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The Fed15 Podcast: Stay or Leave? Evaluating Your Federal Career and Navigating RIF

The Fed15 Podcast

Release Date: 05/09/2025

The Fed15 Podcast: Smart Tax Planning in Retirement + Beating Information Bias show art The Fed15 Podcast: Smart Tax Planning in Retirement + Beating Information Bias

The Fed15 Podcast

Dan and Katelyn explore why proactive tax planning is critical in retirement, starting with understanding the full retirement income stack, including a FERS or CSRS pension, planned TSP or IRA withdrawals, Social Security, and part-time income. They also discuss key tax considerations such as Roth strategies, required minimum distributions, Social Security and Medicare nuances, state tax realities, and the value of working with a CPA and CFP. The episode also covers how information bias can impact retirement investing and strategies to filter through market noise. 🚀 A new episode of The...

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The Fed15: Coordinating Sick & Annual Leave for Retirement + OPM’s Digital Retirement Overhaul show art The Fed15: Coordinating Sick & Annual Leave for Retirement + OPM’s Digital Retirement Overhaul

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Dan and Katelyn explore how sick leave and annual leave factor into federal retirement planning, including how sick leave boosts pension calculations, how unused annual leave is paid out, and strategies for coordinating both for maximum value. They also break down OPM’s new digital retirement system launching in 2026, covering online applications, processing changes, timelines, and key considerations for federal employees.  • •  If you’d like to meet with an STWS advisor, pick a spot on our calendar here:  Register for Webinars:  Dan explains the differences...

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The Fed15 Podcast: Retiring With Debt + Choosing the Right Retirement Date show art The Fed15 Podcast: Retiring With Debt + Choosing the Right Retirement Date

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Dan and Katelyn break down how federal employees can retire with debt in a sustainable way, starting with a full debt inventory and mapping guaranteed income sources such as a FERS or CSRS annuity, Social Security (if applicable), and planned TSP or IRA withdrawals. They also explain why retirement date strategy matters, including how timing can affect benefits, taxes, payouts, cash flow, and income gaps—and outline key timeframes to consider when choosing a retirement date. ·        ·       ...

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The Fed15 Podcast: 2026 Retirement Prep — New TSP & IRA Limits and How to Avoid Payment Delays show art The Fed15 Podcast: 2026 Retirement Prep — New TSP & IRA Limits and How to Avoid Payment Delays

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Dan and Katelyn break down what federal employees need to know heading into 2026, starting with the newly announced TSP and IRA contribution limits and how higher caps, expanded catch-ups, and Roth requirements for higher earners can shape retirement strategy. They explain why recalculating per-pay-period contributions before January matters for maximizing tax-advantaged growth and agency matching. The conversation then shifts to the other side of retirement readiness, outlining the most common mistakes that delay first retirement payments and walking through a practical checklist for...

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The Fed15 Podcast: RIF “Bump and Retreat” Explained + 2026 HSA & FSA Updates show art The Fed15 Podcast: RIF “Bump and Retreat” Explained + 2026 HSA & FSA Updates

The Fed15 Podcast

Dan and Katelyn break down how “bump and retreat” works in a RIF, covering key terms, potential outcomes, and steps federal employees can take if a RIF is possible. They also review 2026 HSA and FSA updates, including tax advantages, ACA-related changes, Direct Primary Care and telehealth expenses, and key differences among FSA options for federal employees. ·         ·         ·              If you’d like to meet with an STWS advisor, pick a...

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The Fed15 Podcast: Early Retirement Factors and TSP Considerations During Volatility show art The Fed15 Podcast: Early Retirement Factors and TSP Considerations During Volatility

The Fed15 Podcast

Dan and Katelyn sit down to discuss key considerations for Feds facing early retirement and market volatility. Dan reviews the role of the FERS supplement, past proposals to change it, and why staying aware of policy discussions remains important. Katelyn follows by outlining how to evaluate volatility within the TSP, highlighting the functions of the G, F, C, S, I, and L Funds, along with considerations around rebalancing and maintaining a steady perspective during uncertain market periods. ·         ...

