Andrew McNair

Federal Benefits Explained

Business EN ↓ 30 episodes

Federal Benefits Explained is a podcast designed to help federal employees make sense of their retirement benefits with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital and son of a CSRS employee, the show breaks down complex topics like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), federal retirement timelines, survivor benefits, taxes, and income planning — without jargon or hype. Each episode focuses on the real decisions federal employees face as they approach retirement, offering practical education, thoughtful strategy, and long-term perspective. The goal isn’t quick tips or r...

Author

Andrew McNair

Episodes

Getting the Most from Your Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) 31.12.2025 16:30

Federal Employees: FEGLI may be one of your most valuable benefits, or one of your most misunderstood. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair walks you through how Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) really works and how to make smarter decisions for your family, your income plan, and your retirement. You’ll learn: What FEGLI is (and what it is not) How Ba...

Four Times You Should Avoid the Roth TSP (Federal Employees) 31.12.2025 15:23

The Roth TSP is powerful, but it’s not always the right move. In this episode, Andrew McNair explains four times federal employees should seriously reconsider contributing to a Roth TSP, even though he personally loves Roth strategies. Covered in this episode: High-income years and why Roth can backfire Charitable giving and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) Peak earning years bef...

Can You Move Your IRA or 401(k) Into the TSP? A Federal Employee Guide 31.12.2025 12:35

Can you move an old 401(k), 403(b), or IRA into the Thrift Savings Plan? And more importantly, should you? In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital and son of a CSRS employee, walks federal employees through exactly how TSP rollovers work without the jargon or guesswork. You’ll learn: Which retirement accounts can be moved into the TSP Why Roth IRAs cannot be transferred ...

Best L Fund for You? How Federal Employees Should Choose the Right TSP Lifecycle Fund 31.12.2025 10:02

Choosing the right TSP L Fund can feel overwhelming especially when you see 11 different lifecycle funds and aren’t sure which one actually fits your retirement goals. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down how TSP L Funds (Lifecycle Funds) really work, the advantages and drawbacks of using them, and how federal employees can decide whether an L Fund — or a cus...

How Federal Employees Can Double Their TSP (Without Risky Moves) 31.12.2025 13:41

You don’t need formulas, market timing, or risky bets to grow your Thrift Savings Plan. In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down how federal employees can double their TSP using three controllable factors: asset allocation, contributions, and time. You’ll learn why going all-in on one fund can backfire, how contribution strategy matters just as much as returns, and why staying ahead of inflat...