FERS Retirement Planning

What Medicare Part B Covers That FEHB Doesn’t

Real Question from a Federal Employee Do I need Medicare Part B if I have FEHB? I find it hard to believe Medicare Part B

#135 Your Last Year Before Retirement: The Ultimate Prep Guide

Listen to the Full Episode: Are you a year away from retirement? The final 12 months before you retire from federal service are some of

Timing is Everything: When to Claim Social Security as a Federal Employee

Real Question from a Federal Employee What age can I start collecting Social Security retirement benefits? What is my full retirement age, and how does

#134 Retirement Readiness: The Secrets to Knowing You’re Truly Ready

Listen to the Full Episode: What does real retirement readiness look like? In this episode, Micah is joined by his father and mentor, Floyd, to

Approaching Retirement: How to Check If You’re Prepared

Real Question from a Federal Employee Hello, I have a question. I’m a few years out from retiremen, how can I be sure I’m financially

Changes in the Retirement Process

Listen to the Full Episode: Facing the New Challenges of Federal Retirement: What 2025 Means for You Federal retirement in 2025 requires thoughtful consideration of

#133 Smart Retirement Planning in Volatile Markets: Cash Flow, TSP, and Taxes

Listen to the Full Episode: Are today’s market swings making you nervous about your retirement? You’re not alone but the good news is, there are

Are You Able to Combine State and Federal Retirement Contributions?

I have 2 years state retirement contributions, 10 years military (7 years federal 3 years guard). Can I combine state and federal retirement contributions? Do

#132 Understanding How the Economy and Your Retirement Portfolio Are Related

Listen to the Full Episode: In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement podcast, Micah Shilanski and Christian Sakamoto dive deep into the relationship

Does Retiring at the End of the Month Affect TSP Contributions?

Question about TSP matching Contributions.If I retire at the end of a month, which happens to be the middle of a pay period, do I

#131 The Government Is… What Can You Control?

Listen to the Full Episode: Is your financial plan ready for unexpected changes? In this episode, Micah and Jamie highlight the importance of taking charge

Is It Possible to Suspend FEHB and Come Back Later?

Can I suspend FEHB in retirement then start it again later if my new (private sector) employer offers health coverage benefits that I’d like to

Can You Qualify for FEHB in Retirement by Returning to Federal Service?

I have 15 years of federal service and am 55 years old. I have only been in the FEHB for my most recent 3 years

Protecting Your Pension: How to Spot a Scam as a Federal Employee

The more confident you are that you won’t be scammed, the more vulnerable you are. Scammed, Phished, Hacked, or Conned… isn’t just for the vulnerable

Is It Possible to Access Your FERS Supplement Early?

Is it possible to request a waiver to access the FERS Supplement two years early? My wife has 32/33 years but only turns 55 in

#128 Why “Buy and Hold” Doesn’t Always Work?

Listen to the Full Episode: Is “buy and hold” really the best strategy for retirement investing? In this podcast episode, Micah and Christian explore why

Can You Delay Your Annuity and Still Keep FEHB Coverage?

Thank you for your wonderful and helpful videos on postponed retirement. The one question I have remaining is – I understand that if I retire

#127 Avoiding Tax Traps: What Every Federal Employee Should Know

Listen to the Full Episode: Think you know how your FERS pension, Social Security, or military retirement will be taxed? Think again. In this episode,

Transferring TSP to IRA: Withdrawal Rules

First, I have listened to your podcast for year,s and it has been a wealth of information. Thank you. Now for my question…I am a

#126 Choosing Your Perfect Retirement Date: The Ultimate Checklist

Listen to the Full Episode: What does retirement really look like beyond the financials? In this podcast episode, Micah and Floyd discuss what life is

Does Buying Back Military Time Affect Your CRSC?

Hi, my name is Eric. I am calling because I have a question about buying back my military time. I am retired from the from

#118 TSP Secrets: The Key to Starting Your Year Off Right

Listen to the Full Episode: Are you ready to unlock the secrets to a stronger TSP in 2025? In this podcast episode, Christian and John

Understanding the Impact of Lump Sum Annual Leave on Your FERS Supplement

Hello. My name is Joyce and I am trying to determine the best date to retire either december 31st or january 11th 2025 at the

#117 The Psychological Impact of Retirement: Preparing for Life After Federal Service

Listen to the Full Episode: Ready for retirement but still trying to figure out what comes after the paycheck? In this podcast episode, Jamie and

TSP to Roth IRA: What Federal Employees Need to Know

I’m 60 years old with 36 years of service. I called the TSP help line and asked if I could roll over money from the

#116 The Strategic Role of Qualified Charitable Distributions in Retirement

Listen to the Full Episode: How can Qualified Charitable Distributions in Retirement help you give strategically and reduce taxes? In this podcast episode, Christian and

