Advertise on podcast: Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast

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 work, what happens when payments are tied to life expectancy, why proportionate distributions can create challenges during a down market, and why flexibility matters when building a long-term retirement income strategy. The goal isn't simply to choose a withdrawal method. It's to create a distribution strategy that gives you income today, provides flexibility for the future, and sets guardrails to help your retirement savings last.

When should a federal employee claim Social Security? At 62, full retirement age, or 70?  The answer may involve much more than finding your mathematical break-even point.  In this episode of FERS Federal Fact Check, we look at what happens when you claim Social Security early, how delayed retirement credits work, why "claim it and invest it" carries assumptions of its own, and why married federal employees may want to pay particular attention to survivor income.    🎧 Listen to the full episode and read the article to learn what federal employees should consider before choosing when to claim Social Security. https://zurl.co/4Tolo

Is having a will enough to complete your estate plan?  For many federal employees, the answer may be no.  In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Floyd Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, discusses several pieces of an estate plan that can be easy to overlook, including powers of attorney, medical directives, beneficiary designations, the TSP, FEGLI, and trusts.  You'll learn why Floyd believes federal employees should review their estate planning documents before retirement, not after.  Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!  Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC  Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww  Happy Planning!

You may have heard that you need a certain amount of money before retirement. But those numbers do not tell you whether your individual retirement plan will work.  For federal employees, retirement income may come from multiple sources, including the FERS Basic Benefit, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Your personal retirement number also depends on how much you expect to spend, when you retire, taxes, health care costs, and the lifestyle you want to maintain.  Instead of asking only, "How much money should I have saved?" consider asking:  How much income will I need in retirement, and where will that income come from?  A retirement strategy should bring together your expected spending, FERS pension, Social Security, TSP and other assets, taxes, health care expenses, survivor needs, and personal retirement goals.  Listen to the full episode, read the article and learn how to start building a retirement plan around your own numbers https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/how-much-do-you-really-need-to-retire?utm_medium=social&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=fffc-26-0909   Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!    Happy Planning!

What happens to your income after your last federal paycheck, before OPM finishes processing your FERS retirement?  For many federal employees, retirement brings a big change in cash flow. Your regular paycheck ends, you might get paid for unused annual leave, and OPM may start sending interim retirement payments while your application is being processed.  So how can you keep paying your bills during this time?  In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, is discussed why cash flow is the heartbeat of retirement and how federal employees can begin preparing for the transition before their retirement date arrives.  As you approach retirement, it's essential to ensure that you have a plan in place to address any potential income gaps. Download your copy of our guide that can help you calculate this gap and offer practical strategies to bridge it - https://zurl.co/QLcgf    Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!  Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC  Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww  Happy Planning!

A fake virus alert pops up on your computer. It looks like it came from Apple, Microsoft, or another company you recognize. It says your device is infected and tells you to call a phone number immediately.  What should you do?   In this FERS Federal Fact Check episode, we discuss how tech support scams, fake computer warnings, and crypto-related fraud can target federal employees and retirees.   These scams are often designed to create urgency, fear, and confusion so that people act before they have time to think.  Want help reviewing your retirement plan?  Schedule a conversation with a professional to walk through your options and support more informed decision-making: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/schedule-your-personal-consultation/?utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube    Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals! Happy Planning!

Can AI tell you when to claim Social Security? A chatbot may be able to explain age 62, full retirement age, delayed credits, or the earnings test. But it may not understand your FERS pension, your spouse's future income, your TSP plan, your tax picture, or your survivor planning needs. Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!   If you are wondering what you should be doing before and immediately after your federal retirement date - grab your copy of our guide today - https://zurl.co/1oIzt

In this episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Floyd Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, discuss what federal employees should focus on when evaluating their Social Security claiming strategy. They explain how Social Security fits into a broader retirement plan, why headlines don't always tell the full story, and how factors such as taxes, survivor benefits, Medicare, and retirement income should be considered before making a decision. Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww

These risks can affect your pension, TSP, Social Security benefits, and overall retirement strategy long after your retirement date arrives. Understanding these risks may help you make more informed decisions as you prepare for the years ahead. Schedule a conversation with a professional to walk through your options and support more informed decision-making: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/schedule-your-personal-consultation/?utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube

Federal employees and spouses often hear the phrase: "It's an inheritance, so it's tax-free." But is that actually true? In this FERS Federal Fact Check episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, breaks down a common misunderstanding around inherited money, estate taxes, and taxable retirement accounts. Find out why "no inheritance tax" does not always mean "no taxes," and how inherited accounts could affect your retirement income, tax bracket, and long-term planning decisions. Check out the full article on our website: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/did-you-just-inherit-a-tax-problem?utm_medium=social&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=fffc-26-0527

Are you accidentally putting your retirement at risk? In this week's episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down a common mistake we see: treating retirement accounts like an ATM without a clear plan. The result? Unexpected taxes, market timing risks, and potential strain on long-term financial independence Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww

What happens if your TSP beneficiary isn't who you thought it was? This is a situation we've seen more often than you might expect, and it can create real issues for your family if not addressed in advance. If you're within 5–10 years of retirement, this is one area you don't want to overlook. Want help reviewing your retirement plan? Schedule a conversation with a professional to walk through your options and support more informed decision-making: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/schedule-your-personal-consultation/utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!

Are your retirement decisions guided by your own goals, or are they influenced by headlines, ads, and market noise? In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Floyd Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, break down how external influences can impact financial decision-making, often without you even realizing it. From chasing last year's top-performing investments to reacting to market volatility, they explain how these behaviors can affect long-term retirement outcomes. Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww

What happens if your FERS retirement paperwork is delayed, or you can't follow up after submitting your application? In this episode of FERS Federal Fact Check, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner, Wealth Advisor, walks through what federal employees can do if their retirement application feels stuck in the system. From locating your CSA number to reconnecting with OPM and understanding potential delays, this video breaks down practical next steps. Learn more and read the full breakdown here: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/fers-paperwork-lost-or-delayed-steps-to-get-back-on-track?utm_medium=social&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=fffc-26-0429

Many federal employees care deeply about charitable giving, but the way you give can really affect your taxes. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down strategies that may help you make more tax-efficient charitable contributions, based on current IRS rules. They cover practical concepts like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, and how standard vs. itemized deductions can affect your overall tax picture. The goal is simple: help you better understand the rules so you can make more informed retirement decisions. If you want to help make sure you take the right step while handling your federal benefits, schedule a consultation call with one of our advisors today - https://zurl.co/PWkw