Federal Benefits Explained

Financial expert Suze Orman has helped millions of Americans build better financial habits but does her advice fully apply to federal employees? In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair reviews Suze Orman's most popular recommendations for the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and explains where he agrees, where federal employees should think differently, and how to build a retirement...

Is there a magic TSP number that means you're ready to retire? In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair explains why retirement readiness isn't determined by having $1 million—or even $2 million—in your Thrift Savings Plan. Instead, successful retirement depends on creating a sustainable income strategy built around your FERS pension, Social Security, taxes, inflation, healthca...

One of the most important—and irreversible—retirement decisions federal employees face is whether to elect a FERS Survivor Benefit or use life insurance to protect their spouse.  In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down how Survivor Benefits work, what they cost, how they compare to term and permanent life insurance, and the tax implications every federal family should understand before retireme...

Many federal employees believe the G Fund is the safest place for their retirement savings.  But is it?  In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down one of the most common questions federal employees ask:  "Should I put 100% of my TSP in the G Fund?"  You'll learn why the answer isn't as simple as avoiding stock market volatility and why inflation may be a bigger threa...

Federal employees often hear that the Thrift Savings Plan is one of the best retirement plans available—and during your working years, that's often true. But what happens when retirement begins? In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down six important limitations of the TSP that many federal employees don't discover until they're preparing to retire. You'll learn: •  ...

Many federal employees believe the safest move during market uncertainty is moving everything into the TSP G Fund.  But is that really the best strategy?  In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why avoiding market losses isn't always the same as protecting your retirement. You'll learn the hidden risk of the G Fund, how inflation impacts purchasing power, why emotional investing can derail your r...

If you’re a federal employee preparing for retirement, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is:   Should you withdraw from your Traditional TSP or Roth TSP first? The answer isn’t as simple as “tax-free is better.” In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down the optimal TSP withdrawal strategy —what we call your asset spend-down order—and why getting this wrong could cost you thousands i...

Most federal employees are told one thing: “Just use the Roth TSP.” But what if that advice could actually cost you? In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down the real pros, cons, and hidden tax traps of the Roth TSP so you can make smarter decisions with your TSP and FERS retirement strategy . You’ll learn: The true difference between Roth and Traditional TSP Why Roth isn’t always the best choic...

Is working after federal retirement actually worth it… or could it cost you more than you think? Many federal employees consider part-time work after retiring—but few understand how it impacts their FERS pension, Special Retirement Supplement (SRS), Social Security, taxes, and even Medicare premiums . In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down the real pros and cons so you can make a confident, in...

If you're a federal employee, your FERS pension and Social Security change everything about how you should invest your TSP. Yet most retirement advice treats you like an average investor… And that’s where costly mistakes happen. In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down how to think about your TSP as part of a complete retirement income plan —not in isolation. You’ll learn: Why your pension acts...

Many federal employees believe that once their income reaches a certain level… they’re no longer eligible to contribute to a Roth account. But when it comes to Roth TSP—that’s not true. In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down one of the most common (and costly) misunderstandings we see: 👉 There is NO income limit for Roth TSP contributions. 👉 But there are income limits for Roth IRAs. We walk...

If you’re approaching retirement and considering moving your TSP into the G Fund… you’re not alone. For many federal employees, the G Fund feels like the “safe” choice. But what if that decision could quietly cost you more than you realize? In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down when the G Fund makes sense and when it could put your retirement at risk. From understanding market volatility to b...

Most federal employees believe the C Fund is the best place to be. And for years… it’s been hard to argue with that. But here’s the problem: What works during your working years doesn’t always work in retirement. In this episode, we break down: What the C Fund actually is (and what it’s missing) Why recent performance can create dangerous assumptions The real risk of going “all in” as you approach...

Most federal employees are told one simple rule: “Choose Roth if taxes will be higher later. Choose traditional if they’ll be lower.” But real life is not that simple. In this episode, we walk through when Roth TSP makes sense and when traditional TSP may actually be the better strategy for federal employees under FERS and CSRS. We break down key factors like: • Your current vs future tax bracket...

A TSP loan may feel like easy money. After all, it is your money. But for federal employees under FERS or CSRS, borrowing from your Thrift Savings Plan can quietly derail your retirement if you do not understand the rules, risks, and long-term consequences. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down: • How TSP loans really work • The difference between general purpose...

What does Warren Buffett have to do with your TSP? More than you think. In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down timeless investing wisdom from Warren Buffett and shows how federal employees can apply it directly to their Thrift Savings Plan. If you are a FERS or CSRS employee, this episode will help you: • Understand why patience beats panic inside your TSP • Learn how diversification really wo...

The Thrift Savings Plan offers strong investment options. The C Fund. The S Fund. The I Fund. The F Fund. The G Fund. But what if your TSP is missing an entire asset class? In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down the one fund the TSP does not include — and why that gap could matter for federal employees approaching retirement. You will learn: • A clear overview of...

Are you accidentally leaving free money on the table in your Thrift Savings Plan? For federal employees under FERS, your 5 percent TSP match is one of the most valuable retirement benefits you have. But every year, federal employees miss out on thousands of dollars simply because they structure their contributions incorrectly. In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down: How the FERS TSP match real...

If you and your spouse are both federal employees, your retirement strategy needs to be coordinated — not duplicated.  In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down the three most important strategies dual FERS and CSRS couples must understand before retiring: • How to coordinate FEHB between spouses • Smart Survivor Benefit (SBP) decisions for dual feds • Social Security timing strategies that prote...

If you are a federal employee under FERS or CSRS , the answer is not as simple as comparing your balance to a million-dollar headline. Your TSP is only one part of your retirement income. In this episode, Andrew McNair walks through: How your FERS pension changes the equation How Social Security fits in What the 4 percent rule really means How to calculate retirement income from $300K The risks of...

Federal employees have some of the best retirement benefits available, but only if you know how to use them correctly. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair walks through how to maximize your FERS benefits in 2026 by coordinating the five pillars of your federal retirement: your pension , TSP , Social Security , Special Retirement Supplement , and health and insurance benefi...

If you’re a federal employee or retiree, understanding how and when to withdraw from your TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) can make a significant difference in your retirement outcome. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of Swan Capital, breaks down the rules, strategies, and common mistakes around TSP withdrawals that federal employees need to avoid. You’ll learn: When you can actually start taking...

If you’re a federal employee or retiree covered under FERS or CSRS , where you live in retirement can make a six-figure difference over time. In this episode, Andrew McNair , founder of SWAN Capital, breaks down which states do not tax federal pensions a nd why taxes alone should never be the only factor when deciding where to retire. You’ll learn: Which states currently do not tax FERS and CSRS p...

Federal employees work hard for their retirement, but simple TSP mistakes can quietly cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital, walks through the seven most common TSP mistakes federal employees make and how to avoid them. Whether you’re covered under FERS or CSRS , this episode will help you: Understand why default TSP settings m...

Market volatility can make even the most disciplined federal employee second-guess their TSP strategy.    If you panicked and moved your money into the G Fund or F Fund, you’re not alone — and you’re not beyond recovery.    In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital and son of a CSRS employee, explains what to do after the panic move. You’ll learn why trying to time the market often b...