Changes to Catch-up Contributions in 2026
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Release Date: 12/16/2025
Investment Tips for Federal Employees Approaching Retirement in 2026
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
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#144 Finish 2025 Strong, Start 2026 Smarter: Federal Retirement Planning
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
As the year closes, federal employees can’t afford to miss critical planning opportunities that protect their retirement and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down real-world, end-of-year action items they are actively handling with clients right now. They talk about last-minute planning for 2025, including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), Roth conversions, and estimated tax payments, all with a focus on being aware of IRS...
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Social Security: The Bridge Strategy!
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Have you ever wondered what a Social Security bridge strategy is? In this episode, Floyd Shilanski, CFPⓇ breaks down how these strategies can help retirees wait to claim Social Security and boost their lifetime income. Rather than filing for Social Security at 62, some retirees use their TSP, 401(k), or other savings to cover income needs until they reach full retirement age or even 70. Floyd discusses why living longer matters, how waiting can increase your monthly income, and why each person needs a plan that fits their situation. Most importantly, this episode focuses on planning,...
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Retirement Isn’t Just About Money Are You Physically Ready?
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Big changes are coming to your TSP catch-up contributions in 2026 and if you miss them, you could accidentally throw off your entire tax strategy.
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Changes to Catch-up Contributions in 2026
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
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#143 Tax-Saving Strategies for the Year-End: What You Need to Do Now
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
As 2025 comes to a close, many federal employees are asking the same question: “What should I be doing now to prepare for retirement?” In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski is joined by Floyd Shilanski for a year-end review covering the most important planning areas for federal employees heading into 2026. They discuss why being proactive matters more than ever, how cash flow drives retirement success, what recent tax changes mean for your plan, and why every federal employee needs a clear exit strategy, even if retirement isn’t immediate. This...
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Viral Finance: Should You Trust Trends?
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Are TikTok “experts” and viral retirement hacks influencing your Social Security decisions? In today’s episode, Floyd Shilanski tackles one of the biggest dangers he sees in federal retirement planning: relying on trends, reels, and generic advice for one of the most important financial decisions of your life.
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Top 5 Retirement Pitfalls Feds Must Avoid in 2026
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Learn the Top 5 Pitfalls Federal Employees Must Avoid in 2026, so you can retire with confidence and keep more of the benefits you’ve worked so hard for. In this episode of All About FERS, John Raleigh, CFP®, breaks down the biggest mistakes federal employees make when planning for retirement, many of which don’t show up until it’s too late.
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#142 Year End - What Planning You Need to Do
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Year-end is one of the most strategic times for Federal Employees to review their financial picture, retirement timeline, and tax exposure. In this episode, Micah Shilanski, CFP®, and John Raleigh, CFP®, walk you through the essential steps you should take before December 31st to stay on track and avoid costly mistakes in the new year. As Micah says, “Small decisions at year-end can produce big results over the next 10 years.” This episode is your clear, simple, actionable guide to finishing the year strong and entering 2026 with clarity and confidence.
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Is YOUR Social Security Taxable?
Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast
Most federal employees are surprised to learn that up to 85% of their Social Security benefits may be taxable in retirement. In this episode, Floyd Shilanski explains how Social Security taxation really works, what counts as “provisional income,” and why proper planning is essential to avoid unexpected tax bills. This is a critical part of federal retirement tax planning, and the earlier you understand it, the better prepared you’ll be. That is why this video is a must-watch for anyone preparing to retire under FERS.
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