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?”
Tag Archives: Personal Finance
8 Ways Federal Employees Can Improve Their Finances In The New Year
Given the wild year of market ups and downs paired with inflation we haven’t seen in decades, it’s no wonder many federal employees are eager to improve their finances in the new year. While everyone’s financial situation is different, there are several critical areas that every federal employee should review to improve their finances inContinue reading “8 Ways Federal Employees Can Improve Their Finances In The New Year”
End-of-Year Tax Planning For Federal Employees: Part 4 Avoiding The Wash Sale
After a year of wild stock market swings and declines, most federal employees have investment accounts that are sitting in the red, and while it’s difficult to watch your account value drop, many find a silver lining in the form of tax savings. The tax strategy many federal employees utilize is tax loss harvesting, anContinue reading “End-of-Year Tax Planning For Federal Employees: Part 4 Avoiding The Wash Sale”
End of Year Tax Planning For Federal Employees: Part 3 Tax Loss Harvesting
Most federal employees don’t think about their taxes until April 15th is around the corner, however, thinking about taxes long before it’s time to file gives you the opportunity to do some tax planning that can potentially reduce your tax bill. That being said, the end of the year is a great time to useContinue reading “End of Year Tax Planning For Federal Employees: Part 3 Tax Loss Harvesting”
Mid-Year Tax Tips For Federal Employees: Part 2
For part two of our mid-year tax planning series, we’re going to review one of the most reliable tactics for reducing taxes: which is bunching. This strategy is the process of accelerating deductible expenses, such as real estate taxes, charitable contributions, etc., into a given year so that you can itemize your deductions. This strategyContinue reading “Mid-Year Tax Tips For Federal Employees: Part 2”
Mid-Year Tax Tips For Federal Employees: Part 1
It’s hard to believe that half the year has gone by already, and while summertime is perfect for going on family trips and sunbathing, it’s also a great time for some mid-year tax planning. Yes, I know, taxes, everyone’s favorite topic. Although you may not enjoy reading through your 1040 or your 1099s, you willContinue reading “Mid-Year Tax Tips For Federal Employees: Part 1”
Variable Annuities: What Federal Employees Need To Know
Federal employees often ask me if annuities are good or bad? And my response is that they’re neither good nor bad—because they’re just tools that work well to meet specific goals and do not work well to meet others. Thus, the only way to know whether an annuity may be a solution for you isContinue reading “Variable Annuities: What Federal Employees Need To Know”
Should You Use Your TSP To Pay Off Your Mortgage?
As federal employees near retirement, many questions inevitably come up. One common question I am asked is, “should I use my TSP to pay off my mortgage?” And my answer almost always is, it depends. Though it might seem like a smart financial move, several factors should be considered before deciding to pay off yourContinue reading “Should You Use Your TSP To Pay Off Your Mortgage?”
3 Reasons Why Federal Employees Should Hire A Financial Advisor
Personal finances can be complicated, especially when you’re a federal employee with a robust benefits package that includes a FERS pension, survivor benefits, the Thrift Savings Plan, and life insurance. And while OPM and your HR specialists provide plenty of information, the responsibility of integrating your federal benefits into a customized financial plan is yoursContinue reading “3 Reasons Why Federal Employees Should Hire A Financial Advisor”
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program For Federal Employees
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is a federal program designed to encourage students to enter public service by forgiving any remaining loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) have been made. As simple as that may sound, in practice, qualifying for this program hasn’t gone very smoothly, in part due toContinue reading “The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program For Federal Employees”