How do you know if you're truly on track for retirement? And what should you be doing differently at 30, 40, 50… or just six months from leaving federal service? In this episode, John and Tommy break down retirement readiness by life stage, exploring the financial, tax, investment, insurance, and estate planning decisions that matter at different points in your career.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Could a single dollar cost you hundreds more in Medicare premiums? In this mailbag episode, we answer some of the most common retirement planning questions from listeners, beginning with how to avoid IRMAA surcharges and why Medicare planning really starts at age 63. You'll learn how strategies like Roth conversions, bracket-topping, and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) work and why every strategy should be tailored to your individual financial plan.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What questions do federal employees need answered before making major retirement decisions? In this mailbag episode, John and Tommy tackle listener questions about the FERS annuity supplement, Social Security taxes, Social Security claiming strategies, and retirement income planning. You'll learn how returning to work after retirement can impact your supplement, how to manage Social Security tax withholding, and why retirement decisions require more than a simple one-size-fits-all answer.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What really happens behind the scenes after 350+ client meetings in just six weeks—and what do those conversations reveal about how people are thinking about money, life, and the future? John and Tommy wrapped up their 2026 Strategic Planning Meeting season earlier this quarter, and in this episode, they are going over some of the top questions their federal employee clients asked.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Saving for retirement is only half the battle; knowing how to get your money out without getting burned by taxes or rigid rules is where things get complicated. In this episode, John and Tommy dive deep into the specific Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) mistakes that are rarely talked about but can cost federal employees thousands. From the operational headaches of unfair tax withholdings to the danger of default account selections, they share exactly how to maintain control of your wealth.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Are you maximizing the true value of your federal benefits, or are you unintentionally leaving money on the table? In this special episode, John and Tommy present an updated version of a classic seminar originally created by the firm's founders in the 1990s—now made current for 2026. They break down the unique complexities of the FERS system and expose the critical blind spots that often lead federal employees to make major, irreversible retirement mistakes.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What happens when the financial plan you created five years ago no longer matches the life you're living today? In this episode, John and Tommy explore why great financial planning is never static and how the best plans evolve alongside career changes, unexpected opportunities, market shifts, retirement decisions, and personal goals. Through real-life client stories, they break down how ongoing financial planning relationships help people confidently navigate uncertainty, major career transitions, and complex financial decisions.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What should federal employees actually do with their life insurance, and when does FEGLI stop making sense? In this episode, John and Tommy break down everything you need to know about Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), including Basic coverage, Options A, B, and C, and how these choices evolve throughout your career and into retirement. You'll learn how FEGLI pricing really works, why Option B becomes expensive over time, and when it might make sense to explore term life insurance instead.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• FEFP: Why Federal Employees Can't Afford to Ignore Insurance with Broc Buckles (EP98)
• Term4Sale.com
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What really happens after you accept a Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) offer—and how do you know if it was the right move? In this episode, you'll learn what federal employees experienced on the other side of DRP, from emotional uncertainty to financial outcomes, and why preparation made all the difference. The conversation breaks down how DRP worked, who it benefited most, and what to expect if similar opportunities arise in the future.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Ben Raikes: LinkedIn

Do you actually understand how recent tax changes could impact your financial plan? In this episode, we break down several important tax topics, including Trump accounts, Virginia tax changes, Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and estimated tax payments. Tax laws are constantly changing, and what seems permanent today may change with the next administration, which is why tax planning should always be part of a long-term financial strategy.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Ben Raikes: LinkedIn