federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

April 16, 2026April 15, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

Fiduciary rule reset graphic comparing one-time vs ongoing financial advice for federal employees retirement planning featured in FedWeek

The Department of Labor’s 2024 fiduciary rule has been vacated—bringing retirement advice standards back to a framework where not all guidance is held to the same level of accountability. For federal employees nearing retirement, this creates an important distinction: the difference between one-time recommendations and ongoing fiduciary advice. While both can have a place, they …

February 5, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

Simple illustration showing a clipboard with a question mark and a beach chair, representing retirement decisions for federal employees with a TSP loan.

Better Federal Retirement™ • Planning for affluent federal employees who want more freedom, clarity, and control. Retiring With a TSP Loan? Here’s the Decision Tree That Prevents Surprise Taxes If you separate from federal service with an outstanding Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) loan, you’re standing near a common tripwire: a missed payment (or a poorly …

April 17, 2026February 3, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

safe withdrawal rates federal employees tsp ira taxable accounts tax drag retirement income fedsmith article

The “4% rule” is one of the most widely cited guidelines in retirement planning—but it’s often misunderstood, especially by federal employees. In this FedSmith article, I explain why safe withdrawal rates aren’t universal—and how the type of account you’re spending from can significantly impact how much you can safely withdraw. Because taxes affect each account …

April 17, 2026January 28, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

social security optimization federal employees retirement planning pension tsp holistic strategy featured in fedweek

Many Social Security strategies focus on one goal: getting the highest possible benefit. But for federal employees, that approach can be incomplete—and sometimes misleading. In this FedWeek article, I explain why traditional Social Security optimization often falls short for federal retirees, and why a more effective approach looks at Social Security as part of a …

April 17, 2026January 20, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

tsp roth conversions federal employees retirement tax strategy risks benefits fedsmith article

Roth conversions are coming to the Thrift Savings Plan—and for many federal employees, that sounds like a clear win. But the reality is more nuanced. In this FedSmith article, I explain why Roth conversions are one of the most powerful tools in retirement planning—but also one of the easiest to misuse. Done correctly, they can …

January 15, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

Illustration showing how safe withdrawal rates differ between TSP/IRA, taxable brokerage, and Roth accounts due to taxes.

Safe Withdrawal Rates & Taxes for Federal Retirees At Better Federal Retirement, we frequently work with federal retirees who are using—or planning to use—a Systematic Withdrawal Income Plan (SWIP) to create dependable retirement income. Many have heard of the 4% rule and reasonably ask: “If I’m withdrawing $40,000 a year, does it really matter whether …

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

Illustration of a confident bull in a suit representing a disciplined federal employee investor, with the U.S. Capitol and city skyline in the background.

Markets rewarded discipline. Diversification mattered. Long-term investors were paid for patience. Key Takeaways: Stocks delivered strong returns—for the third year in a row, even with plenty of volatility along the way. International markets outperformed the U.S., reminding investors why global diversification matters. The Fed cut rates while inflation concerns lingered—yet markets still advanced. Staying invested …

April 16, 2026January 8, 2026 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

retirement income strategies for federal employees swip flooring bucketing tsp income planning featured in fedweek

For federal employees, retirement planning doesn’t end with saving—it begins with one of the most important questions: how do you turn your savings into reliable income without running out? In this FedWeek article, I break down the three core retirement income strategies—Systematic Withdrawals (SWIPs), Flooring, and Bucketing—and explain how each approach balances flexibility, certainty, and …

January 6, 2026November 16, 2025 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

How do you define evidence-based investing? The simplest and most relatable way is through an example—one you may have felt yourself. The Doctor Who Reaches for the Wrong Source Imagine you haven’t been feeling well for a couple of weeks. A cough, some aches, maybe a low-grade fever. Eventually you decide it’s time to get …

November 20, 2025November 14, 2025 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

Understanding the Three Fiduciary Duties: What They Mean for Federal Employees If you’re a federal employee preparing for retirement, you’ve probably seen the term “fiduciary” used in many places. It’s a word that carries weight, but it’s not always clear what it means—or what it requires from an advisor. In reality, the fiduciary standard is …

January 15, 2026October 2, 2025 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

A group of successful late-career professionals—including a white VA nurse, a Hispanic female executive, a white male business professional, and a firefighter—standing confidently in front of an iconic Southwest hospital building, symbolizing financial strength and federal employee retirement planning.

Have you outgrown the TSP? Consider a rollover if you have more than $400,000.

For federal employees, the Thrift Savings Plan is a powerful launchpad: low costs, broad exposure, and effortless payroll contributions. All good things. However, once your wealth surpasses roughly $400,000, the TSP shifts from “perfect fit” into “still good… but not good enough.” This article makes the case for the high-net-worth TSP rollover.

January 15, 2026August 10, 2025 by federalemployeeadvisor_7b0bm8

“Flat-style illustration contrasting financial product sales with holistic wealth management for federal employees, showing a split screen with a megaphone and dollar document on one side and a checklist and money bag on the other, separated by a bold ‘VS.’”

Many federal employees tell me the same story: as they approach retirement, their inbox fills with messages urging them to roll over their TSP. These solicitations tend to fall into two groups: Companies selling annuities Companies selling Gold IRAs or other precious metals Each group often promotes a single product as though it should be …