Ep #63: When Your TSP is Down 25%
Listen to the Full Episode: There are a couple of times a year when it’s really important to have clients come in and review things. As we move into the fall/winter season, this is one of those times for both Micah and today’s guest, Christian Sakamoto. Today Christian and Micah talk about some of the […]
Ep #45: LTC – What You Need To Know And Avoid!
As people get ready to retire, questions about long-term care often start coming up. Although it may not be the most fun subject, it’s a great one to have a solid understanding of and plan for. So, in this episode, Tammy and Micah let you in on the things you most need to know about […]
Ep #44: No Love Like Survivor Benefits (Heart)
Now that we’re in February, we’re going to call this episode “the love episode”—and there’s no love like survivor benefits. So today, Micah and Tammy discuss important planning decisions when it comes to retiring as a couple and planning for post-retirement transitions. You can also get a great look into survivor benefits, including what you […]
Ep #42: New Year Planning (Finance and Fitness: The Two Things You Won’t Do :) )
It’s a new year, and Tammy and Micah are here to talk about some of the things that have changed, some of the things that might change in 2022, and what you can do to maximize your retirement. They will be going through some notable areas that will need your attention in order to ensure […]
Ep #41: TSP & Market Volatility: Part 4 – Q & A
In this episode, Tammy and Micah continue with the insights into TSP series and answer some great questions from active TSP participants. Whether you are deciding at what age to take Social Security, wanting to calculate a FERS pension, or trying to find the best savings and growth plans in retirement, this episode is for […]
Ep #40: TSP & Market Volatility: Part 3 – Silver Linings
In this mini-series, Micah and Tammy have been talking about your TSP during a time of volatility and the strategies you can implement to encourage growth and stability at all times. (If you haven’t yet, check out the previous two episodes where they answer questions about TSP in retirement and outline the bucket strategy.) This […]
Ep #39: TSP & Market Volatility: Part 2 – Buckets
Today, Tammy and Micah continue to address questions they’ve been receiving regarding your TSP and market volatility. In this second part of the series, they will focus on giving insight into the strategies they use when planning. (If you haven’t tuned in to the first part, head back to check out episode 38 before jumping […]
Ep #38: TSP and Market Volatility: Part 1 – Markets Go Down…Now What?
How are things going to unfold when it comes to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account? Tammy and Micah have been getting a flood of questions related to this lately, so today—and for the next few episodes—they’ll be giving you access to a webinar they did on this topic. Over this 4-part series, you’ll learn […]
Ep #37: Non Voluntary vs Voluntary Separation
Right now, the entire world revolves around COVID—even more so with executive orders and rules that are requiring employees to get the vaccine by the end of November. Micah and Tammy have gotten quite a few questions about how this situation might play out in terms of federal benefits, so today they’ll be discussing the […]
Ep #36: Medicare Advantage Within and Outside of FEHB
At 65, something happens to all of us where we have this forced decision that we have to deal with when it comes to Medicare—and it opens up a few more options. There are a lot of rumors about Medicare that go around (some true, some not true), so facing plan changes and all the […]
Ep #35: Social Security, COLA, TSP
Today, Micah and Tammy are picking up where they left off in the last episode and discussing Social Security COLA and your TSP COLA. They’ll be sharing how those two things work together, as well as how you can plan for them to serve you best. Listen in to learn how COLA works with Social […]
Ep #34: COLA vs. Pay Increase
Many people are under the wrong impression when it comes to retirement, COLA, and pay increases. Once the numbers are run, things are rarely as rosy as they may have seemed during planning. So today, Micah and Tammy will be addressing this and a few other additional misconceptions people have when planning their retirement. Listen […]
Can you deduct your FEHB premiums in retirement?
