The calendar says it is the middle of October. The Medicare annual enrollment period (AEP) has started, and the annual federal benefits “open season” is less than one month away. During the annual benefits open season (this year to be ... Read More

It is the beginning of October and the year 2024 will end in less than three months. December 31,2024 is an important deadline for retired Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants and traditional IRA owners who have reached their required beginning ... Read More

Federal annuitants over age 65 have choices with regard to Medicare. There are four parts to Medicare. They are: (1) Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance; (2) Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance; (3) Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage; ... Read More

  Federal government employment can offer multiple benefits, including health insurance, competitive base pay, flexible leave policies, and the satisfaction and pride that comes with a lifetime of service. One fly in the ointment for Feds, however, is the possibility of ... Read More

The recent FEDZONE column entitled “Understanding Spousal IRA Beneficiary Rules” reviewed three IRS regulations concerning the naming of a surviving spouse as the beneficiary of the deceased spouse’s traditional IRA. One of the regulations discussed came out of Section 327 ... Read More

Your federal employee survivor benefits provide financial support to your loved ones after your death. These are some of the most important (and often misunderstood) assistance you receive as a federal employee.  It’s especially critical for your spouse to understand what these ... Read More

This column reviews three important required minimum distribution (RMD) rulings with regard to the naming of a surviving spouse as the beneficiary of the deceased spouse’s traditional IRA. These three rulings are:                 ... Read More

Much has been written in recent years in financial journals and media outlets about the year-of-death required minimum distribution (RMD). Nevertheless, the rules governing the year-of-death RMD continue to confuse retirement account owners and financial advisors. On July 18,2024, the ... Read More

The SECURE Act became law on January 1, 2020. One of the provisions passed as part of the SECURE Act was regulations on required minimum distributions (RMDs) for inherited IRAs and qualified retirement plans (including the Thrift Savings Plan). The ... Read More

This FEDZONE column is the third of three FEDZONE columns presenting the financial considerations of owning two residences in retirement. This column discusses financial management, considerations when choosing a financial advisor to assist with planning, and time considerations for “planning ... Read More