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The Fed15 Podcast: A Thanksgiving Special with the STWS Team show art The Fed15 Podcast: A Thanksgiving Special with the STWS Team

The Fed15 Podcast

Dan and Katelyn sit down with the rest of the Serving Those Who Serve team for a Thanksgiving Special episode. Each person shares what they’re thankful for, the small things bringing them joy lately, their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and one thing they’ve learned and come to appreciate from working with our clients. Articles & Resources to Explore ·         ·            If you’d like to meet with an STWS advisor, pick a spot on our calendar here: Register for Webinars:  ...

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The Fed15 Podcast: A Career Shift with Flavor — Former Fed Kevin Gash’s Sausage Journey show art The Fed15 Podcast: A Career Shift with Flavor — Former Fed Kevin Gash’s Sausage Journey

The Fed15 Podcast

Dan and Katelyn sit down with Kevin Gash, founder of Maryland Brat & Butcher Co. (formerly Plan B Sausages) and former federal employee of more than 20 years. After being unexpectedly separated from federal service, Kevin shares his journey—from growing up in Germany and spending time in local butcher shops, to his personal and professional travels with USAID, to navigating a layoff—and how these experiences ultimately helped him pivot into building the thriving sausage company he runs today. Articles & Resources to Explore ·         ...

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The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating FEHB Open Season with Consumers’ Checkbook show art The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating FEHB Open Season with Consumers’ Checkbook

The Fed15 Podcast

Consumers’ Checkbook, for a Q&A focused on helping federal employees navigate Open Season with confidence. Articles & Resources Covered ·         ·            If you’d like to meet with an STWS advisor, pick a spot on our calendar here: Register for Webinars: Kevin shares expert insights on common FEHB pitfalls, rising premiums, and how to choose the right plan for your needs. Topics covered include: ·         The biggest mistakes federal...

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The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Shutdowns and Staying Ethical in the Digital Age show art The Fed15 Podcast: Navigating Shutdowns and Staying Ethical in the Digital Age

The Fed15 Podcast

In this episode, Dan discusses how federal employees can prepare for a potential government shutdown—covering back pay expectations, key benefits like FEHB, TSP, and leave, and strategies to avoid high-interest debt while staying financially resilient. Meanwhile, Katelyn examines digital assets through the lens of federal ethics, exploring potential conflicts of interest, appropriate actions to stay compliant, and practical tips for managing digital holdings responsibly. Articles & Resources Covered ·         ...

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More Episodes

Dan and Katelyn discuss the return-to-work mandate, focusing on key considerations for deciding whether to stay in or leave federal employment. They then transition into a Q&A-style discussion on RIF (Reduction in Force), addressing common and pressing questions.

Articles & Resources Covered

The Return-to-Work Mandate: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

·         https://stwserve.com/the-return-to-work-mandate-should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/

How to Navigate the Reduction in Force (RIF) Process: Questions & Answers

·         https://stwserve.com/how-to-navigate-the-reduction-in-force-rif-process-questions-answers/

Life After Reduction in Force (RIF): Know the Rules Around the Reemployment Priority List for Your Agency

·         https://stwserve.com/life-after-reduction-in-force-rif-know-the-rules-around-the-reemployment-priority-list-for-your-agency/

https://www.stwserve.com/blog  

If you’d like to meet with an STWS advisor, pick a spot on our calendar here:

https://stwserve.com/meet-with-us/

Register for Webinars:

https://stwserve.com/register

In response to the return-to-work mandate, Dan explores key factors to consider when deciding whether to stay or leave your job. He covers topics such as feasibility, preserving your benefits, early retirement, and health insurance.

Katelyn goes over a Q&A for Reduction in force. She goes over important questions addressing from how to prepare for a RIF, benefits impact, TSP funds, investments, transition opportunities/rehire list, severance pay and pension calculations.

***DISCLAIMER – THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE***
 The Fed15 podcast is presented by Serving Those Who Serve, a financial planning practice serving federal government employees and retirees all over the country.
 
This podcast is presented for information and entertainment only and is not intended to be taken as financial advice. All listeners should consult their personal advisors before taking any action. The opinions expressed therein are not the opinions of Raymond James or Serving Those Who Serve.

Insurance policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased.  As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition, if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.