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“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci The Tale of the Wheeled Suitcase Picture travelers in the 1960s, grimacing while dragging boxy suitcases across airport floors. The wheel already existed. Suitcases already existed. Yet it took humanity 6,000 years after inventing the wheel to finally put the two together. Even after sending astronauts …

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For decades, the Thrift Savings Plan has been a workhorse for federal employees. It is low-cost and simple, which makes it a solid tool for building the foundation of a retirement portfolio. Yet the investment landscape has evolved, and today many federal employees find themselves with seven-figure balances and far more complex needs than the …

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Have you outgrown the TSP? The answer is likely yes… if you have more than $500,000.

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 $500,000, the TSP shifts from “perfect fit” into “still good… but not good enough.”

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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 …

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The most important question in retirement planning rarely gets asked first. Financial advisors everywhere love to ask:“So… how much would you like to spend in retirement?” That sounds like a reasonable place to start. Yet more often than not, I watch retirees blink, pause, and reply with a much better question: “I don’t know. How …

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Most of us don’t think much about taxes until it’s time to file — and then we suddenly remember that some financial moves can come with a tax surprise. One of the most common examples? Capital gains. A capital gain happens when you sell an asset for more than you paid for it. The IRS …

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When most people think about investment risk, they imagine scary headlines and sudden market drops. But if you’re nearing or in retirement, there’s a much more pressing question: “Will I run out of money?” It’s not about volatility—it’s about longevity risk. And while traditional portfolio approaches focus on beating benchmarks, that’s not what really matters …

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If you’re looking to retire within the next decade, it’s crucial to have a financial plan that’s built to withstand the unpredictable nature of the market. It’s also particularly important to have a plan that accounts for the short-term need for stability while ensuring long-term growth potential. A Strategy to Safeguard Your Retirement Savings Against …

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Retirement planning can be a complex journey, especially if you’re a federal employee retiree or nearing retirement. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to retirement planning. With several retirement income strategies available, it’s important you explore all your options to find the strategy that works best for you. As a fiduciary and founder of Better Federal Retirement, …

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Understanding the Value of a Fiduciary in Your Financial Journey What’s a fiduciary? Is every financial advisor a fiduciary? Why does this distinction matter? As a dedicated fiduciary based in Tucson, AZ, I’m often asked, “what exactly is a fiduciary? “Is a fiduciary just a financial advisor?” And “why should I choose a fiduciary over …

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Many federal employees appreciate that I’m an independent fiduciary advisor — it means my loyalty is to my clients, not to a parent company or sales quota. But once in a while, a client or prospect asks: “Nigel, what happens if you get sick or retire? Who helps me then?”“Are you really doing all this …

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Creating a comprehensive financial plan is essential for everyone, including federal employees. Here’s an in-depth look at why financial planning is particularly crucial for those working in the federal sector. Understanding the Unique Financial Landscape for Federal Employees Predictable Income Streams Federal employees often enjoy stable, predictable incomes, which is a solid foundation for financial …

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