Category Archives: FEDLife & The Fed15 Podcast: Federal Employee Retirement & Benefits Talks
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 137: TSP Loans Explained + Understanding the Benefits Cliff
02/10/2026
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, clarifying what they mean for federal employees, and explaining how ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 136: 2026 Rule Changes + Federal Benefits To-Do List
02/03/2026
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 Security, TSP, insurance elections, and tax considerations. Check Out Our ... Read More
FedLife Podcast | Ep. 161: Roth TSP In-Plan Conversions – What Federal Employees Need to Know
02/03/2026
In this episode, Dan and Ed explain the new Roth TSP in-plan conversion feature beginning January 28, 2026. They review how the process works, eligibility requirements, tax considerations, and important rules federal employees and retirees should understand before converting traditional ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 135: Retirement Planning Amid Uncertainty + How Much Is Enough?
01/27/2026
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 strategies to align retirement resources with long-term goals. Check Out ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 134: Smart Tax Planning in Retirement + Beating Information Bias
01/20/2026
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 withdrawals, Social Security, and part-time income. They also discuss key ... Read More
FedLife Podcast | Ep. 160: Roth IRA Conversions in 2025 – What Federal Employees Should Consider
01/20/2026
In this episode, Dan and Ed review key year-end tax planning considerations for federal employees and retirees, with a focus on Roth IRA conversions in light of recent tax law changes. They discuss potential tax implications, Medicare premium impacts, and ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 133: Retiring With Debt + Choosing the Right Retirement Date
01/13/2026
Dan and Katelyn break down how federal employees can retire with debt in a sustainable way, starting with a full debt inventory and mapping guaranteed income sources such as a FERS or CSRS annuity, Social Security (if applicable), and planned ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 132: Coordinating Sick & Annual Leave for Retirement + OPM’s Digital Retirement Overhaul
01/06/2026
Dan and Katelyn explore how sick leave and annual leave factor into federal retirement planning, including how sick leave boosts pension calculations, how unused annual leave is paid out, and strategies for coordinating both for maximum value. They also break ... Read More
FedLife Podcast | Ep. 159: FSAFEDS HCFSA – Understanding Tax-Free Health Care Dollars in 2026
01/06/2026
In this episode, Dan and Ed provide an overview of the Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSAFEDS) Health Care FSA (HCFSA) program for federal employees in 2026. They review enrollment rules, eligible expenses, and common misconceptions to help federal employees make ... Read More
The Fed15 Podcast | Ep. 131: 2026 Retirement Prep — New TSP & IRA Limits and How to Avoid Payment Delays
12/30/2025
Dan and Katelyn discuss what federal employees need to know for 2026, including new TSP and IRA contribution limits, updated catch-up rules, and Roth considerations. They also cover common retirement application mistakes that can delay first payments, share tips for ... Read More