Federal Retirement Planning, LLC

09/04/2023

It's not a bad idea to occasionally check this web page for any recent news or changes to the management of your Thrift Savings Plan.

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve. It was established by Congress in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 and offers the same types of savings and tax be...

09/05/2020

Although there are many wonderful agency human resource, benefits, and retirement officers, unfortunately some agency human resources help desks remind me of this:

07/24/2020

Another intro video that I created for online content

07/24/2020

I plan on using this with some of the online content that I'm currently creating.

07/07/2020

Although it's typically a "no brainer" to pay the necessary deposit under FERS to obtain retirement service credit for your creditable active duty military service, that's not always true if you are retired from active duty.

06/21/2020

If you decide to collect Social Security before you reach your full retirement age, you might want to be aware of an option that allows you to suspend your payments anytime between your FRA and age 70. Most people and many local Social Security offices are not aware of this option.

Voluntarily request to suspend your retirement benefits at your full retirement age and wait until age 70 to receive your benefits at a higher amount.

10/15/2018

This is a 2-part article that I recently wrote for NARFE magazine to assist members with their understanding of Social Security. Every month NARFE shares wonderful details about the sorts of things that are important to federal employees, annuitants, and survivor annuitants.

11/15/2016

We couldn't help but chuckle (just a little) when we received OPM's most recent Benefits Administration Letter via email today regarding their new policy on document corrections. The following was copied directly from the subject line of the email:

BAL 16-102 OPM No Longer Acceting Corrections on Certain Benefits Election Forms

:D

10/24/2016

Looking forward to this radio show in about 40 minutes... it will be available to listen to later as well in MP3 format once it's archived online.

https://www.podcastone.com/episode/Prior-Military-Service-and-Federal-Retirement-Planning---What-You-Want-to-Know

This week on ForYourBenefit, Bob Leins welcomes James Marshall, Federal Benefit Specialist, to discuss "all things military" as it might apply to your Federal Civilian as well as your Military Career benefit and retirement planning. October 24, 2016

03/18/2016

Here is a very well written article regarding some recent changes to the Social Security program for folks that have already reached their mid-60's but haven't applied for Social Security yet... including an option that has an April 29th deadline. http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20160314/BLOG05/160319970/why-the-social-security-file-and-suspend-strategy-isnt-for-everyone?utm_source=Morning-20160316&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=investmentnews&utm_visit=577472

Just because you are eligible, doesn't mean this claiming strategy is right for you.

12/17/2015

You can still register to watch this webinar that we did last week. This webinar was a panel presentation on Federal Benefits, Financial Planning, and Estate Planning, focusing on some changes to Benefits and Estate Tax Law, as well as some financial check-list items to get your new year started off on the right direction. This is a special 90 minute presentation, be sure to join us for some interesting year-end strategies.

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&referrer=&eventid=1104668&sessionid=1&key=423B404759E302F8C9B4DF7CD9D2F201®Tag=&sourcepage=register

12/10/2015

The health insurance open season ends in a few days on December 14th.

The December issue of NARFE Magazine has an excellent section on all the health plan choices for both active and retired federal workers. In easy-to-read fashion, the magazine goes in detail into the changes that are being made in the fee-for-service (national) plans for 2016. And it has a monthly what-you’ll-pay premium guide. And detailed information on coverage for both people who don’t have Medicare, and the best plans for those with Medicare Part A and/or Part B.

Normally, the NARFE magazine is only for NARFE members, which makes sense. But NARFE has agreed to open up its magazine this month for nonmembers. All you have to do is click here and start shopping.

http://www.narfe.org/openseason

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association