FERS Early Retirement
My understanding is that if I take immediate retirement at MRA before 62, then I will: 1) get the FERS Supplement to my FERS annuity; and 2) but I will not get COLAs until I turn 62. Assuming this is correct, does that mean that I would permanently loose those COLAs? For example, if I […]
Ep #17: Taxes
Tax season is upon us, and for many, it is a scary time. With so many opinions floating around, it is hard to decipher between what is fact and what is simply a misconception. So today Tammy and Micah will be discussing common mistakes made when it comes to taxes and how to avoid them […]
Military Buy Back
“I have almost 5 years of Federal Service (FERS—approximately 15 days short). I have over 7 years of honorable active duty service. I retired from the Air Force Reserves with 23 years of service and will receive a retirement in 5 years. Question: can I still buy these 7 years of active duty years towards […]
Ep #16: What’s My Pension Worth?
Does it make sense to stay a full thirty years in the federal government just to receive a better pension? Ten years (or more) before retirement, many employees begin to question whether it is worth remaining in their positions or if they should try something new. In this episode, Micah and Tammy discuss what your […]
Health Insurance Options in Retirement
“I will be 65 years old next July and plan on retiring in Dec. 2022. I am covered under my husband’s health plan and also have FEHB self only. I also have Tricare. I feel maybe it is too much. Should I suspend my FEHB and just use Kaiser and Tricare? How will it work […]
“Where does my retirement income come from?”
“I am 65, born in (November) 1955. I’ve only been a Federal Civilian Employee for 5yrs this November. I’ve also withdrawn $7,000.00 last year for emergency reasons. Now if I decide to retire this year or by the next 6 months into next year, how must and from where will my retirement income comes from? […]
Ep #15: New Year’s Habits
There is so much that we can’t control, and it’s easy to focus on those things and feel helpless to stop them. But in this episode, we’re flipping the narrative and focusing on the things we can control in our personal lives that can really make an impact on your retirement plan. Listen in to […]
Getting Nervous About TSP Losses?
“Micah, love your videos. I’m retired (58 years old) from USPS. Very aggressive in TSP. 40% C, 40% S, and 20% I- I’m down close to 30% from all time high of $675K to 500K now. I’m getting very nervous. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jerrold” Market Volatility in Your TSP When You’re Retired […]
Ep #14: With Special Guest Mary Beth Franklin
Mary Beth Franklin is our go-to expert for all things Social Security benefits. With over 40 years as a financial journalist and a CFP designation, she has a wealth of knowledge and understands Social Security from the financial planning point of view. She is a contributing editor at InvestmentNews, an author, and an in-demand speaker […]
Does MRA+10 Qualify for FEHB?
“Is there a reason why you did not include the MRA+10 in the group below when speaking about qualifying for FEHB? I thought that this group would also be qualified for health benefits if you held FEHB for 5 years. Thanks, Tracy” Your Best Benefit as a Federal Employee Your Federal Employee Health Benefits […]
Ep #13: Mailbag
What kind of protection does the spouse of a federal employee have? Does everyone need insurance—and how is it beneficial? In this episode, Tammy and Micah answer frequently asked questions sent in by listeners, addressing everything from survivor benefits to your high-3. Listen in as they explain how to calculate your highest paying years, as […]
Live Off TSP while postponing Social Security?
“Next May I can retire with 35 years at the age of 62. I was considering working 10 more months to retire at 63 and get more Social Security. The physical aspects of the job are the disadvantages of staying. Is it a good idea to live off of TSP and postpone getting Social Security […]