Buying Back Military Time and Pension

Hello, I just started federal employment this July. I served Active Duty in the Army for 9 years from 2009 to 2018. In 2018 I

#115 Essential Steps to Secure Your Federal Retirement: What You Need to Know

Listen to the Full Episode: Ready to secure your federal retirement? In this podcast episode, Micah and Christian discuss essential steps to secure your federal

Insurance Coverage And Medicare

Yes, my name is Bobby and I have a question on the life insurance coverage. I read here that it said that the basic life

#114 Boost Your Retirement Savings: Understanding FERS Contribution Rates

Listen to the Full Episode: Navigating federal retirement benefits can be complex, but understanding FERS contribution rates is key. These rates determine your eligibility, pension

When do Your Years Stop Counting Towards Your FERS Retirement

“Yes, my name is Marty. I like to know about FERS, if there is a maximum amount of years that I can work and then

#113 Retirement Tax Traps: How to Avoid Surprises in Your Federal Retirement Planning

Listen to the Full Episode: Understanding how to navigate taxes in retirement is crucial for preserving your hard-earned income. From Roth conversions to Qualified Charitable

FERS Part-Time Service: Clarifying the Creditable Service Rules

Yes, my name is Martha, and I tune into as many of your podcasts as I can, for your valuable information, I have a question

#112 Crafting Your 10-Year Tax Plan: How to Reduce Liabilities in Your FERS Retirement

Listen to the Full Episode: Planning for your retirement requires a solid understanding of your options. Discover the best strategies for managing your Thrift Savings

Navigating Earnings Limit and SRS: What Happens When You Turn 62?

If you have a birth month of Jan ro April, and the year you obtain age 61, you exceed the earnings limit, how is that

#111 Rental Property And Estate Planning

Listen to the Full Episode: Are you ready to turn your retirement savings into a reliable income stream? Understanding your spending goals and determining your

Understanding the FERS Supplement: Eligibility and Next Steps

FERS supplement annuity. I retired from SSA under the 25 years of service at any age in 2014. I was told I would be eligible

#109 How Does Retirement Income Work – A Roadmap To Financial Freedom

Listen to the Full Episode: Are you ready to turn your retirement savings into a reliable income stream? Understanding your spending goals and determining your

Can You Access Your FERS Supplement Right After Retirement?

I can retire in october 2019 with 30 years under first, I will be 56 and I mean 10 months old and I do not

#108 Federal Finances: Navigating Retirement Prep

Listen to the Full Episode: Join Tammy and Micah, as they share their insights on navigating retirement preparation, avoiding common mistakes with OPM, and ensuring

Social Security: What YOU Need to Know

Social Security is one of the most talked about and misunderstood parts of retirement planning. For many federal employees nearing retirement, online discussions, headlines, and

#144 Finish 2025 Strong, Start 2026 Smarter: Federal Retirement Planning

Listen to the Full Episode: As the year closes, federal employees can’t afford to miss critical planning opportunities that protect their retirement and avoid

Social Security: The Bridge Strategy!

When you hear the word “bridge,” you probably picture the Golden Gate or Brooklyn Bridge, not your retirement income. For federal employees, though, a bridge

#143 Tax-Saving Strategies for the Year-End: What You Need to Do Now

Listen to the Full Episode: A year-end retirement review can be a valuable step for federal employees who want to better understand their benefits

Viral Finance: Should You Trust Trends?

From Magazines To TikTok Financial “trends” are nothing new; only the platforms have changed. Decades ago, investors chased the latest ideas from glossy money magazines

#142 Year End – What Planning You Need to Do

Listen to the Full Episode: Year-end is one of the most strategic times for Federal Employees to review their financial picture, retirement timeline, and

Is YOUR Social Security Taxable?

https://youtu.be/xIjeO–32Lc Most federal employees are surprised to learn that up to 85% of their Social Security benefits may be taxable in retirement. In this episode,

FERS Pension Going Down in 2026

We’re all feeling the impact of inflation. Groceries, gas, utilities… everything costs more. Unfortunately, federal retirees may soon feel it even more directly. For many,

#141 Furloughed! What Federal Employees Can Do When Paychecks Stop

Listen to the Full Episode: In this episode of Plan Your Federal Retirement, Jamie C. Shilanski, RFC®, talks about one of the most stressful

Wait, FEHB Is Auto-Enrolling You in Medicare Part D? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are Federal Employees Being Auto-Enrolled in Medicare Part D? If you’re enrolled in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan that now offers Medicare Part

#140 What Federal Employees Are Really Asking About Retirement

Listen to the Full Episode: Ever wonder what questions other federal employees are asking as they plan for retirement? In this special episode, we’re taking

Do Trusts Pay Higher Taxes on Inherited TSPs and IRAs Than Individual Beneficiaries?

