Rayna Retirement

In this emotional and insightful episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes shares a true story that proves just how powerful a single financial review can be. When one federal employee nearly retired without buying back his 12 years of military service, Rayna’s timely guidance changed everything — not only boosting his pension by nearly $1,000 a month , but also increasing his spouse’s surviv...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down the new rules for catch-up contributions in 401(k) and TSP accounts starting in 2026 . If you’re over 50, you’ve likely heard of the “catch-up” provision that lets you contribute extra toward retirement — but big changes are coming. Rayna explains what those new income thresholds mean, how high earners will see their catch-up contr...

Think your income only matters for taxes? Think again. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes , co-founder of American Federal Benefits Consultants , explains how your income from two years ago determines how much you’ll pay for Medicare Part B — and what you can do to plan ahead.  Rayna breaks down how IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) works, the income thresholds f...

It’s that time of year again — Medicare open enrollment! In this episode, host Rayna Reyes , co-founder of American Federal Benefits Consultants , helps listeners make sense of the annual mail flood and plan changes that arrive each fall. Rayna breaks down what to look for when reviewing your coverage for 2026, including: How Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans differ from traditional Medicare The p...

It’s that time of year again— open enrollment season for federal employees and postal workers! In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes takes a fun but practical look at one of the most important decisions you’ll make each year: choosing your health insurance plan . With her trademark humor (“What do you think I’m doing this for—my health?”), Rayna explains what you need to know before ma...

Are you making the most of your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) ? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down exactly how much you should be contributing to your TSP—so you’re not leaving free money on the table.  Rayna explains: Why 5% is the minimum you should contribute to get your full government match How to calculate your per-pay-period contribution to hit your yearly maximum ‍ W...

Remember when the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) used to be full of restrictions? Those days are gone—thanks to the TSP Modernization Act. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes dives into what the law changed, how it benefits federal employees, and what smart planning looks like today. From multiple partial withdrawals to flexible installment payments and separate Roth access, Rayna breaks...

Rolling over your TSP or other retirement plan can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down the do’s and don’ts of rollovers in plain English. She explains how to move your money safely, avoid unnecessary taxes, and understand what Uncle Sam is really waiting for when it comes to your retirement savings. You’ll also hear how different IR...

Pensions are disappearing, 401(k)s are everywhere, and federal employees often face confusing decisions about lifetime income. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains the critical difference between annuitization and other lifetime income strategies that let you keep access to your retirement savings.  Rayna breaks down what happens when you annuitize your balance—why it may lea...

Do you know the difference between postponed retirement and deferred retirement under the federal benefits system? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes clears up one of the most confusing topics for federal employees.  Rayna explains what happens when you leave federal service before full eligibility, how your pension and benefits are affected, and why choosing to postpone instead of...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes tackles one of the most valuable—but often overlooked—benefits for federal and postal employees with prior military service: buying back your military time . Rayna breaks down the process step by step: how to apply for VA disability, why it matters, what “military buyback” really means, and how it can dramatically increase your federal pension...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of federal retirement planning: unused sick leave. Using humor, real-world stories, and practical math, Rayna explains why federal and postal employees may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table by holding on to their sick leave instead of using it strategically. From specialist appointment...

They say the little things add up—and when it comes to your money, that couldn’t be more true. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes shares practical budgeting and savings strategies that help you cut costs, reduce debt, and free up cash for what really matters in retirement.  From brewing your coffee at home to eliminating recurring fees, from rethinking your cell phone bill to levera...

This week on Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes takes a step outside the world of federal benefits to focus on a topic that affects many federal families— small business ownership and retirement planning .  Whether you’re self-employed, married to a federal employee, or planning to start a business after retirement, Rayna breaks down options like solo 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, Roth IRAs, and cafeteria plans...

What happens to your TSP or 401(k) when you retire? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes takes a lighthearted but practical approach to a serious topic—Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), early retirement programs, and what to do when outside 401(k)s send you unexpected tax surprises. Along the way, Rayna shares memorable stories, from the “Bad Boys” theme song in Best Buy to feder...

Are you a federal employee wondering about the differences between CSRS and FERS retirement systems? In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes uses her signature clarity (and a memorable Gatorade analogy!) to explain how pensions are funded, what “41/11” really means, and why CSRS employees may face excess contributions after decades of service. She also shares what happens when you get th...

For federal employees, retirement doesn’t mean the paperwork ends—it just changes forms. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes walks through the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Services Online system and explains how to read and understand your monthly annuity statement. From interim checks to survivor benefits, deductions for insurance, and annual cost-of-living adjustment...

When it comes to retirement, few decisions are as important as when to start taking Social Security. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down the essentials—from the basics of eligibility and the 40 quarters rule, to the “break-even” concept, disability benefits, and how waiting can impact your monthly check. Rayna explains how factors like working income, spousal support...

If you’ve been saving in the TSP or another qualified retirement plan, you know Uncle Sam has been patient—but not forever. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes explains Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) , why they matter, and how to plan so your money lasts longer and benefits both you and your loved ones.  Rayna shares creative analogies (coffee cups, Beatles songs, and even Gre...

Every fall, federal and postal employees face important decisions during open enrollment. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down how annual health plan changes impact your wallet, what to watch for in your Annual Notice of Change, and how Medicare fits into your retirement plan.  Rayna explains Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D in plain language—plus shares real client stor...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down the classic three-legged stool of federal retirement planning : your pension, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Rayna explains how each “leg” works, why balance is key, and how to decide when and how to use your TSP without draining it completely. From guaranteed monthly income streams to flexible savings, she shares...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes unpacks one of the most important—and often misunderstood—rules in federal retirement planning: the 5-year requirement for keeping your federal health insurance in retirement. Rayna explains why this rule matters, what “consecutive coverage” really means, how switching between plans impacts eligibility, and what steps you must take to ensure y...

Divorce is rarely simple—and for federal and postal employees, it can get especially complicated when pensions, survivor benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are involved. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes breaks down the rules around divorce-related financial obligations, including Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (Quadros), apportionments, and survivor benefit mand...

In this episode of Rayna Retirement , host Rayna Reyes walks you through the essential retirement forms that federal and postal employees must complete to officially begin their retirement journey. Just like needing a ticket to board a plane, your "ticket to retirement" is your completed OPM paperwork—and Rayna makes sure you know exactly what’s required, which pages matter most, and how to avoid...

If you’re a federal employee or retiree, understanding your survivor benefit options could mean the difference between financial stability and unexpected shortfalls for your spouse. In this episode of Rayna Retirement , Rayna Reyes breaks down how survivor benefits work for CSRS and FERS employees, who can receive them, and how they compare to life insurance payouts. She’ll walk you through: The e...