Your Turn with Mike Causey

On this episode, Nicole Ogrysko, who covers workforce issues on the Hill, outlines the changes feds and retirees may be facing and talks about what the Democratic take-over of the House might mean for plans to curtail your retirement benefits. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EDT at www.federalnewsnetwork.com and on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C., area.

After significant declines during the fourth quarter of 2018, TSP funds rebounded during the first three months of this year. Patience has its reward, according to Washington, D.C.-area financial planner Arthur Stein. Many of his clients are retired feds. Several of them are TSP millionaires who did it by long-term investing without reacting to the market’s ups and downs. On this episode, he explains how a "safe" investment could be a higher risk in the long-term. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

Benefits expert Tammy Flanagan, who first came up with the best-dates-to-retire concept, says feds under FERS also need to consider Social Security. It will be one of the three legs of their imaginary retirement stool which also includes the FERS benefit plus the TSP. Tammy literally has all the answers.

The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EDT at www.federalnewsnetwork.com or on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C., area.

On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we have two expert guests to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed changes. Tom Burger, executive director of the Professional Managers Association, explains what each one would cost individual workers and retirees. Former federal executive Jeff Neal discusses the need for some prospective reforms in the retirement program to save money and also recognize ever-increasing job mobility in the federal government. Listen to Your Turn live at 10 a.m. EDT on www.federalnewsnetwork.com or 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

Retirement, is it time for you and if so, are you ready? It’s a timely question because the chaos caused by the shutdown — back pay and retirement claims delayed — has some people questioning how much longer they want to stick around. John Grobe, president of Federal Career Experts discusses how to prepare for retirement on this episode of the Your Turn Radio show. Listen live Wednesday's at 10 a.m. on www.federalnewsnetwork.com or 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

It’s probably safe to assume that hardly anybody (politicians notwithstanding) joins the government planning to become rich. But you could still be well on the way to millionaire status. On this episode, Mike speaks with tax and estate attorney Tom O’Rourke, a former IRS employee who has spent decades advising Washington-area feds in building, keeping and passing on estates to the people they want to get it. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

When they retire after a long career with Uncle Sam many FERS retirees hope for good health, long life and low-inflation. Not necessarily in that order. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) has introduced a bill that would take FERS retirees off their diet-COLA plan. On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we hear from NARFE's Staff Vice President for Advocacy Jessica Klement and Director of Legislative and Political Affairs John Hatton about the impact of the diet-COLA.

Even if Congress and the White House find a way to avoid another partial government shutdown there is another one coming that has your name on it — no escape. Do you have financial and medical powers of attorney in place? If so, are the persons you have selected to act as your agent still proper? And finally, have there been any events in your life — i.e. births, deaths, dementia, marriages, divorces and moves — that could have an impact on your estate plan or that you should at least discuss with your lawyer? On this episode, Tom O’Rourke, a former IRS attorney who now works exclusively on estate planning, tackles these questions. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

For the vast majority of federal workers investing in the Thrift Savings Plan is a must, period. Chances are it will provide anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of the income they have in retirement, which is a very big deal. It may be the difference between steak and hamburger or, worst case scenario, cat food. And you don’t have a cat! So if you have a TSP account what did you do in December when the high-flying stock market, after wobbling a couple months, dropped big time? On this episode, financial planner Arthur Stein talks us through the highs and lows of investing in the TSP. He has a number of federal clients including several who are TSP millionaires. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

Federal news Network reporters Nicole Ogrysko and Jory Heckman covered the shutdown from a variety of angles. On this episode of the Your Turn radio show they give their takes on why it happened, exactly what happened and what maybe happens next. Also, they share information on what your long-overdue paycheck will look like and when it will show up in your direct deposit. Your Turn airs live at 10 a.m. ET on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.