I am aware that after I put in ten years’ federal civilian creditable service and then retire, my FERS annuity will be reduced monthly by 10% for the surviving spouse 50% annuity and that FEHB premiums will be deducted as well. My questions: Are the FEHB premiums in retirement deductible? Is the 10% deduction taxable? […]
Ep #33: Risks in Retirement
When preparing for retirement, it’s important to plan for flexibility. There are a number of post-retirement risks that can upend the most precisely laid-out retirement plans, and the longer the retirement period grows, the harder it is to be certain you have planned accordingly with your assets. So, in this episode, Micah and Tammy will […]
Ep #32: Retiring In December vs. January
More and more federal employees are thinking about retiring at the end of the year, and while we’ve already gone over the best times to retire, this episode is going to focus on this common aim for retirement and how to get ready for it right now. You’ll learn what you can do to prepare […]
Follow Up Friday – Derailing Your Retirement
Learn more about the things that can sabotage your retirement. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #31: Derailing Your Retirement
When it comes to retirement, there is an overwhelming amount of incomplete or incorrect information on the internet purported as fact. The truth is, you don’t know what you don’t know, so it can be easy to overlook these misconceptions and accept them as truth. In this episode, Micah and Tammy will be sharing some […]
Follow Up Friday – Why Mid-Career Is the MOST Important Time
Learn the important differences between retiring at 60 and retiring at 62. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #30: Why Mid-Career Is the MOST Important Time
There is so much misinformation out there, and sometimes, it is important to simply get back to basics and ensure your information is correct. So in this episode, Micah and Tammy will be going over the fundamentals of retirement, focusing on how things may change from individual to individual and the different choices that may […]
Follow Up Friday – The Questions You Should Have Asked
Tips for figuring out the best plan for your retirement. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #29: The Questions You Should Have Asked
Will a form for retirement be sent to you, or do you have to request that form? Can you transfer money from a traditional TSP to a Roth TSP—and will there be penalties? These are just some of the things that Micah and Tammy will be covering in today’s episode as they reply to questions […]
Follow Up Friday – Court Orders That Can Half Your Retirement
What you need to know about how a divorce can impact your retirement planning. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #28: Court Orders That Can Half Your Retirement
Divorce is generally not a fun topic, but when you are considering retirement, it is a necessary discussion to have. For many people, the terms and conditions of a divorce can come back to haunt them—even decades later—if they are not completely settled upon in the beginning. So in this episode, Micah and Tammy will […]
Follow Up Friday – TSP and Social Security
Questions to ask yourself to ensure you’re properly balancing your social security and TSP so you get the most benefit. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #27: TSP and Social Security
Are you wondering what to do about your social security or how to go about taking money from your TSP? If so, this episode is for you! Today, Micah and Tammy chat about how to balance social security and TSP so you get the most benefit. You’ll also learn what things you need to be […]
Sick and Annual Leave at Retirement
“Hi Micah and Tammy, I’m a Federal employee with 30 years in, and 5 years out from retirement. Can you explain how unused Sick and Annual leave are handled at retirement? I understand that unused SL balances can increase your annuity but I don’t understand the formulas. Thank you.” -Cheryl Annual Leave Let’s start with […]
Follow Up Friday – What’s The Best Distribution Rate From Your TSP?
What you need to know about your TSP benefits so you can avoid risk and maximize your retirement funds. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #26: What’s The Best Distribution Rate From Your TSP?
You’ve worked your whole life, now you’re ready to retire. But do you know how to maximize your benefits and set yourself up for retirement success? In this episode, we’re talking all about the Thrift Savings Plan and how to find that sweet spot to maintain a nice retirement lifestyle and your savings at the […]
Follow Up Friday – Why Life Events Matter
How to protect and prepare your loved ones for unexpected life events. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #25: Why Life Events Matter
It’s the little details that can really trip you up, so Tammy and Micah share specific areas and situations they’ve noticed clients having trouble with and how you can avoid those issues. As the title hints, life events are a key area where many people do not do enough planning or strategy and in the […]
Follow Up Friday – How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
The importance of looking over your policies, reevaluating your beneficiaries and everything you need to know about FEGLI. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #24: How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
With so many misconceptions around life insurance, it can be hard to determine the appropriate plan or amount for your needs. Unfortunately, there are some people in the financial business that believe it is a one size fits all service, however that is not the case. So where do you begin? In this episode, Micah […]
Follow Up Friday – Best Day to Retire
