Yes. We specialize exclusively in federal employee retirement planning. Our expertise covers FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEGLI, and the unique benefits available to those in federal service. This focused approach means we understand the nuances of your situation far better than generalist advisors who dabble in federal benefits on the side.

Yes — we work with federal employees across 48 states. Location doesn't limit our ability to provide comprehensive planning and guidance. We conduct all consultations and ongoing planning through phone and video, making it simple to work together regardless of where you're stationed or living.

Most financial advisors treat FERS like a 401(k) and TSP like an IRA. They're not the same — and when your advisor doesn't understand the difference, you pay the price. We focus entirely on federal employees and their specific retirement landscape. We build plans around FERS calculations, TSP allocation, survivor benefits, and the interaction between Social Security and federal pensions. Our one-on-one approach ensures you understand every decision.

Bring your most recent leave and earnings statement, your TSP account statements, and any documents related to your federal service. If you have questions about FEGLI coverage, survivor benefits, or military service, those documents are helpful too. Don't worry if you don't have everything — we'll guide you through exactly what we need before your first meeting.

A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest — not their own. This means recommendations must be based on what's right for your situation, not what generates the highest commission or fee. As a fiduciary-minded advisor, we hold ourselves to this standard in every recommendation we make.

Not at all — in fact, the earlier you start, the more options you have. TSP allocation decisions, FEGLI coverage elections, military buyback deposits, and survivor benefit planning all have time-sensitive windows. Federal employees who start planning 5–10 years before retirement consistently have more flexibility and better outcomes than those who wait until the last year.

Retirement timing depends on your age, years of service, and financial goals. FERS offers flexibility, but the right timing maximizes your pension and coordinates with TSP withdrawals and Social Security. Retiring even one or two months early or late can have significant pension implications — we analyze your specific situation to find the optimal date.

Your FERS pension equals 1% of your high-3 average salary multiplied by your years of creditable service (1.1% if you retire at age 62 or older with 20+ years of service). Early retirement reductions apply if you retire before your Minimum Retirement Age. Sick leave, military buyback service, and other creditable time can all add to your calculation — which is why verification matters.

Your survivor benefit options depend on the election you make at retirement. A surviving spouse can receive up to 50% of your pension, but this election reduces your monthly benefit while you're alive. Planning these elections carefully — and coordinating them with FEGLI coverage and life insurance — ensures your family is protected without unnecessarily reducing your retirement income.

Yes, but earnings limits apply if you return to federal government employment within certain timeframes. Non-federal employment generally has no restrictions. We help you understand the rules around re-employment so you can plan accordingly and maximize your total income in retirement.

The FERS supplement bridges the income gap between early retirement and Social Security eligibility at age 62. It's calculated similarly to a Social Security benefit based on your years of FERS service. It stops when you turn 62 — which creates a significant cash flow change that requires careful planning. Earnings from post-retirement work can also reduce the supplement amount.

MRA+10 allows you to retire at your Minimum Retirement Age with at least 10 years of service — but your pension is permanently reduced by 5% for each year you're under age 62. In some cases, it makes sense to defer the pension to avoid the reduction. We model both scenarios to help you decide which approach puts more money in your pocket over your lifetime.

TSP allocation depends on your age, risk tolerance, and retirement timeline. The G Fund is safe but often grows too slowly for employees with years left before retirement. The C, S, and I funds offer higher long-term growth potential. The L funds offer automatic rebalancing. We help you choose an allocation that matches your goals, time horizon, and overall retirement income picture — not just a default.

The right choice depends on your current tax bracket versus your expected retirement tax bracket. If you expect to be in a higher bracket in retirement, Roth TSP (after-tax contributions, tax-free withdrawals) may be advantageous. If you expect a lower bracket, Traditional TSP (pre-tax contributions, taxed at withdrawal) may save you more. We model both scenarios using your specific FERS pension, Social Security, and other income sources to make the right recommendation.

TSP withdrawal timing significantly affects your taxes and overall retirement income. Coordinating TSP withdrawals with your FERS pension, Social Security, and any other income sources optimizes your tax situation each year. We create a withdrawal strategy that minimizes taxes while meeting your spending needs — and plans ahead for Required Minimum Distributions beginning at age 73 or 75 depending on your birth year.

Yes — you can roll your TSP to a Traditional or Roth IRA after leaving federal service. This offers more investment options and flexibility, but requires careful planning to avoid tax complications, loss of TSP-specific protections, and inadvertent penalties. We guide you through the rollover decision and process to make sure it actually benefits your situation.

TSP offers General Purpose loans (up to 5 years) and Residential loans (up to 15 years), both capped at $50,000. While the interest rate is favorable, TSP loans remove money from the market — meaning you lose compounding growth on that amount for the entire repayment period. The true cost of a $20,000 loan taken at age 45 with 20 years to retirement can be $60,000+ in lost growth. We model the real impact before recommending this option.

After retirement, you can leave your TSP invested, take partial or full withdrawals, set up monthly payments, purchase a TSP annuity, or roll it to an IRA. Each option has different tax and flexibility implications. We help you choose the approach that aligns with your retirement income plan, tax strategy, and long-term goals — and we plan ahead for Required Minimum Distributions so they don't catch you off guard.

FEGLI includes Basic coverage plus optional Options A, B, and C. Basic coverage equals your salary rounded up to the nearest $1,000 plus $2,000. Option A adds $10,000. Option B allows multiples of your salary (1x–5x). Option C covers your spouse and eligible children. Each option has different premium structures — and Option B premiums increase dramatically in 5-year age bands starting at age 50, making regular review essential.

