs: understanding Medicare’s 2026 IRMAA income brackets and choosing a retirement date with tax consequences in mind. Check Out Our Next FERS Webinar for Federal Employees ... Read More

Saving for your child’s education can be challenging, but a 529 plan remains one of the most powerful tools available to families looking to prepare for future college expenses. These tax-advantaged accounts allow investments to grow tax-free, and withdrawals are ... Read More

There’s no shortage of annuity salespeople trying to convince you that a private annuity can create “guaranteed lifetime income,” but there are several reasons why private annuities may not be the best option for federal employees and retirees. But before ... Read More

Inflation and longevity are two challenges facing today’s federal retirees. In this solo episode, Katelyn explains how rising costs and longer life expectancies can impact retirement income—and what federal employees can do now to prepare. Check Out Our Next FERS ... Read More

For many federal retirees, the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) comes as an unexpected layer of healthcare costs. While Medicare is often thought of as a uniform benefit, IRMAA introduces income-based pricing that can significantly increase monthly healthcare expenses for ... Read More

What do “Macarena” by the Bayside Boys, “Killing Me Softly” by the Fugees, “Ironic” by Alanis Morisette, and 529 plans all have in common? They all came to us in 1996, of course! Congress first created 529 plans by passing ... Read More

Federal employees making retirement decisions and families looking at new savings opportunities for children will find plenty to consider in this episode. Dan and Katelyn break down two important topics that could have long-term financial implications. Check Out Our Next ... Read More

If you’re a regular reader of the STWS blog, you’ll know it’s about that time of year again… In recent years, writing about the JORC (the “joy of Roth conversions,” naturally) has become a bit of an annual tradition. It ... Read More