If you've built up real money in your TSP, IRAs, or 401(k)s, a new tax law just quietly handed you a four‑year window to lock in lower taxes for the rest of your retirement. Starting with the 2025 tax year, retirees 65 and older get an extra "senior deduction" of up to $6,000 per person, on top of the regular standard deduction and the normal over‑65 add‑on. That window runs from 2025 through 2028. After that, under current law, it's gone.

In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, I break down what actually changed in the tax code, how this new senior deduction works in plain English, and why it matters so much if you're a federal employee with significant pre‑tax balances in TSP, IRAs, or other retirement plans. You'll hear a simple case study comparing two timelines for the same couple – one where they use the four‑year window, and one where they don't – and see how their tax bill changes when Required Minimum Distributions kick in.

Finally, I walk through three practical levers you can pull during these four years: Roth conversions, realizing capital gains at favorable rates, and smoothing IRA withdrawals before RMDs. The goal isn't to turn you into a tax expert, but to give you a clear framework so you're not guessing with your life savings.

When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit https://gtwealthguide.com/federal-blueprint to request a personalized Federal Retirement Plan and schedule a call.

We'll map out your federal benefits, TSP, Social Security, and tax plan on one page so you can retire from federal service without guessing.

Federal employees ask this all the time: "When I retire, do I lose my health insurance?" In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, I walk you through step by step through what really happens to your FEHB when you leave federal service. You'll learn how the five‑year rule works, what "immediate annuity" actually means, and how coverage under a spouse's FEHB or TRICARE can count toward that requirement as long as you're in FEHB on the day you retire.

I also explain what changes once you're retired: how your FEHB premiums are paid from your pension instead of your paycheck, why the premiums themselves don't jump just because you retired, and what to know about timing, Open Season, and rising healthcare costs. Finally, he covers what happens if you don't meet the five‑year rule, why temporary continuation of coverage can get expensive fast, and how FEDVIP dental and vision work in retirement with no five‑year requirement at all.

When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit https://gtwealthguide.com/federal-blueprint to request a personalized Federal Retirement Plan and schedule a call.

We'll map out your federal benefits, TSP, Social Security, and tax plan on one page so you can retire from federal service without guessing.

Deciding whether to add Medicare Part B on top of your FEHB in retirement can feel like a guessing game. In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, Tom Poltersdorf, CFP®, walks you through a simple, practical framework to decide what makes sense for your situation as a federal employee. You'll learn how Medicare and FEHB coordinate, when Part B tends to improve predictability and provider choice, and when delaying Part B is perfectly reasonable.

We'll also cover key cost drivers like Part B premiums, IRMAA surcharges based on your income from two years ago, and how your exact FEHB plan handles cost‑sharing when Medicare is primary. Plus, we'll touch on HSAs and the timing traps that can create accidental excess contributions if you're not careful.

When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit https://gtwealthguide.com/federal-blueprint to request a personalized Federal Retirement Plan and schedule a call.

We'll map out your federal benefits, TSP, Social Security, and tax plan on one page so you can retire from federal service without guessing.

If you're a federal employee, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can stack on top of your other income, push you into higher tax brackets, and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges two years later. The result: surprise tax bills and higher Part B and Part D premiums just when you thought you were "done" working.

In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, Tom Poltersdorf, CFP®, walks you through three legal moves you can use in 2025 to keep more of your money. You'll learn how RMD timing works (including the "two in one year" trap), why the Roth side of your TSP is treated differently, how to use planned Roth conversions to shrink future forced withdrawals, and how Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can let you give to charity without raising your income.

When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit https://gtwealthguide.com/federal-blueprint to request a personalized Federal Retirement Plan and schedule a call.

We'll map out your federal benefits, TSP, Social Security, and tax plan on one page so you can retire from federal service without guessing.

After a short break from publishing, I'm back with a big update. My business and my planning work have become increasingly focused on helping federal employees make confident retirement decisions, and it's time for the podcast to reflect that. In this short episode, I share why I'm narrowing the focus, what's changing, and what you can expect from the new direction.

