Just eleven days until this year's federal open season. When federal employees choose their health benefits insurance provider for the coming year. More people skip the homework, looking at plans to see if its worth switching. But you should take the time, especially since so many plans are more costly next year. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman and I went over a list of considerations with Kevin Moss, editor of the Checkbook Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees. Starting with the starting point.

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Lots of federal employees like to pin their retirements to the end of the year. It makes for nice closure on a career. But if you mean this year, there's no time to lose. Retirement is all about the planning you do ahead of time. I got the lowdown from one of the top retirement planning experts, Tammy Flanagan.

Plus, people concerned with the federal workforce and government operations generally are wondering. If he returns to office, would former President Donald Trump bring back Schedule F. That was his plan to turn certain senior career civil service employees to essentially political appointees. Earlier I spoke with one long-time observer who's worried, Washington attorney George Chuzi.

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After a long road of trying to improve workforce morale, the Social Security Administration finally appears to be turning a corner. For the first time in years, SSA employees’ views on employee engagement, satisfaction and agency leadership are all trending positively, according to SSA’s results of the 2024 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). The agency also got a 70% response rate on the survey this year. I got more from Dustin Brown, SSA’s chief operating officer and acting chief of staff, and SSA Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources Kristen Medley-Proctor.

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No doubt you've heard. Price hikes for health insurance for federal employees coming next year. Big ones. Open season is coming soon, so it all brings lots of questions. For retirees, a smaller cost of living increase is likely. I got more from the vice president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, John Hatton.

Plus, federal employees looking to retire at the end of December have just a few months to get all their paperwork in order. But with a 14-page application form, there are plenty of little details they’ll need to think about sooner rather than later. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman got more from federal retiree Abe Grungold of AG financial services.

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When the stock market moves up and down, analysts always find one reason or another. Presidential elections, though, seem to consistently exert influence over market behavior. In other words, Kamala and Donald are affecting your thrift savings plan. More now from financial advisor Thiago Glieger.

Plus, anyone with a career, assets and perhaps a family needs a little estate planning. It might be arcane, but it matters unless you plan to live forever. Military service members sometimes have higher risks, so they need to think about estate planning too. For some tips, I spoke to the president and CEO of the Navy Mutual Aid Association, Brian Luther.

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The shine has dulled for CD's, certificates of deposit, that looked like great investment vehicles when interest rates were higher. Just rolling them over may not be such a great wealth-building strategy. We got some tips for dealing with CD's from wealth advisor Thiago Glieger.

Plus, the stock market is nothing if not exciting. Even in the swoons savvy investors find opportunity. If you have a Thrift Savings Plan account, such an opportunity might be the F Fund. For analysis, we turned to certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.

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It's taken a generation, but now federal benefits have become available for first responders harmed during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The money was authorized in last year's National Defense Authorization bill. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joined me when we got details from attorney Michael Barasch of the law firm Barasch and McGarry.

Plus, can it be? The repeal of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset will actually happen? The WEP and GPO that hold back Social Security benefits for certain federal and other government employees? We get the latest from a leading advocate for repeal. From the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, John Hatton.

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Our theme today is not only what you earn and save, but what you leave behind. Anyone with a career, assets and perhaps a family needs a little estate planning. It might be arcane, but it matters unless you plan to live forever. That's why shrewd federal employees spend a lot of time ensuring not only that they'll have enough money to retire, but also to benefit heirs or organizations such as favored charities. Too often, though, they don't spend enough effort on the legal documents needed to protect a modern estate. Here with a few important reminders, wealth advisor Thiago Glieger.

Plus, we continue with today's theme of estate planning and what happens after you're gone. Military service members sometimes have higher risks, so they need to think about estate planning too. For some tips, we turn to the president and CEO of the Navy Mutual Aid Association, Brian Luther.

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To young service members, the idea of building wealth might seem like a pipe dream. They don't earn much and often have high borrowing and housing costs. But it's never too early to start. For some pointers, we turn to the president of the Navy Mutual Aid Association, retired Navy admiral. Brian Luther.

Plus, it's one thing to apply for your federal retirement. It's something else again to, well, do it right. Retirement brings a lot of elements into play, such as when to apply for Social Security, or how to actually get your Thrift Savings Plan funds. Joining us with a checklist, Retire Federal's Tammy Flanagan.

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When the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board rolled out a new system for managing the TSP back in 2022, it didn't go well. Account holders encountered a web site that barely functioned and long wait times for help. Now the Government Accountability Office has released findings on what went wrong even as most, but not all, of the problems are fixed. The director of information technology and cybersecurity at the GAO, Jennifer Franks, earlier joined me in studio.

Plus, its web site provides the front door to the Thrift Savings Plans for most federal employees. The Board that runs the TSP contracted for many updates and improvements. As we heard earlier, in 2022 the new portal had a rocky start. How's it doing now? TSP millionaire Abe Grungold ran it through it paces.

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