Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast

Are TikTok "experts" and viral retirement hacks influencing your Social Security decisions? In today's episode,  Floyd Shilanski tackles one of the biggest dangers he sees in federal retirement planning: relying on trends, reels, and generic advice for one of the most important financial decisions of your life. https://zurl.co/JL4Ac

Learn the Top 5 Pitfalls Federal Employees Must Avoid in 2026, so you can retire with confidence and keep more of the benefits you've worked so hard for. In this episode of All About FERS, John Raleigh, CFP®, breaks down the biggest mistakes federal employees make when planning for retirement, many of which don't show up until it's too late.

Year-end is one of the most strategic times for Federal Employees to review their financial picture, retirement timeline, and tax exposure. In this episode, Micah Shilanski, CFP®, and John Raleigh, CFP®, walk you through the essential steps you should take before December 31st to stay on track and avoid costly mistakes in the new year. As Micah says, "Small decisions at year-end can produce big re...

Most federal employees are surprised to learn that up to 85% of their Social Security benefits may be taxable in retirement. In this episode, Floyd Shilanski explains how Social Security taxation really works, what counts as "provisional income," and why proper planning is essential to avoid unexpected tax bills. This is a critical part of federal retirement tax planning, and the earlier you under...

Most federal employees never take advantage of one of the best tax-saving tools available to them: the Health Savings Account (HSA). In today's episode, Christian breaks down why HSAs are one of the most powerful and underutilized benefits in the FEHB system.

Have you ever wondered how to avoid running out of money in retirement? In this episode of All About FERS, Certified Financial Planner™ John Raleigh breaks down practical withdrawal strategies for your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) so you can enjoy retirement without worrying about outliving your savings.

In this episode of Plan Your Federal Retirement, Jamie C. Shilanski, RFC®, talks about one of the most stressful situations federal employees face: a furlough. Whether this is your first or fifth time experiencing one, Jamie breaks down practical, real-world strategies to help you stay financially stable, protect your benefits, and make smart decisions while waiting for Washington to get back to w...

Description For many federal employees, deciding when to retire is one of the biggest financial and emotional choices you will ever face. In this All About FERS episode, Christian breaks down both the financial math and emotional reality of delaying retirement by just one year.    

Thinking about taking a VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) offer? Before you decide, make sure you understand the benefits and pitfalls that come with it. In this episode, John breaks down: ✅ What VERA early retirement really means ✅ Who qualifies - and when it's offered ✅ The big advantages, like keeping your FEHB and avoiding layoffs ✅ The hidden traps, like lower pensions, delayed...

Ever wonder what questions other federal employees are asking as they plan for retirement? In this special episode, we're taking you inside our recent in-person workshop, where we spent the day with federal employees diving deep into their benefits, tax planning, and retirement strategies. From understanding the 2026 TSP Roth conversion changes to life insurance math, Social Security surprises, an...

Did you know that a trust could be taxed at up to 40%? If your trust isn't set up correctly, you could unintentionally send nearly half your estate to the IRS. That is why in this episode, Micah breaks down how inherited TSPs and IRAs are taxed when a trust is listed as the beneficiary and why so many estate plans fail to consider income taxes, not just estate taxes. https://zurl.co/14gpQ

When is the best time to retire from the federal government? Choosing your retirement date isn't just about flipping a calendar; it can determine how much you actually take home. In this All About FERS episode, Christian breaks down: ✅ The most strategic retirement dates (and why they matter) ✅ How your annual leave payout could add tens of thousands to your final paycheck ✅ The tax and TSP con...

Retirement isn't just about leaving your job. It's about maintaining your security, dignity, and lifestyle for decades. In this episode of All About FERS, John breaks down the looming retirement crisis facing federal employees. Discover what past generations got wrong about retirement, why planning for just 10 years is no longer enough, and how you can build a strategy that protects your lifestyle...

When it comes to retirement planning, one of the biggest questions federal employees face is: How should I allocate my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to make sure I don't run out of money? The TSP is a powerful tool for building wealth and creating income security in retirement. With just five core funds (plus Lifecycle Funds that mix them), your options may seem limited, but how you allocate between t...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has officially reshaped the tax landscape, and if you're a federal employee or retiree, the changes matter more than you think. That's why in this All About FERS episode, Christian breaks down the most important updates, including: Why tax brackets aren't going up in 2026 (good news for your retirement plan!) The new Senior Bonus Deduction and how it could sa...

It's one of the most common and most confusing questions out there: Should you take Social Security at 62, wait until full retirement age, or hold off until 70? In this All About FERS episode, Floyd Shilanski, with his 50+ years of financial advising experience, breaks down the pros, cons, and math behind claiming Social Security early vs. delaying.

When it comes to money, the emotional impact is often overlooked, but it can 'make or break' a family's financial future. In this episode, Micah and John discuss how inheritances, sudden windfalls, and poorly managed gifts can end up causing more harm than good, especially for children who aren't financially prepared. With decades of combined experience, Micah and John reveal the pitfalls they've...

Is there a cap on how much annual leave you can cash out when you retire? In this episode of Federal Fact Check, Micah answers a critical question for federal employees: What happens to unused annual leave and sick leave at retirement? You'll learn:  ✅ How much annual leave can you carry forward and cash out  ✅ What makes sick leave different, and how it increases your pension  ✅ Rare cases whe...

Are TSP Lifecycle (L) Funds the set-it-and-forget-it solution they promise to be? Or could they actually be playing it too safe, too soon? In this episode of All About FERS, Christian takes a closer look at how the L Funds inside the Thrift Savings Plan work, including the L 2050, L 2040, and L 2030 funds. He breaks down: How the G, F, C, S, and I funds are allocated Why Lifecycle Funds automatica...

Are you a federal employee who also served in the military? Did you know you can buy back your military time to boost your FERS pension and even retire earlier? In this episode of All About FERS,  John walks you through everything you need to know about military buyback, including:  ✅ What buying back military time really means  ✅ How the cost is calculated (and why timing matters)  ✅ The power...

Healthcare is one of the most important, and often most confusing, parts of retirement. For federal employees, the combination of Medicare and FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) adds unique rules, costs, and opportunities. In this episode of Plan Your Federal Retirement, Micah and John break down the myths, penalties, and strategies you need to know. From eligibility requirements to coordina...

Can you buy back your military time and still keep your military retirement pay? 🤔 That's exactly what Walt, a retired Air Force Veteran and combat-injured, wanted to know. In this episode of the FERS Federal Fact Check, Micah will help you understand: The common rule for military buyback and retirement pay The exception for combat-related disabilities Why documentation is absolutely critical Ste...

Social Security and Medicare are two of the most important benefits you'll rely on in retirement, but they don't always start at the same time, and the rules can get confusing. In this episode, Christian Sakamoto answers a listener's question, and he will walk you through: When you can claim Social Security vs. when you're eligible for Medicare Whether Medicare enrollment happens automatically How...

Are you approaching retirement and wondering how Medicare fits in with your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)? You're not alone! In this episode of All About FERS, John breaks down the step-by-step process of enrolling in Medicare as a federal employee. Tune in and learn: ✅ When to enroll in Medicare and how to avoid costly penalties ✅ How Medicare coordinates with your FEHB coverage ✅ W...

Social Security is one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning. For federal employees and their families, it's not about whether to take it early or late; it's about how to coordinate Social Security with your pension, TSP, survivor benefits, and taxes. In this episode, Micah and advisor John share real-life client experiences and dive into: The Pros and Cons of Claiming at 62 vs. W...