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

Retirement Planning, Tax Planning

Retiring With a TSP Loan? A Simple Decision Framework to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Better Federal Retirement™ • Planning for affluent federal employees who want more freedom, clarity, and control. Retiring With ...

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

Why Your “Safe” Withdrawal Rate Depends on Taxes

Safe Withdrawal Rates & Taxes for Federal Retirees At Better Federal Retirement, we frequently work with federal retirees ...

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.

2025 Delivered for Those Who Stayed in Their Seats

Markets rewarded discipline. Diversification mattered. Long-term investors were paid for patience. Key Takeaways: Stocks delivered strong returns—for the ...

Investing

Evidence-Based Investing

How do you define evidence-based investing? The simplest and most relatable way is through an example—one you may ...

Financial Planning

What is a Fiduciary’s Duty?

Understanding the Three Fiduciary Duties: What They Mean for Federal Employees If you’re a federal employee preparing for ...

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.

Investing

Why the Wealthy Need To Invest Differently

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

“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.’”

The Reality Behind TSP Roll-Over Pitches Targeting Federal Employees

Many federal employees tell me the same story: as they approach retirement, their inbox fills with messages urging ...

“Graphic comparing the UMA investment options, featuring bold text 'UMA’ on a deep blue background with subtle financial icons.”

Meet the UMA: A Thrift Upgrade for Federal Employees

For decades, the Thrift Savings Plan has been a workhorse for federal employees. It is low-cost and simple, ...

A stylized illustration of a mountain with a climber planting a flag at the peak, showing “Accumulation” slanted upward on the left slope and “Distribution” slanted downward on the right, representing the financial journey from saving for retirement to drawing income.

How Much Can You Spend In Retirement?

The most important question in retirement planning rarely gets asked first. Financial advisors everywhere love to ask: “So… ...

A middle-aged man in a suit reviews an investment statement with concern, surrounded by financial charts showing fluctuating and declining market trends, illustrated in a muted, textured style.

Investing, Tax Planning

Understanding Capital Gains: When and How They Affect Your Taxes

Most of us don’t think much about taxes until it’s time to file — and then we suddenly ...

A female VA doctor wearing a white coat and stethoscope walks carefully across a tightrope above a soft, stylized landscape of hills and a federal-style building, symbolizing the balance required in retirement income planning.

Investing, Retirement Planning

Common Investing Mistakes to Avoid in Your Retirement Income Planning

If you’re looking to retire within the next decade, it’s crucial to have a financial plan that’s built ...

“Illustrated portrait of Leonardo da Vinci depicted as a retired federal employee, wearing modern professional attire, next to the quote ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ on a textured blue background.”

Uncategorized

Simplicity: The Ultimate Sophistication

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci The Tale of the Wheeled Suitcase Picture travelers in ...

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