3 Essential Tax Planning Strategies for Federal Retirees
There is an old saying that claims, “It’s not how much you make that’s the most important, but how much you keep.” Uncle Sam does his best to take at least a portion of everything we make. It is up to us to understand tax laws and retain as much as possible.
Don't Get Bernied!
There has always been a lot of discussion about whether or not it’s worth it to work with an advisor. If you have considered working with an advisor, you have probably thought of this question: “how do I know you aren’t a Bernie Madoff?”
The Problem With Having No Life Insurance
Life insurance tends to be a touchy subject. Some people don’t want to discuss death and others just “don’t believe in insurance.”
13 Lesser Known Social Security Facts Every Pre-Retiree Should Know
The Federal Retirement System is meant to be a three part system comprised of the FERS Annuity, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Because Social Security makes up 1/3 of the federal retirement program, it’s important to understand the
Three Things to do With Cash During Quarantine
The nation’s current state is one most of us have never experienced. The majority of the nation has been shut down in response to a global pandemic with severe and changing consequences. One of the most notable consequences is that most federal employees
Reduce Taxes on Inherited IRAs
I was in the process of writing an article on handling inherited IRAs when Congress passed the SECURE Act and changed everything. But while things have certainly changed
Smart Actions in a Market Downturn
A market downturn, or bear market, can be scary for even the most seasoned investors. Investors can easily run through a rollercoaster of emotions--from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows
Move to the G Fund
What should a federal employee do with their Thrift Savings Plan when the market is going down like it has been?
Retiring This Year? Here is a PreRetirement Checklist
Retiring can be one of the biggest decisions a person makes in their lifetime and should not be taken lightly. Preparation can be a key component to an enjoyable
What Do It Yourselfers Get Wrong
A large percentage of people choose to do their own investing and financial planning. Like anything else, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if it is done well
All TSP Funds Can be Bad
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a great tool for federal employees to save for retirement. Saving, and even maxing out your contributions to TSP is normally thought of as a good thing. Yes, maxing out your TSP can be very beneficial, but may
The Secure Act Means Big Changes to Retirement
On December 20, 2019, the US Senate passed a $1.4 trillion dollar spending deal that included the passing of retirement legislation known as the SECURE Act. This law affects many aspects of retirement that are