How to properly plan for the day of your retirement. Listen to the Full Episode: Enjoy the show? Use the Links Below to Subscribe:
Ep #23: Best Day to Retire
With more retirement planning and with every year that retirement gets closer, the question is often asked, “What day is best to retire?” Tammy and Micah sit down to set the record straight when it comes to choosing a retirement date. They share how people tend to focus on maximizing benefits and where else you […]
Ep #22: Estate Planning and TSP Quirks
Do you have a plan put in place for who will inherit your assets after your demise? Many people are solely focused on increasing their assets whilst they are still alive, but often forget about securing who it will all go to when they are gone. In this episode, Micah and Tammy will be discussing […]
Ep #21: The Years After You Retire
Ensuring you have met your savings goals during your retirement planning is incredibly important, but it is just one of many things to consider. Unfortunately, retirement planning doesn’t stop when you retire, and it’s important to make sure you’ll be able to maintain your goals once you have retired. So in this episode, Micah and […]
Ep #20: Phase of Retirement – The Year of Retirement
When it comes to your retirement, it can be a very stressful time—or it can be a very smooth transition. It really comes down to what planning you have put in place to set yourself up for success. In this episode, Micah and Tammy will be sharing the practices you must have in place the […]
Ep #19: Phase of Retirement – 5 Years Out From Retirement
When we consider retirement, most of us think about this chapter in our lives as a positive time—and it can be, as long as we are fully prepared. So today, Micah and Tammy will be discussing all the measurements to put in place as you approach your retirement. They will be sharing courses you can […]
Ep #18: Phase of Retirement – 10 Years Out From Retirement
When you are planning for your retirement, there are a lot of different areas you need to be aware of financially, and it can be an overwhelming amount of information to take in at once. So today, Tammy and Micah will be discussing the key factors to keep an eye on when you are 5-10 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ep #14: With Special Guest Mary Beth Franklin
Mary Beth Franklin is our go-to professional 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 […]
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 […]
Ep #11: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
When is the right time to retire? And what are the different options as a federal employee? While everyone wants to retire early, the fact is the “perfect time” is different for everyone. So in this episode, Micah and Tammy share how to prepare yourself, as well as your spouse, for your retirement and the […]
Ep #10: FEHB and Medicare in Open Season
We’re on the brink of another open season, so today Micah and Tammy are sharing the information you need to know about this upcoming season. You will learn one of the best benefits you have, how to choose a plan that allows you to take full advantage of your retirement, and what to expect in […]
Ep #9: Military Buyback
Have you served in the military, but aren’t quite sure how to use that military time for your civil service? A lot of mistakes get made in this area, whether it’s misconceptions, not getting documents in order, or even a communication issue with your HR department about what counts—or does not count—for retirement with your […]
Ep #6: Social Security Claiming
We hear a lot of people say they want to turn on their social security as soon as possible in order to capitalize on the benefits while they are still available. So today, Tammy and Micah are discussing the misconceptions that lead to this idea, as well as the history of the system and how […]
Ep #5: What Does Retirement Really Look Like??
Everyone looks forward to retirement and the freedom that comes along with no longer being locked down to a job, but what if it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Today Micah and Tammy are discussing the common misconceptions of retirement. In this episode, they share the importance of keeping your cash flow consistent […]
Ep #4: Looking at Insurance in Retirement
Micah and Tammy have shared their thoughts and experiences with credible services, agency estimates, and other incomes, but what about risk management? In this episode, they will be discussing the different insurance options you have as a federal employee and how to keep that health insurance into retirement. It’s so important to understand your benefits […]
Ep #3: Other Income
When you retire, it’s not just about having the time to do everything that you want to do—it’s also about having the money to make these dreams come true. So in this episode, Tammy and Micah will be focusing on the “other incomes” that you have access to and discussing the important decisions surrounding these […]
Ep #2: What’s NOT On Your Retirement Estimate?
To have a comfortable and enjoyable retirement, you need a financial safety net to fund it all. So when you are planning for the rest of your life, how much money are you actually going to have? Today Micah and Tammy are discussing retirement estimates and how to accurately calculate what your pension will be. […]
Ep #1: What’s On Your Retirement Estimate?
Welcome to the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, where Certified Financial Planner Micah Shilanski and Principal Retirement Specialist Tammy Flanagan come together to ensure you are making informed decisions as you plan for your retirement. Each week, you will hear them share the unique financial planning considerations that federal employees have that may not be […]