This is one of the most important — and most commonly mishandled — decisions federal employees make. Option B premiums can spike to $500, $800, or even $1,000+ per month in your 60s and 70s. In many cases, private life insurance provides equivalent coverage at a fraction of the cost. We compare your FEGLI premiums against private alternatives and help you decide what makes financial sense for your family.

FEGLI coverage generally cannot be increased after retirement unless you experience a qualifying life event. This is exactly why planning your coverage elections before retirement is so important — the window to make changes closes. We help you evaluate your needs before that window shuts and ensure your elections align with your overall financial protection plan.

You can convert FEGLI to individual coverage through the conversion option — no medical exam required. This allows you to maintain life insurance without federal employment. However, conversion premiums are typically higher than private alternatives. We explain your options and help you plan the most cost-effective path to continued coverage.

FEGLI proceeds go to your designated beneficiary, bypassing probate — which is an advantage. However, your FEGLI beneficiary designation must be kept current and may not align with your will. Coordinating your FEGLI beneficiaries with your overall estate plan ensures your family receives what you intend. We recommend reviewing both together to avoid gaps or conflicts.

Yes — significantly. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law in January 2025, repealed both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This means most federal employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced or eliminated due to their FERS or CSRS pension now receive their full Social Security benefit. If you were affected by WEP or GPO, you may be entitled to retroactive payments. This is a major change worth reviewing with a specialist.

Claiming age significantly affects your benefit amount — and the decision is permanent. Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by up to 30% compared to your Full Retirement Age. Waiting until 70 increases your benefit by 8% per year beyond Full Retirement Age. The right timing depends on your health, longevity, FERS pension income, TSP withdrawal strategy, and tax situation. We coordinate all of these factors to identify the claiming strategy that maximizes your lifetime income.

Yes — with the repeal of GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act, most federal employees can now claim spousal or survivor Social Security benefits without the offset that previously reduced or eliminated them. If you were previously denied spousal benefits due to GPO, you should review your eligibility now. The rules around spousal benefits can still be complex depending on your work history and your spouse's benefit amount.

Your Social Security statement (available at ssa.gov/myaccount) shows your estimated benefit at different ages based on your earnings history. With WEP now repealed, federal employees no longer need to adjust these estimates for pension offsets in most cases. We review your Social Security statement alongside your FERS pension and TSP projections to give you a complete retirement income picture.

If you claim Social Security before your Full Retirement Age and continue working, your benefit may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed certain thresholds. In 2025, the limit is $22,320 per year — benefits are reduced $1 for every $2 earned above that. Once you reach Full Retirement Age, there is no earnings limit. These withheld benefits are not lost — they are added back as a higher monthly benefit when you reach Full Retirement Age.

A military buyback (formally called a military service deposit) allows federal civilian employees who also served in the military to credit that military service time toward their FERS or CSRS pension. You pay a deposit — typically 3% of your military base pay plus interest — and in return, those years are added to your creditable service, directly increasing your pension for life.

For most federal employees with military service, the answer is yes — but it depends on your specific numbers. The deposit cost, interest accrued, years of military service, your high-3 salary, and your retirement timeline all factor into the calculation. Most employees who complete a buyback recoup the cost within 2–5 years of retirement through the increased pension. We run a full breakeven analysis so you can see exactly what it costs and what you gain.

There is no hard deadline, but interest accrues on the deposit amount starting two years after you begin federal civilian employment. The longer you wait, the more the deposit costs. Completing the buyback before retirement is required — you cannot make the deposit after you've already retired. We recommend addressing this early to minimize interest costs.

Yes — military buyback deposits can be paid in a lump sum or through installment payments over time while you're still employed. Payroll deductions are also available in many cases. Interest continues to accrue on any unpaid balance, so paying sooner generally saves money. We walk you through the payment options and help you choose the approach that fits your budget.

Generally, no — a military buyback does not affect VA disability compensation. VA disability is a separate benefit that is not offset by your FERS pension or military buyback deposit. However, the interaction between military retired pay, VA compensation, and FERS can be complex depending on your specific situation. We review all of these factors together to make sure nothing is inadvertently affected.

Our compensation depends on the services provided. Planning and analysis services are fee-based — you pay directly for the work we do. When we recommend insurance or annuity products that are right for your situation, those may carry commissions paid by the product carrier. We are transparent about how we are compensated on every recommendation, and we only recommend products when they genuinely fit your needs.

We start with a comprehensive review of your federal benefits, TSP, and overall financial situation. Then we build a detailed, visual plan using Retirement Advisor Pro planning software — addressing retirement timing, income coordination, tax strategy, FEGLI analysis, and survivor benefits. Finally, we provide ongoing support to help you implement and adjust the plan as your life and federal benefits change.

Planning fees depend on the complexity of your situation and the scope of work. We provide transparent pricing upfront so you know exactly what you're paying before we begin. We're happy to discuss costs during your initial consultation — which is always free and carries no obligation.

Yes. Federal benefits change. Life changes. Your plan should adapt with you. We offer ongoing support arrangements to keep your plan current — whether that's an annual review, help navigating a major life event, or adjustments as new federal regulations affect your benefits. Many clients find this ongoing relationship invaluable, especially in the first few years of retirement.

Life changes — and your plan should adapt. We help you adjust your strategy when you experience major life events: a change in marital status, a new federal position, a health change, or shifts in federal benefits law. Our ongoing relationship means you have support when you need it most, not just at the moment you first create a plan.

No. Start with a free 15-minute call. No commitment, no pressure. We can answer a specific question, give you a sense of what a full analysis would look like, or just help you understand where to focus first. Many clients start with one question and realize there's more to explore — but that's always your choice, never ours to push.