On July 4, 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) — sweeping tax legislation that makes many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent, while introducing several new deductions and planning opportunities. Early drafts of the bill caused serious concern in the federal workforce. Provisions were floated thatContinue reading “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What Federal Employees Need to Know”
Author Archives: Jose Armenta, MsBA, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, EA
3 Big FERS Pension and TSP Mistakes that Federal Employees Can’t Afford to Make
In this video, Jose Armenta, CFP®, reviews 3 FERS pension and TSP mistakes that federal employees can’t afford to make. If you want more details on the subject, read the following articles: Net vs. Gross Pension, Tax Diversification, and Rollovers vs. Transfers.
What TSP Amount Is Needed To Retire?
In this video, I discuss how FERS federal employees can quickly estimate how much they’ll need in their TSP to retire. If you’re interested in learning more about the 4 percent rule, read this article. Additionally, if you’re planning for retirement, this is a must-read article on what to do with your TSP.
Benefits For New Federal Employees: 4 Tips
Joining the federal workforce is an exciting milestone for many individuals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a career changer, or an experienced professional, working for the federal government offers an array of benefits. While most new Feds get guidance on enrolling in FEHB and will automatically contribute to the FERSContinue reading “Benefits For New Federal Employees: 4 Tips”
Should Federal Employees Enroll In Medicare?
As a financial planner for federal employees, you can imagine that I get to help answer many retirement questions. But one of the most frequent questions I get from Feds approaching retirement is whether to enroll in Medicare. This makes sense; since Medicare offers various coverage options, making the question of whether there is anyContinue reading “Should Federal Employees Enroll In Medicare?”
When Should Federal Employees Claim Social Security
Social Security benefits are a crucial component of retirement planning for federal employees. However, deciding when to claim these benefits is not always straightforward since there are several factors to consider, such as your financial situation, health status, and retirement goals. While some Feds may choose to claim Social Security benefits as early as ageContinue reading “When Should Federal Employees Claim Social Security”
What Should Federal Employees Do With Their TSP At Retirement?
As federal employees prepare to retire, they face a critical decision; what should they do with their TSP? This challenge can typically be addressed by answering the following questions: should you transfer your TSP to an IRA? And how should you invest your TSP in retirement? While these questions are by no means easy toContinue reading “What Should Federal Employees Do With Their TSP At Retirement?”
4 Risks Federal Employees Face In Retirement
As federal employees enter retirement, they cross into foreign territory littered with risks. These risks often fall into four categories, longevity, spending shocks, inflation, and market risk. For most federal employees, saving for retirement was the easy part, and figuring out how to manage these risks when approaching or entering retirement will be much moreContinue reading “4 Risks Federal Employees Face In Retirement”
When Can Federal Employees Contribute To A Roth IRA?
Roths are a powerful federal retirement planning tool! Whether it be your Roth TSP or a Roth IRA, these accounts provide tax-free income in retirement, the opportunity to limit the taxation of your Social Security benefits, and no Required Minimum Distributions, to name a few of the perks. But not every federal employee is eligibleContinue reading “When Can Federal Employees Contribute To A Roth IRA?”
How Federal Employees Can Manage Their TSP In Retirement: The 4 Percent Rule
You’ve worked hard for years, and now it’s time to ride into the sunset, but as retirement nears, you’re faced with the frightening challenge of turning your TSP into a monthly paycheck. Sure, you have your FERS pension and Social Security (or the FERS Supplement), and while these benefits will keep you from ever becomingContinue reading “How Federal Employees Can Manage Their TSP In Retirement: The 4 Percent Rule”