Real Question from a Federal Employee I am a widow and own an inherited TSP from my husband. Currently, I listed our Living Trust as

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

Federal Employment has perhaps never been more uncertain. The Cross Roads When we visit with Federal Employees, we usually run into two groups of people.

Government Shutdown: What This Means for Your Federal Retirement

Feds are facing yet another extended furlough in 2025. A furlough is when an employer, in this case the federal government, places employees on an

How Should I Allocate My TSP For Retirement Security?

Real Question from a Federal Employee As I approach retirement, what are the safest and best TSP investment and allocation strategies, any suggestions? – Andrew

#138 Money Can Hurt, Especially Kids With Money….

Listen to the Full Episode: When it comes to money, the emotional impact is often overlooked, but it can ‘make or break’ a family’s financial

Is There a Limit on the Annual Leave Payout at Retirement?

Real Question from a Federal Employee What is the maximum amount of unused annual leave that I may be paid for when I retire? – Wayne

#137 Medicare & FEHB: Your Blueprint for Retirement Healthcare Success

Listen to the Full Episode: Healthcare is one of the most important, and often most confusing, parts of retirement. For federal employees, the combination of

Buy Back Military Time and Keep Retirement Pay, Is It Possible?

Real Question from a Federal Employee Hey, I am retired Air Force 22 years a combat injury related 100 % disabled veteran. I am working

#136 Maximizing Your Social Security: The Insider’s Guide

Listen to the Full Episode: Social Security is one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning. For federal employees and their families, it’s not

#152 How Will You Pay the Bills While OPM Processes Your Retirement

Listen to the Full Episode: Retirement changes more than where you spend your time, it also changes how and when your income arrives. This

What Should You Do If a “Virus Alert” Pops Up and Asks You to Call?

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question from many federal employees: “I received a pop-up on my computer saying my device was infected and I

How Much Do You Really Need to Retire?

Retirement headlines often focus on one big number. You may read that you need $1 million, $1.5 million, or even $2 million before you can

Should You Trust AI With Your Social Security Decision?

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. You can ask a chatbot almost any question and get an answer in seconds. Questions like: When should I take Social

#151 Should You Change Your Social Security Strategy Because of the News?

Listen to the Full Episode: Most federal employees focus on how much they’ve saved for retirement, but overlook one critical factor that can determine

The 4 Retirement Risks That Never Go Away

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question 1739 from Bob: My brother passed away and his quarterly tsp statement in the beneficiary summary says his

Did You Just Inherit a Tax Problem?

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question 1739 from Bob: My brother passed away and his quarterly tsp statement in the beneficiary summary says his

#150 Why Your Retirement Plan Might Fail

Listen to the Full Episode: Most federal employees focus on how much they’ve saved for retirement, but overlook one critical factor that can determine

TSP Beneficiary Discrepancy? What to Do Next

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question 1739 from Bob: My brother passed away and his quarterly tsp statement in the beneficiary summary says his

#149 Are You Letting Headlines Control Your Retirement Decisions?

Listen to the Full Episode: Are your retirement decisions based on your own goals, or are they influenced by headlines, ads, and market noise?

FERS Paperwork Lost or Delayed? Steps to Get Back on Track

Real Question from a Federal Employee I submitted a FERS application last year but then became ill and could not follow up. I did receive

#148 Are You Missing These Tax Savings? Charitable Strategies Explained

Listen to the Full Episode: Charitable giving can play an important role in retirement, and the way you give can have a big effect

Can a 401(k) Contribution Save Your FERS Supplement?

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question 1705 from Sallie: I have a question about the FERS Supplement. I am going to retire from the

#147 Does market timing always work?

Listen to the Full Episode: In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke

What Happens to Your Social Security If You Die Before Claiming?

Real Question from a Federal Employee I have a question regarding social security. I will have the higher benefit and plan on not collecting social

Why Every SF-50 Matters for Your FERS Retirement

When getting ready for federal retirement, many employees pay attention to eligibility dates, pension estimates, and benefit choices. One often missed and potentially expensive problem

Healthy Today, But Should You Still Get Medicare B?

Real Question from a Federal Employee Question 1695 from Swatti: I have FEHB BC/BS Basic plan and have to decide on Medicare Part B. I

#146 The COLA Mirage: Why Inflation Is Quietly Shrinking Your Retirement

Listen to the Full Episode: Inflation doesn’t always show up loudly, and for many federal employees and retirees, the biggest danger is assuming COLA

Does the Earnings Limit Still Apply When Your Supplement Stops at 62?

Real Question from a Federal Employee I’m currently retired from the postal service and have been receiving postal supplements. At the age of 61. I

#145 Longevity vs. Living Today: The Retirement Balancing Act You Should Know

Listen to the Full Episode: Retirement isn’t just about making your money last, it’s about using it wisely while you still can. In this

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