The Fed15 Podcast: Social Security Updates & Shutdown Survival Strategies for Feds
Release Date: 05/22/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 · ...
info_outlineIn this episode, Dan and Katelyn discuss key financial topics affecting federal employees, including the repeal of the WEP and GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act and practical strategies from a Shutdown Survival Guide.
Articles & Resources Covered
· The Future of Social Security: Potential Reforms and Their Impact on Feds
· Shutdown Survival: How Federal Employees Can Manage Finances with No Paycheckhttps://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:
Dan breaks down the Social Security Fairness Act and the repeal of the WEP and GPO, explaining who is impacted and the average monthly benefit increases they can expect. He also covers retroactive payments, how earning credits and retirement age factor into benefits, and offers insights on Social Security’s long-term stability and potential future changes. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of staying informed on SSA updates to make sound financial decisions.
Katelyn shares a Shutdown Survival Guide as a practical resource for navigating future government shutdowns. She covers key strategies like building an emergency fund, budgeting for uncertainty, exploring hardship withdrawals, and accessing assistance programs. She concludes with lessons learned from past shutdowns to help Feds better prepare moving forward.
***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.
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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.