Rayna Retirement

Rayna Reyes breaks down the first—and most important—step in the military buyback process for federal employees. For those who have served in the military, buying back that time can significantly increase a future pension—but many don’t know where to start. In this episode, Rayna simplifies the process by walking through how to request your estimated military earnings, what forms you’ll need (incl...

Rayna Reyes delivers an engaging and eye-opening discussion on one of the most valuable—but often overlooked—retirement strategies for federal employees: military buyback. Through a real client story, Rayna illustrates just how powerful this strategy can be. After discovering that a federal employee had 11 years of prior military service that had not been bought back, she helped initiate the proce...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most commonly misunderstood federal benefits: FEGLI family coverage (Option C). Using her signature relatable style, Rayna explains exactly who is covered under this plan—spouses and dependent children—and when that coverage ends. She highlights a key detail many federal employees overlook: children age out of FEGLI coverage...

In this special bonus episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes addresses breaking news impacting postal employees and federal workers across the country: the temporary suspension of U.S. Postal Service pension payments. Rayna explains what’s actually happening, why this has occurred before, and—most importantly—why current and future retirees should not panic. Drawing on historical precedent and...

Happy "America Saves Week!" Guest : Shikha Narula, Head of Consumer Deposit Products at Bank of America Key Takeaways from the Interview: Saving remains a priority—but it’s challenging: ~52% of Americans say saving is a top priority ~72% say inflation and cost of living are impacting finances Automation is one of the easiest wins: Tools like debit round-ups (e.g., “Keep the Change”) Recurring auto...

Divorce can be complicated—but when federal retirement benefits are involved, the stakes get even higher. In this episode, Rayna Reyes walks through the three biggest retirement-related issues you need to understand during a divorce: pension division, survivor benefits, and splitting retirement accounts like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). She explains how court orders like QDROs determine what a f...

Health insurance is one of the biggest concerns for federal employees approaching retirement—but what if the process is simpler than you think? In this episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down what really happens to your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) when you retire. From the “5-year rule” to how premiums are handled, Rayna explains why many retirees don’t actually need to take any action at al...

April is National Financial Literacy Month. It started back in the early 2000s when Congress realized too many Americans were leaving school without the first clue about how to manage a paycheck, a credit card, or a financial future.  Fast-forward to 2026, and the problem hasn’t gone away. Nearly half of U.S. adults still give themselves a C-minus or worse on money knowledge… Key Points Covered: R...

With Easter around the corner, it's the perfect time to talk about planning, milestones, and the dates that matter in our lives. In this heartwarming holiday special, Rayna Reyes welcomes a very special guest—her colleague Dr. Dr. Rhonda, a retired Navy veteran who has an unforgettable Easter birthday story that perfectly illustrates why dates matter in retirement planning too. An Easter Birthday...

Don't go rogue on Medicare! In Episode 81 of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most confusing aspects of federal retirement: Medicare enrollment and how it works with your federal or postal health benefits. Using her signature straightforward style, Rayna explains the critical differences between what postal employees MUST do versus what federal employees have the flexibili...

In this urgent bonus episode recorded on March 27, 2026, Rayna Reyes addresses the breaking news about TSA funding and the Department of Homeland Security bill moving through Congress. If you're planning to travel or work in federal service, this is critical information you need to hear. What's Covered: Senate passage of the DHS funding bill and President Trump's commitment to sign Real impact on...

You've heard about the "three-legged stool" of FERS retirement—pension, Social Security, and TSP—but what happens when two of those legs don't provide enough monthly income to cover your expenses? In this essential episode, Rayna Reyes tackles one of the biggest challenges federal retirees face: income gaps. Before you make any decisions about your TSP, Rayna explains why you must first calculate...

Thinking about retirement but worried about the transition from your agency to OPM? In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down exactly what happens after you submit your retirement paperwork—and how to avoid common delays that could impact your payments. You'll learn: ✓ The 4 critical steps to complete before retiring ✓ What causes payment delays (court orders, special categ...

Remember Joe Friday from Dragnet? "Just the facts, ma'am!" Well, that's exactly what you're getting in this information-packed episode of Rayna Retirement. We're tackling the most frequently asked questions about federal retirement head-on, with clear, practical answers you can use. In this FAQ-style episode, we cover the questions that keep federal employees up at night: How is my pension actuall...

In this heartfelt episode, Rayna tackles a difficult but essential topic: preparing your spouse for what happens if something happens to you. Drawing from years of experience meeting with federal employees and their families, she explains why these conversations aren't morbid—they're gifts of love and security. Learn about survivor benefits, TSP beneficiary rules, Social Security continuation, mil...

Spring has arrived, and while your home gets its annual refresh, your finances might be collecting their own quiet clutter… First, clean up your accounts - If your money is scattered across multiple banks, and brokerage firms, it can feel chaotic. Next, declutter your debt - Multiple credit cards, loans with varying interest rates, and different due dates can create unnecessary pressure. Organize...

Nobody wants to think about death, but federal employees need to understand how survivor benefits work—because timing can mean tens of thousands of dollars for your family. Rayna Reyes addresses the uncomfortable question: what happens if a federal employee passes away while still working versus after retirement? In this essential episode, Rayna covers: • The Basic Employee Death Benefit: Half you...

If you're a federal employee planning to leave your TSP to your adult children, you need to hear this. Rayna Reyes exposes a little-known TSP rule that could cost your beneficiaries thousands—or even tens of thousands—in unnecessary taxes. In this critical episode, Rayna reveals: • The TSP "lump sum trap" for non-spouse beneficiaries • Why your spouse is protected but your kids aren't • Real tax i...

Should you pay off all your debt before retirement? The answer might surprise you. In this candid episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down the difference between good debt and bad debt, and shares strategic approaches to managing both as you approach retirement. What You'll Learn: • Why TSP loans (under 4.5% interest in 2026) can be smarter than traditional bank loans • The tax trap of TSP withdrawals—how...

Should you contribute to Traditional or Roth TSP? Federal employees face this critical decision every pay period, and the choice you make today impacts your retirement income for decades. In this essential episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down: • The fundamental difference between Traditional and Roth TSP contributions • Why you don't have to choose just one—tax diversification strategies • How current...

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace faster than ever — and for older workers, that shift can feel both exciting and intimidating. Retirement. Radio ’s Matt McClure sits down with Carly Roszkowski, VP of Financial Resilience Programming at AARP, to unpack how AI is reshaping the job market and what it means for workers over 50. They explore new research showing that many older wor...

Are you a federal employee sitting on hundreds (or thousands) of sick leave hours? Before you carry that time into retirement, Rayna Reyes has critical information that could impact your financial future. In this eye-opening episode, Rayna covers: Why burning sick leave before retirement puts more money in your pocket The 100% vs 1% calculation that changes everything A cautionary tale about sick...

Are new early retirement opportunities heading your way in 2026? In this essential episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down the latest VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) offers rolling out to federal employees across various agencies. What You'll Learn: VERA eligibility requirements: Age 50+ with 20 years of service, OR any age with 25+ years of service The difference between VERA and DSR (Discon...

Recession talk is back for 2026—it may not be in every headline, but the odds aren’t at zero percent. You need to be prepared for the scenario of a possible recession. Key Points Covered: Emergency Funds --- Start by building (or topping off) an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses. Picking the Right Budgeting System – Whether old or new, using a budgeting system can h...

Rayna Reyes breaks down complex federal retirement concepts using simple, real-world analogies designed to make even confusing financial topics easy to understand. In this episode, she walks listeners through the foundational “three-legged stool” of retirement for federal employees — pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan — and explains how each piece works together to support long-...