Federal employees and spouses often hear the phrase: "It's an inheritance, so it's tax-free." But is that actually true? In this FERS Federal Fact Check episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, breaks down a common misunderstanding around inherited money, estate taxes, and taxable retirement accounts.

Find out why "no inheritance tax" does not always mean "no taxes," and how inherited accounts could affect your retirement income, tax bracket, and long-term planning decisions. Check out the full article on our website: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/did-you-just-inherit-a-tax-problem?utm_medium=social&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=fffc-26-0527

Are you accidentally putting your retirement at risk? In this week's episode, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down a common mistake we see: treating retirement accounts like an ATM without a clear plan. The result? Unexpected taxes, market timing risks, and potential strain on long-term financial independence Need professional help with your retirement planning? Schedule a call today: https://zurl.co/AiAC Visit our website: https://zurl.co/ykNww

What happens if your TSP beneficiary isn't who you thought it was? This is a situation we've seen more often than you might expect, and it can create real issues for your family if not addressed in advance. If you're within 5–10 years of retirement, this is one area you don't want to overlook. Want help reviewing your retirement plan? Schedule a conversation with a professional to walk through your options and support more informed decision-making: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/schedule-your-personal-consultation/utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals!

Are your retirement decisions guided by your own goals, or are they influenced by headlines, ads, and market noise?

In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Floyd Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, break down how external influences can impact financial decision-making, often without you even realizing it. From chasing last year's top-performing investments to reacting to market volatility, they explain how these behaviors can affect long-term retirement outcomes.

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What happens if your FERS retirement paperwork is delayed, or you can't follow up after submitting your application?

In this episode of FERS Federal Fact Check, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner, Wealth Advisor, walks through what federal employees can do if their retirement application feels stuck in the system. From locating your CSA number to reconnecting with OPM and understanding potential delays, this video breaks down practical next steps. Learn more and read the full breakdown here: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/fers-paperwork-lost-or-delayed-steps-to-get-back-on-track?utm_medium=social&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=fffc-26-0429

Many federal employees care deeply about charitable giving, but the way you give can really affect your taxes. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down strategies that may help you make more tax-efficient charitable contributions, based on current IRS rules. They cover practical concepts like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, and how standard vs. itemized deductions can affect your overall tax picture. The goal is simple: help you better understand the rules so you can make more informed retirement decisions. If you want to help make sure you take the right step while handling your federal benefits, schedule a consultation call with one of our advisors today - https://zurl.co/PWkw

Can contributing to a 401(k) help protect your FERS Special Retirement Supplement? Many people assume this, but the rules don't always work the way federal employees expect. In this FERS Federal Fact Check, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, answers a listener's question and walks you through how the earnings test applies to your supplement and why certain strategies, like increasing 401(k) contributions, may not reduce the impact. Working after retirement may reduce your supplement depending on your earnings. Understanding how income is measured can help you avoid unexpected changes to your retirement income. Tune in and find out: - How the FERS Special Retirement Supplement works - What the earnings test is and how it applies - Why 401(k) contributions don't reduce counted income - What types of income are included (and excluded) - Planning considerations if you expect to work in retirement 👉 Learn more and read the full breakdown here: Have a retirement question on your mind? Give us a call at 907-931-1775 and leave us your question - we're here to help create solutions that fit your goals! ➡️We have had hundreds of federal employees ask us to discuss the TSP more in-depth so that they can stop "emotionally trading" their accounts. Get our FREE guide and find out the details about your TSP AFTER retirement - https://zurl.co/R3RYd Happy Planning!

Understanding how to withdraw from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a critical part of retirement planning for federal employees. While many spend decades building their TSP balance, the decisions made at retirement, especially around distributions. can have a lasting impact on income, flexibility, and long-term outcomes.

In this episode, Micah Shilanski walks through several common TSP withdrawal options, including systematic withdrawals, life expectancy-based payments, partial rollovers, and annuity elections. He explains how each option works, highlights potential trade-offs, and outlines considerations federal employees may want to evaluate before making a decision.

In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down one of the most common and potentially costly investment questions federal employees ask: "Should I wait for the market to drop before investing?" They walk through real-life examples of missed opportunities, explain why market timing often fails in practice, and outline practical strategies for navigating volatility, especially for those approaching or already in retirement. The focus: having written investment rules, a distribution strategy, and a plan for when (not if) markets decline. If you are a fresh retiree or nearing retirement, this episode is for you! https://zurl.co/uNeKt

Federal employees often wonder:

"If I delay Social Security and pass away before starting benefits, what happens to my spouse?"

The answer depends on Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and your specific situation. It's also important to know that Social Security survivor benefits and FERS survivor annuity elections are separate, each with their own rules.

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