Rayna Retirement

Retirement isn't a single event—it's a series of milestones that continue long after your last day on the job. In this episode, Rayna Reyes walks through the major checkpoints every federal employee can expect during retirement planning. From preparing your retirement application and choosing survivor benefits to navigating TSP decisions, interim pension payments, Social Security, Medicare, and Re...

If you're a federal employee planning to retire before age 62, one of the most valuable retirement benefits you have may also be one of the least understood. In this episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down the FERS Special Retirement Supplement —who qualifies, how it's calculated, how long it lasts, and what can cause it to be reduced. She also explains the Social Security earnings test, what counts as e...

Could one of the most valuable benefits in your federal career also be one of the most misunderstood? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains why FEGLI Basic Life Insurance is often worth keeping—even if you're considering purchasing private life insurance. She breaks down what Basic coverage costs while you're working, the retirement options available after age 65, and why keep...

Planning your federal retirement can feel a lot like going through a fast-food drive-thru: once you pull away, changing your order isn't always easy. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains why slowing down before retirement can save you from costly mistakes later. She walks through the key elections that deserve a second look, the essential documents every federal employee shou...

You've spent years building your retirement savings—but do you have a plan for taking that money out efficiently? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains how federal income tax brackets work and why understanding them can help retirees make smarter withdrawal decisions from accounts such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. Rayna...

June is Annuity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to take a closer look at one of the most misunderstood retirement planning tools. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down two of the most important concepts inside fixed indexed annuities: caps and participation rates . Learn how these features affect your potential earnings, how fixed indexed annuities differ from v...

Most federal employees spend years building their Thrift Savings Plan—but few understand what happens when that money is passed on to the next generation. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explores one of the most overlooked aspects of federal retirement planning: the TSP inheritance rules. While the TSP can be an excellent retirement savings vehicle, its beneficiary rules can creat...

You retired. You submitted the paperwork. Now you're waiting. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains what really happens after federal and postal employees retire and their paperwork moves from Human Resources to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you're wondering why your retirement hasn't been finalized yet, what interim payments mean, or whether your situation is e...

Retirement paperwork can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down the Online Retirement Application (ORA) system that federal and postal employees use to submit their retirement paperwork. From gaining access through Human Resources to navigating login.gov and uploading critical documents, Rayna walks listeners through what to expe...

Retirement. Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Ryan Potter about the growing issue of hearing loss among first responders and why protecting hearing health is so important in high-pressure emergency situations. Dr. Potter explains that long-term noise exposure impacts an estimated 80% of law enforcement officers, 40% of firefighters, and 45% of EMS providers, creating challenges that can affect...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most misunderstood features of the Thrift Savings Plan: TSP loans. Rayna explains how federal and postal employees can borrow from their own TSP accounts using general purpose loans, residential loans, and hardship withdrawals — while also outlining the potential risks, repayment rules, and tax implications involved. She disc...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most important concepts in federal retirement planning: maximizing your TSP contributions. Using her signature relatable analogies and practical guidance, Rayna explains why contributing at least 5% to your TSP is critical to receiving the full government match — and why that “magic number” could significantly impact your ret...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down the unique retirement rules and benefits available to federal “special category” employees — including law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents, and Bureau of Prisons employees. Rayna explains how special category retirement differs from traditional FERS retirement, including earlier retireme...

May is Military appreciation month, a time to honor the men and women who serve and have served our great nation…And while we honor those associated with the military, members and veterans are fighting a different battle: finances, and purpose. Key Points Covered: Finding a purpose -  For many who leave the military, the biggest challenge isn’t just money — it’s finding purpose in a new civilian w...

When it comes to retirement savings, one of the biggest questions is simple—but powerful: Do you pay taxes now, or later? In this episode, Rayna breaks down the differences between traditional and Roth retirement accounts , including how they’re taxed, how they grow, and how to decide which strategy makes sense for you. She also dives into how the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) allows federal employees...

If you’re a military retiree, veteran, or federal employee, your life insurance options don’t end when your career does—but the costs can change dramatically. In this episode, Rayna breaks down the key differences between Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) , including how premiums increase over time and what that means for your retirement budget....

Rayna breaks down the recently passed federal tax legislation—often referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill”—and what it really means for your retirement. From increases to the standard deduction to new tax breaks for retirees over 65, this episode highlights key updates that could directly impact your income, Social Security benefits, and overall financial strategy. You’ll also learn about lesser-...

Not all federal retirements are created equal—and in this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes dives into the unique world of “special category” employees. If you’re in law enforcement, firefighting, Border Patrol, Bureau of Prisons, or another high-stress federal role, your retirement benefits come with powerful advantages—but also important rules you need to understand. Rayna breaks down ea...

Your retirement strategy shouldn’t stay the same forever—and in this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains why your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) should evolve right along with you. Rayna breaks down the five core TSP funds and introduces the often-overlooked Lifecycle (L) funds, designed to automatically adjust your investment mix over time. From aggressive growth in your early years to...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes walks federal retirees through one of the most important tools in retirement: the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website. From accessing your annuity statements and tax documents to updating your banking information and verifying life insurance coverage, Rayna explains how to navigate the system with confidence—even if you’re not tech-savvy....

Rayna Reyes is joined by a special guest—retired Navy veteran Rhonda—for a Many federal employees wonder how retirement planning meetings can be offered at no cost. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains how the advisory process works, why educational consultations are often complimentary, and how advisors may be compensated when helping clients implement suitable strategies. R...

Many federal employees have already taken steps toward retirement planning—but are those old plans still serving you today? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains why reviewing your existing financial products and retirement strategies is one of the smartest moves you can make. From annuities and insurance products to investments and income planning tools, Rayna discusses how c...

Taxes don’t stop in retirement—but where you live can make a major difference. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down how taxes affect federal employees before and after retirement, including what comes out of your paycheck now, what may be taxed later, and how state tax laws can impact your pension and TSP withdrawals. Rayna also explores which states may offer tax advantag...

Rayna Reyes is joined by a special guest—retired Navy veteran Rhonda—for a powerful conversation about preparing for life after military service. Drawing from real-world experience, Rhonda shares key lessons from her 20-year career and what service members should know before transitioning into retirement. This episode highlights the importance of preparation, from organizing critical documents lik...

Rayna Reyes tackles a common—and often confusing—question: can you have both VA benefits and Medicare at the same time? The short answer is yes, but the real value lies in understanding how these systems work together. In this episode, Rayna explains the key differences between VA benefits, Medicare, and other health coverage options like FEHB and TRICARE. She walks through eligibility scenarios,...