FedImpact: Candid Insights for Your Federal Retirement

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses the legitimate frustrations that federal employees have felt about the TSP's recent transition to its new platform – and how feds can protect themselves despite TSP's errors.

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the 3 key professionals federal employees should have in their corner as they prepare to retire – and how to get started.

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals common "rules of thumb" and why federal employees are persuaded to follow them – and what to do instead.

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, offers insights into where federal employees should not be seeking advice from – and where to go instead.

Key takeaways:

• The difference between "seeking information" and "seeking advice"
• The 5 government entities where feds should never go to for advice
• Where feds should go when seeking advice on strategy to maximize their financial situation

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, gives the simple formula to know if federal retirees might work themselves right out of the Special Retirement Supplement if they have a job after leaving federal service.

Key takeaways:

• General overview of how the SRS program works
• The "earnings test" applied and what happens if you make too much money
• We'll cover a few examples (and give you an easy formula to figure this out for yourself)
• An overlooked element of the SRS earnings test that can be your silver lining

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals why high COLAs actually mean less money in the pockets of federal retirees.

Key takeaways:

• How the Cost of Living Adjustments are calculated
• When COLAs are announced each year and when they go into effect
• Why high COLAs aren't considered "good" when you know what it actually means
• The real consequences of high COLAs and the spiral effect it can have on your retirement assets

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews FEGLI Option C coverage and what happens when you no longer have eligible family members who are covered.

Key takeaways:

• Brief overview of FEGLI Option C
• What causes eligible family members to become ineligible for coverage
• How to get this coverage fixed with your agency
• How to get a refund of erroneous premiums paid

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, covers the 3 rules that federal employees must follow to be allowed to keep their health benefits (FEHB) in retirement.

Key takeaways:

• Focuses solely on how YOU (the fed) can keep FEHB in retirement
• A breakdown of the 3 rules you must meet to be eligible
• How feds married to other feds can switch up their plans
• How feds who have time under TRICARE can use that time to meet FEHB's "5-year" rule

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2.

Key takeaways:

• What the rules are for when you may take money from TSP
• What triggers a penalty for some federal employees taking funds prior to age 59 1/2
• How to avoid the penalty based on when or how you take money
• The bigger impact a penalty like this has on your TSP account

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses why goal setting can leave federal employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. She gives real-world examples of how to break down goals into manageable steps.

Key takeaways:

• Why most people hate new year's resolutions
• How to intentionally create steps into your goals to build momentum
• How (and from where) to measure progress