Going forward, this show will be called Confident Federal Retirement. We'll break down FERS and CSRS pensions, TSP, Social Security, taxes, and healthcare in plain English so you can retire from federal service without guessing. If you're not a federal employee, some episodes will still be helpful as you approach retirement, and you're absolutely welcome to keep listening.

When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit https://gtwealthguide.com/federal-blueprint to request a personalized Federal Retirement Plan and schedule a call.

We'll map out your federal benefits, TSP, Social Security, and tax plan on one page so you can retire from federal service without guessing.

Do you need help planning your retirement? → See How We Can Help

How ready are you to retire? → Get Your Retirement Readiness Score

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Are you a business owner looking to build wealth and lower your tax bill? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about setting up a 401(k) retirement plan for small businesses including how to choose between a Traditional 401(k) and Safe Harbor 401(k).

You'll learn how to leverage the 2025 contribution limits, automate your savings strategy, and avoid costly mistakes with the help of a Third-Party Administrator (TPA).

Key Topics Covered:

• Common myths about 401(k) plans for entrepreneurs and small business owners

• Safe Harbor 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k): pros, cons, and compliance differences

• 2025 401(k) contribution limits and how to maximize them

• The role of TPAs in managing and optimizing your plan

• How to automate your retirement investing strategy

Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or have a growing team, this episode is your guide to creating a tax-advantaged retirement plan that helps secure your financial future without relying solely on selling your business.

Do you need help planning your retirement? → See How We Can Help

How ready are you to retire? → Get Your Retirement Readiness Score

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Thinking about selling your HVAC business? Here are the 4 things buyers are looking for before they'll pay top dollar. Most owners leave hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table simply because they don't know what buyers are really looking for.

In this video, I'll break down the 4 proven strategies that can help you sell your HVAC company for maximum profit and avoid the mistakes that destroy deals.

You'll learn:

• Why "getting out of the van" can double your sale price
• How maintenance agreements boost your business valuation
• The truth about clean financials and why they matter
• Why most buyers avoid businesses focused on new construction

Whether you're planning to sell soon or just want to build a more valuable HVAC business, this episode will help you create an exit strategy that actually pays off.

Do you need help planning your retirement? → See How We Can Help

How ready are you to retire? → Get Your Retirement Readiness Score

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If you're a business owner in your 50s or 60s thinking about selling your company, this is for you. After working with tons of business owners as a Certified Financial Planner and Exit Planning Advisor, I've seen a pattern. People hit retirement and suddenly wish they had made a few key moves way earlier.

Today I'm sharing the top 5 things business owners consistently tell me they wish they'd done at 60, so you don't make the same mistakes.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Why guessing your business value could cost you millions
• How saving outside your business gives you way more flexibility
• The tax planning moves that can save you a fortune (but take years to set up)
• What to do now so you don't feel lost after you sell
• How to avoid family drama by getting everyone on the same page early

Selling your business is a big deal, financially and emotionally. These lessons come straight from the real-life experiences of other owners who've been through it.

Do you need help planning your retirement? → See How We Can Help

How ready are you to retire? → Get Your Retirement Readiness Score

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A lot of business owners dream about selling their business and retiring, but not everyone is truly ready. In this video, I'll walk you through 7 critical questions to determine if you're prepared for a smooth and profitable exit.

If you can confidently say YES to all of these, you're on the right track. If not, don't worry, I'll provide actionable insights on what you can do next!

Do you need help planning your retirement? → See How We Can Help

How ready are you to retire? → Get Your Retirement Readiness Score

Watch our Free Retirement Planning videos

Mark sold his business at 60 and walked away with $850,000. A year later, he was filled with regret.

Why?

Because like many business owners, he didn't plan beyond the sale. In this episode, I walk you through the four major pitfalls that caused Mark's retirement to unravel and how you can avoid the same costly mistakes.

Whether you're planning to exit in one year or five, understanding these critical areas could save you from a million-dollar mistake.