#155 Are You Making These Federal Retirement Mistakes
Listen to the Full Episode: Federal retirement mistakes can have a significant impact on your financial future. From misunderstanding retirement benefits to overlooking important deadlines, even small errors can create unnecessary complications when preparing to leave federal service. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor […]
Social Security: Are You Focused on the Wrong Number?
When it comes to Social Security, the biggest number isn’t always the annual cost-of-living adjustment. It may be the amount of income you receive over your lifetime. Each year the headlines about Social Security revolve around one well-known subject: the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Will the benefits rise by 2%, 3%, or even more? Will the […]
#154 3 Smart TSP Withdrawal Strategies (and One to Possibly Avoid)
Listen to the Full Episode: You’ve spent decades building your TSP, but how you take money out in retirement can be just as important as how you saved it. In this episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, breaks down TSP withdrawal strategies federal employees may consider in retirement. He explains how systematic withdrawals […]
Social Security Claiming Age: When Should You Claim Benefits?
Real Question from a Federal Employee Question from many federal employees: “I’m getting close to retirement and keep going back and forth on Social Security. Should I claim at 62 and invest the money, or wait until full retirement age or 70 for a larger monthly benefit? And how could that decision affect my spouse?” […]
#153 Why Your Will Isn’t Enough: Estate Planning Essentials for Federal Employees
Listen to the Full Episode: Estate Planning for Federal Employees: Why a Will Isn’t Enough Estate planning for federal employees involves more than simply writing a will. Federal employees often have retirement benefits, life insurance, and other financial assets that require careful planning to ensure their wishes are followed. Estate planning involves more than […]
#152 How Will You Pay the Bills While OPM Processes Your Retirement
Listen to the Full Episode: Understanding OPM Retirement Processing OPM retirement processing can take time, leaving federal retirees wondering how they will pay their bills while waiting for their retirement benefits. During this period, managing everyday expenses, mortgage payments, and other financial obligations can become challenging. Retirement changes more than where you spend your […]
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 needed to call a support number right away. It looked official. What should I do?” What Is a Virus Alert Pop-Up? If a virus alert pop-up that suddenly appears on […]
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 afford to retire. These numbers may be useful as general examples, but they do not tell you whether your retirement plan will work. The amount you may need depends on […]
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 Security? Should I claim benefits at age 62? Will Social Security still be there when I retire? Is it better to wait until age 70? The answers come quickly. The […]
#151 Should You Change Your Social Security Strategy Because of the News?
Listen to the Full Episode: Why Your Social Security Strategy Matters Social Security strategy is an important part of retirement planning, but should you change yours because of the latest news? Headlines about Social Security benefits, government policies, and potential changes to the program can cause uncertainty for retirees and people approaching retirement. Most […]
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 “living trust is not a beneficiary. “ What do I do? He obviously submitted forms designating the trust a beneficiary since it’s listed? -Thanks Bob Many federal employees spend years […]
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 “living trust is not a beneficiary. “ What do I do? He obviously submitted forms designating the trust a beneficiary since it’s listed? -Thanks Bob When a loved one passes […]