Disclaimer

Effective Date: April 20, 2024  |  Last Updated: March 2, 2026

We do not guarantee any specific investment results, returns, or outcomes. Market conditions fluctuate and are beyond our control. Past performance of investments is not indicative of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. Following our recommendations does not guarantee you will achieve your financial goals.

We do not guarantee the accuracy of federal benefit calculations or projections. Federal benefit programs (FERS, CSRS, TSP, Social Security) are subject to changes in law and regulation, policy modifications by Congress or federal agencies, administrative errors by OPM, TSP, or SSA, and individual eligibility factors we may not be aware of.

You must verify all benefit information with official government sources before making final decisions: OPM.gov for FERS/CSRS pension information, TSP.gov for Thrift Savings Plan details, and SSA.gov for Social Security benefits.

Our analysis and recommendations are based on our understanding of federal benefit programs, but they do not constitute official government guidance. You should always verify benefit information with official government sources before making final decisions.

Information provided on our website, blog, resources, and downloadable materials is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment advice tailored to your situation, a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security, legal or tax advice, official government guidance on federal benefits, or a guarantee of any particular result.

Educational content is general in nature. Only advice provided through a formal engagement with a signed agreement constitutes personalized financial advice.

We provide financial planning and advisory services only. We do not provide legal advice, tax preparation or filing services, accounting services, or insurance sales. When appropriate, we may recommend or refer you to qualified professionals in these areas, but we are not responsible for the services they provide.

• Legal matters: Estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney — consult an attorney
• Tax matters: Tax preparation, filing, specific tax advice — consult a CPA or enrolled agent
• Insurance purchases: Policy applications, underwriting, claims — work directly with insurance carriers or licensed agents

Our analysis and recommendations are based entirely on the information you provide to us. You are responsible for providing complete, accurate, and truthful information, disclosing all relevant financial accounts and obligations, informing us of changes to your employment or financial circumstances, and reviewing all documents for accuracy. We cannot account for information you do not disclose, circumstances that change after our engagement, errors in documents provided by third parties, or future events we cannot predict.

Financial planning requires assumptions about investment returns, inflation rates, tax rates, federal benefit rules, life expectancy, and income and expenses. These assumptions may prove incorrect. Actual results may differ materially from projections.

Federal employee benefits are governed by complex regulations that change over time. Rules subject to change include FERS and CSRS pension calculations, TSP contribution limits and withdrawal rules, Social Security eligibility and benefit calculations, FEGLI coverage options and premium rates, survivor benefit rules, and federal tax laws affecting retirement accounts.

We strive to provide current information, but regulations may change after we provide advice, Congressional action may modify benefit programs, and new court decisions may affect benefit calculations. You are responsible for verifying that information remains current before implementing our recommendations.

All final decisions regarding your finances are yours alone. We provide recommendations and analysis, but you retain full control over when to retire, which benefits to claim and when, how to allocate your TSP, whether to purchase insurance, and any other financial decisions.

Before implementing any recommendation, carefully consider your personal financial situation, assess your risk tolerance, verify information with official sources, consult other professionals as appropriate, and ask us questions if anything is unclear. Do not implement recommendations you do not fully understand.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Octus Financial's total liability to you for any claims arising from our services is limited to the amount of fees you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim. We are not liable for losses resulting from market fluctuations, changes in federal benefit rules or tax laws, government errors in benefit calculations, delays or mistakes by third-party service providers, your failure to provide complete or accurate information, or events beyond our control.

Planning and analysis services are provided on a fee-based basis. When we recommend insurance or annuity products, those products may carry commissions paid by the product carrier. All material conflicts of interest are disclosed to you prior to any recommendation and in our Form ADV Part 2A, which is available upon request.

Octus Financial operates as a fiduciary-minded financial advisory firm committed to acting in your best interest. Our Form ADV Part 2A contains additional information about our services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history. You have the right to receive this document before or at the time you engage our services. Request a copy at mia@octusfinancial.com.

We provide services virtually via video conference, phone, email, and secure file sharing. Technology limitations including internet connectivity issues, software outages, and electronic communications may affect service delivery. We are not liable for technology failures beyond our control. Do not send sensitive information via unsecured email unless we have established a secure communication method.

We may update this Disclaimer periodically. Updates will be posted on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Disclaimer.