How Much Should I Have in Roth Accounts?
One question I have been asked a lot lately is, “how much should I have in Roth IRAs?” Or a more specific question, “What is the ideal mix between tax-deferred, tax free and taxable assets?”
TSP Declines, Context, and Actions
This year the stock market has gone down a little over 25% which can make anyone feel a little uncomfortable. But what do future returns look like after the market has fallen 25%? Knowing this should give investors some context and an idea of future expectations.
The Federal Retiree Who Did Nothing
I want to share a somewhat common scenario I recently saw in hopes that it will help new and future federal retirees. My biggest reason for sharing is that I see this scenario a lot and I hope it resonates with some of my readers.
Is the TSP Cheap?
“The Thrift Savings Plan is cheap” may be the most common statement I hear to describe TSP, typically from people nearing retirement who are considering options outside of TSP. But is the TSP really “cheap”?
TSP Challenges
The Thrift Savings Plan is an important tool in retirement planning and one that most federal employees rely on to an extent, but several issues have surfaced recently that you should be aware of.
Inheriting a Spousal TSP
There is a lot of confusion regarding inherited IRAs, especially as they pertain to spousal inherited IRAs and TSP. What happens when a federal employee or retiree dies and has
Guide to Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) in Retirement
Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) is one of the many benefits granted to federal employees. But what many employees fail to realize is
I Wish I Had.... 5 Regrets of Federal Employees
Have you ever wondered what retirees have to say about their finances after they have retired? Well, after my almost 2 decades experience of working with federal employees, I decide to put together a list of the most common regrets that federal retirees have shared with me.
Roth TSP, Roth IRAs and the Five Year Rule
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Roth accounts and the income tax-free growth they offer. They can be excellent tools for both retirement planning and estate planning; but, it’s important to understand
Reduce Your Retirement Tax Bill by Strategic Giving
In Part one of this series we discussed the fact that retirement income is different than employment income. Retirement income tends to be more flexible and gives you more control over when you pay taxes and how much you pay in income taxes
Why Tax planning is SO Important in Retirement
If you want to keep more of what you make, then tax planning is essential to your retirement plan. Not only does it help you keep more of what you make in the accumulation phase, but never is it more important than
I Don't Like the 4% Rule
Generally speaking, the 4% rule is a guideline that allows for retirees to withdraw 4% of the balance of their investments annually in order to sustain a steady income throughout the entirety of their retirement