For Your Benefit

February 26, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes back our original program guests Tammy Flanagan, NITP Senior Benefits Director, Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, Marc Levine, Esquire, and Tom O’Rourke, Counsel. This is our final episode. We have enjoyed our weekly conversations for the past 18 years. Thank you to our loyal listeners for tuning in as we discussed topics ranging from ben...

February 12, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire. We will discuss how your assets pass to your loved ones: Through joint ownership of land; Through joint ownership of bank and brokerage accounts; Through government beneficiary forms (including new rules for the TSP); and Through non-government beneficiary forms, and how often they may differ from each oth...

February 5, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®. The new year is a great time to review: Investment allocations and rebalancing needs Cash flow and budgeting for the new year Retirement contributions, plans and projections Insurance coverage, needs and premium changes For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com Learn more ab...

January 29, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA®, welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. Have you ever considered how much additional income your loved ones might need if you were suddenly gone? Have you planned their survivor benefits? Today’s program will focus on answering these questions: What types of Federal survivor benefits would go to your loved ones if you pass...

January 8, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Herb Casey, Federal Benefits Specialist. Topics include: Income COLA for FERS and CSRS retirees Salary pay raises & new locality rates Social Security Maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax COLA Earning limitations FEHB Insurances Increased premiums 12 fewer plans Medicare Rising premiums for Medicare Expansion...

November 27, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, and Kaitlin Schaeffer Yardley, CFP®. Karen and Kaitlin will talk about: The new and improved 529 plans Other strategies for meeting education costs Educating children about money For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights rese...

October 30, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire, to talk about Health Care Directives. What is a Health Care Directive (and is it different from a Health Care Power of Attorney)? What should l look for in my Health Care Agent? Why an advocate matters. What is the difference between my Health Care Directive and a Do Not Resuscitate? What is MOLST? Resources fo...

October 16, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®.  Our guest today will talk about cash flow planning and debt payoff strategies for Federal employees and retirees. How much of an emergency fund do you need? How should you invest these assets? Which debt should you pay off first? What is the impact of higher interest rates on debt in general? Should you pay down...

October 2, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, welcome Kay Bransford, Daily Money Manager, Professional Financial Advocate & Fiduciary, MemoryBanc. We never know what life will bring. Too often spouses, partners, family, and friends are unable to help because they do not have the information they need. If you are unable to manage the day-to-day bill pay...

September 25, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tom O’Rourke, Counsel. On today’s program, Tom will discuss how Federal employees can use their Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program as a tax reduction tool. Specifically, how all FEHB premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses can be paid on a pre-tax basis. Tom will also talk about how a Health Savings Account (HSA)...

August 14, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Karen Schaeffer, CFP® and Megan Schaeffer, Estate Planning Attorney. In honor of National Make a Will Month, Karen and Megan will talk about: Essential documents for everyone. How to get the process started. What happens when the documents aren’t in place. Why every 18-year-old should have at least health care documents. How and when...

August 7, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes John Jilek, CFP®. The Basics: Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA The Advanced: Roth TSP vs. Pre-Tax TSP Tax law changes that will affect your decisions The decision to not have some tax-free Roth money available in retirement could be a significant issue in your spending years Impact of the SECURE Act and SECURE Act 2.0 on beneficiaries of...

July 24, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tammy Flanagan, Senior Benefits Director at NITP. It seems that everyone has an opinion when it comes to retirement decisions. Many of these opinions are stated as though they’re facts. Some of the questions from Federal employees about retirement center around relatively straightforward facts in law or policy. Here are some of the mos...

July 17, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Justin Dean, CFP®. Justin will share tips to help ensure your investments are working consistently hard for you even when you are away on summer travel. Know your destination Avoid distractions and accidents Check your progress Send in a question: Email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network....

May 22, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Herb Casey, Transition and Federal Benefits Specialist. There are many things to consider when making the decision to transition to retirement. Most people plan for retirement without thinking about how family can impact the process.  How will your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and extended family affect your retir...

April 24, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Joel Cundick, CFP®. On today’s program, Joel will talk about what to do after the sudden death of a spouse, parent, or other family member.  He will discuss the importance of having finances in order in advance and answer the questions: What information can you gather now to minimize the difficulty of a possible death of a spouse? Wha...

March 27, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes David Santana, Health Insurance Specialist from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Understand your Medicare coverage choices to maximize your benefits Evaluate the cost of enrolling in Medicare and premium payments Summarize the choices to make an informed Medicare enrollment decision Learn about recent laws that affect t...

March 6, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes John Jilek, CFP®. There is a 100 percent chance we will all pass away some day. Life insurance, for the majority of us, can be an important vehicle to provide financial security for those left behind. What are the milestones of life insurance for Federal Employees? Why you should think of life insurance as death insurance. Does life in...

February 27, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP® to talk about questions to ask yourself before setting a retirement date. Have you saved enough for retirement? What investment changes should you consider? What can derail your retirement plans? For questions or comments, email us in advance at ForYourBenefit@nitpinc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

February 6, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA®, welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. Have you ever considered how much additional income your loved ones might need if you were suddenly gone? Have you planned their survivor benefits? Today’s program will focus on answering these questions: What types of Federal survivor benefits would go to your loved ones if you pass...

Want to make the most of the new year? Guest Karen Schaeffer, CFP® will talk about how to keep those New Year’s resolutions about money. Whether it’s paying off debt, buying a house, staying ahead of inflation, or having more confidence about your investments, Karen will share the tips financial planners give their clients. January is also a great time to make sure your TSP is allocated correctly....