Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast

What happens to your income after your last federal paycheck, before OPM finishes processing your FERS retirement? For many federal employees, retirement brings a big change in cash flow. Your regular paycheck ends, you might get paid for unused annual leave, and OPM may start sending interim retirement payments while your application is being processed. So how can you keep paying your bills during this time? In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, is discussed why cash flow is the heartbeat of retirement and how federal employees can begin preparing for the transition before their retirement date arrives. As you approach retirement, it's essential to ensure that you have a plan in place to address any potential income gaps. Download your copy of our guide that can help you calculate this gap and offer practical strategies to bridge it - https://zurl.co/QLcgf Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals! Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww Happy Planning!

Understanding how to withdraw from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a critical part of retirement planning for federal employees. While many spend decades building their TSP balance, the decisions made at retirement, especially around distributions. can have a lasting impact on income, flexibility, and long-term outcomes. In this episode, Micah Shilanski walks through several common TSP withdrawal options, including systematic withdrawals, life expectancy-based payments, partial rollovers, and annuity elections. He explains how each option works, highlights potential trade-offs, and outlines considerations federal employees may want to evaluate before making a decision.

Federal employees often wonder: "If I delay Social Security and pass away before starting benefits, what happens to my spouse?" The answer depends on Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and your specific situation. It's also important to know that Social Security survivor benefits and FERS survivor annuity elections are separate, each with their own rules. https://zurl.co/5TtUu

Inflation doesn't always show up loudly, and for many federal employees and retirees, the biggest danger is assuming COLA will protect their retirement income. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner, Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down the "COLA mirage": why cost-of-living adjustments often fail to keep pace with real inflation, rising FEHB premiums, and increasing expenses. They explain how COLA works differently for federal employees, FERS retirees, Social Security, and special provision employees, and why many retirees see their buying power shrink year after year, even after an increase. Listen in to find out what practical steps you can take before and during retirement to guard against inflation, help protect your cash flow, and avoid spending down your retirement savings too quickly. https://zurl.co/RFWJd

Retirement isn't just about making your money last, it's about using it wisely while you still can. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement podcast, Micah Shilanski, Wealth Advisor, is joined by his father, Floyd Shilanski, Wealth Advisor, to unpack one of the most complicated challenges federal employees face: balancing today's lifestyle with tomorrow's longevity. From distribution strategies and liquidity planning to housing decisions, aging in place, and preparing for unexpected large expenses, this conversation dives deep into what actually happens over a 30–40 year retirement. With decades of real-world client experience, Floyd shares stories that highlight why flexibility, intentional planning, and foresight are essential, not optional. If you're a pre-retiree or early retiree wondering how to enjoy retirement without becoming a burden or running out of money, this episode is for you. https://zurl.co/xFbFx

Social Security headlines are everywhere, and much of what federal employees are hearing is confusing, incomplete, or flat-out wrong. In this episode of Plan Your Federal Retirement, Floyd Shilanski, Wealth Manager, cuts through the noise and explains what federal employees actually need to know about Social Security as retirement approaches. https://zurl.co/awQVP

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 penalties. Tune in to learn about strategies for January 2026, like new TSP contribution limits, Roth and HSA planning, and why it's better to start early rather than wait until the end of the year. If you are a federal employee or retiree who wants to end the year well and begin the next one with clear plans and confidence, this episode offers practical tips you can use right away. https://zurl.co/iaMcA