FedImpact: Candid Insights for Your Federal Retirement

Chris Kowalik is a federal retirement expert and frequent speaker to federal employee groups nationwide. In her highly-acclaimed FedImpact Retirement Workshops, her workshop training team empowers federal employees to make confident decisions as they plan for the days when they no longer have to work. Chris' candid and straightforward nature allows employees to get the answers they need, and to understand the impact these decisions have on their retirement. Topics include: CSRS & FERS Pensions Survivor Benefits Special Retirement Supplement Social Security Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Federal Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) Thrift Savings Plan ...and more!

The 8 ProFeds Planning Principles 03/01/2024

The 8 ProFeds Planning Principles ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, lays out the 8 planning principles that can help federal employees take control of their financial future Key takeaways: The timing of when you’re taking action The decision making process (and what happens if you don’t make decisions) Taking ownership of your future /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/30186423

It's Time for Something New! 10/11/2023

It's Time for Something New! ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the recent updates ProFeds has made to its website and resources for federal employees. Key takeaways: We have a bigger message to share with federal employees preparing to retire, We embrace growth and change, so we continue to bring you helpful tools and resources, We want to give federal employees a first-class experience. /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/28288481

Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition) 02/15/2023

Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition) ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares Super Bowl insights and what that has to do with your retirement from federal service. Key takeaways: What to do when you find yourself as the “underdog” How to keep your head in the game and be “In it to Win it?” When your play calling becomes a crucial element of your game strategy Who to rely on for guidance and leadership when the stakes are high Why to always keep your eye on the game clock & understand the rules of the game /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/25939971

Striving for Financial Freedom in Retirement 01/03/2023

Striving for Financial Freedom in Retirement ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares how taking these steps early can help you to retire with financial confidence. Key takeaways: NUMBERS: what facts and figures need to be on your radar TIMELINE: what does your retirement countdown look like ADVANTAGES: what unique decisions are available to you to give you an unfair advantage over your peers MINDSET: what shifts may need to be made to your thinking about your big retirement plan /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/25484400

Why Your Agency's Retirement Estimate Isn't Enough 11/15/2022

Why Your Agency's Retirement Estimate Isn't Enough ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, talks about three areas where federal employees need to pay special attention to when they’re requesting and reviewing the retirement estimate from their agency: ACCURATE: are the numbers right? COMPLETE: are all the numbers and options there (even just for your federal benefits)? ENOUGH: is the information presented enough to make a full decision? /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/25018938

Your Mindset on TSP in a Down Market 10/25/2022

Your Mindset on TSP in a Down Market ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses how your mindset may shift on you when the TSP takes a tumble. Key takeaways: Different stages of your investment journey (and how it changes your perspective on loss) Assessing your risk tolerance as it relates to your TSP How long it takes to recoup your money after a down market Highlights the #1 problem with TSP once you are retired What to do now if your account has already taken a loss /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/24793212

Playing Offense & Defense in Retirement 09/20/2022

Playing Offense & Defense in Retirement ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses how playing both offense and defense can help federal employees to retire ready. OFFENSE: Increasing the money you have to live the retirement you want DEFENSE: Protecting that money from others who want to take it from you BIG QUESTION: Are you playing to win, or are you playing to not lose? /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/24417432

TSP's Comedy of Errors in 4, 3, 2, 1... 08/02/2022

TSP's Comedy of Errors in 4, 3, 2, 1... ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses the legitimate frustrations that federal employees have felt about the TSP's recent transition to its new platform – and how feds can protect themselves despite TSP's errors. /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23934468

The 3 Key Professionals to Have in Your Corner 07/08/2022

The 3 Key Professionals to Have in Your Corner ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the 3 key professionals federal employees should have in their corner as they prepare to retire – and how to get started. /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23683814

Why Federal Employees Should Avoid "Rules of Thumb" 06/24/2022

Why Federal Employees Should Avoid "Rules of Thumb" ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals common "rules of thumb" and why federal employees are persuaded to follow them – and what to do instead. /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23529263

5 Places Where Feds Should Not Go to For Advice 06/07/2022

5 Places Where Feds Should Not Go to For Advice ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, offers insights into where federal employees should not be seeking advice from – and where to go instead. Key takeaways: The difference between “seeking information” and “seeking advice” The 5 government entities where feds should never go to for advice Where feds should go when seeking advice on strategy to maximize their financial situation /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23354246

How the FERS Supplement is Affected if You Work After Retiring 05/24/2022

How the FERS Supplement is Affected if You Work After Retiring ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, gives the simple formula to know if federal retirees might work themselves right out of the Special Retirement Supplement if they have a job after leaving federal service. Key takeaways: General overview of how the SRS program works The “earnings test” applied and what happens if you make too much money We’ll cover a few examples (and give you an easy formula to figure this out for yourself) An overlooked element of the SRS earnings test that can be your silver lining /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23210984

Why High COLAs are Not a Good Thing 05/10/2022

Why High COLAs are Not a Good Thing ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals why high COLAs actually mean less money in the pockets of federal retirees. Key takeaways: How the Cost of Living Adjustments are calculated When COLAs are announced each year and when they go into effect Why high COLAs aren’t considered “good” when you know what it actually means The real consequences of high COLAs and the spiral effect it can have on your retirement assets /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/23051888

FEGLI Option C (When You Have No Eligible Family Members) 04/26/2022

FEGLI Option C (When You Have No Eligible Family Members) ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews FEGLI Option C coverage and what happens when you no longer have eligible family members who are covered. Key takeaways: Brief overview of FEGLI Option C What causes eligible family members to become ineligible for coverage How to get this coverage fixed with your agency How to get a refund of erroneous premiums paid /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/22719641

Rules for Keeping FEHB in Retirement 04/12/2022

Rules for Keeping FEHB in Retirement ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, covers the 3 rules that federal employees must follow to be allowed to keep their health benefits (FEHB) in retirement. Key takeaways: Focuses solely on how YOU (the fed) can keep FEHB in retirement A breakdown of the 3 rules you must meet to be eligible How feds married to other feds can switch up their plans How feds who have time under TRICARE can use that time to meet FEHB’s “5-year” rule /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/22716494

The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty 03/29/2022

The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2. Key takeaways: What the rules are for when you may take money from TSP What triggers a penalty for some federal employees taking funds prior to age 59 1/2 How to avoid the penalty based on when or how you take money The bigger impact a penalty like this has on your TSP account /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/22607243

The Goals, the Gap and the Gains 02/11/2022

The Goals, the Gap and the Gains ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses why goal setting can leave federal employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. She gives real-world examples of how to break down goals into manageable steps. Key takeaways: Why most people hate new year’s resolutions How to intentionally create steps into your goals to build momentum How (and from where) to measure progress /episode/index/show/fedimpact/id/22106387

FedImpact: Candid Insights for Your Federal Retirement

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