Episodios

  • How to Maximize Your FERS Benefits in 2026 (Pension, TSP, Social Security & FEHB)

    How to Maximize Your FERS Benefits in 2026 (Pension, TSP, Social Security & FEHB)
    Feb 6 2026
    Federal employees have some of the best retirement benefits available, but only if you know how to use them correctly. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair walks through how to maximize your FERS benefits in 2026 by coordinating the five pillars of your federal retirement: your pension, TSP, Social Security, Special Retirement Supplement, and health and insurance benefits.

    Many federal retirees unintentionally leave income or coverage on the table simply because they do not understand how these benefits work together. This episode is designed to replace confusion with clarity and help you make confident decisions before you file your retirement paperwork.

    You will learn:

    • How to determine if you qualify for a full, unreduced federal pension
    • When the 1.1% pension multiplier applies and whether working longer is worth it
    • How much to realistically save in the TSP, even if you are late in your career
    • Why being too conservative in the G or F Fund can increase long-term risk
    • How to think about Roth vs Traditional TSP contributions in today’s tax environment
    • How to coordinate Social Security with the FERS Supplement and spousal benefits
    • What you must do to keep FEHB into retirement
    • How to approach FEGLI as costs rise with age

    Andrew also explains why a personalized Federal Benefit Report is the most important step you can take before retiring, helping you see your benefits clearly before you check the boxes that cannot be undone. If you are a FERS or CSRS employee planning to retire in 2026 or beyond, this episode will help you protect what you have worked decades to earn.

    Schedule your complimentary Discovery Visit using the link below: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more weekly guidance on federal retirement planning

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    19 m
  • Best Ways to Withdraw from Your TSP in Retirement

    Best Ways to Withdraw from Your TSP in Retirement
    Jan 30 2026
    If you’re a federal employee or retiree, understanding how and when to withdraw from your TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) can make a significant difference in your retirement outcome. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of Swan Capital, breaks down the rules, strategies, and common mistakes around TSP withdrawals that federal employees need to avoid. You’ll learn:
    • When you can actually start taking penalty-free withdrawals from your TSP (including the key differences for regular, special provision, and early retirees)
    • The critical impact of state and federal taxes on your withdrawals—and why where you live in retirement still matters
    • How to choose between monthly, lump sum, or annuity options, and why most federal retirees should avoid the “one-size-fits-all” TSP annuity
    • The pros and cons of each withdrawal method, including how RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) work and why strategic timing matters
    • Why a careful income plan is vital to ensure your pension, Social Security, and TSP withdrawals work together—not at cross-purposes
    • The benefits of letting your Roth TSP compound, coordinating withdrawals with a CPA and financial planner, and common pitfalls like pushing yourself into higher Medicare premium brackets
    Andrew also explains how smart planning around TSP contributions, Roth vs. Traditional strategies, and relocation timing can dramatically improve how much you keep, not just how much you earn.

    Bottom line: You don’t spend gross income in retirement - you spend net. If you want personalized guidance, our team includes financial planners, a CPA, and an estate planning attorney, all under one roof, serving federal employees nationwide.

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more episodes breaking down federal retirement benefits in plain English.


    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    13 m
  • States Don’t Tax Federal Pensions

    States Don’t Tax Federal Pensions
    Jan 16 2026
    If you’re a federal employee or retiree covered under FERS or CSRS, where you live in retirement can make a six-figure difference over time. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital, breaks down which states do not tax federal pensions and why taxes alone should never be the only factor when deciding where to retire. You’ll learn:
    • Which states currently do not tax FERS and CSRS pensions
    • How state taxes quietly erode your retirement income over time
    • Why cost of living, healthcare access, and community matter just as much as tax savings
    • How relocating could help your TSP stretch further—or even allow you to retire earlier
    • Common mistakes federal retirees make when choosing a “tax-friendly” state
    Andrew also explains how smart planning around TSP contributions, Roth vs. Traditional strategies, and relocation timing can dramatically improve how much you keep, not just how much you earn.

    Bottom line: You don’t spend gross income in retirement - you spend net. If you want personalized guidance, our team includes financial planners, a CPA, and an estate planning attorney, all under one roof, serving federal employees nationwide.

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more episodes breaking down federal retirement benefits in plain English.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    12 m
  • Top 7 TSP Mistakes to Avoid

    Top 7 TSP Mistakes to Avoid
    Jan 9 2026
    Federal employees work hard for their retirement, but simple TSP mistakes can quietly cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital, walks through the seven most common TSP mistakes federal employees make and how to avoid them. Whether you’re covered under FERS or CSRS, this episode will help you:
    • Understand why default TSP settings may not serve you long-term
    • Avoid bad advice from “water-cooler experts” and unqualified sources
    • Balance risk properly as retirement approaches
    • Protect your TSP from inflation, emotional decisions, and over-monitoring
    • Ensure your TSP beneficiaries are correctly set (and why this matters more than your will)
    • Align your future contributions with your long-term investment strategy
    Most importantly, you’ll learn what to do if you’ve already made some of these mistakes and how they can often be fixed. This episode is educational, practical, and designed to give federal employees peace of mind as they move closer to retirement.

    Subscribe for more education designed specifically for federal employees.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    15 m
  • Panicked and Moved to the G Fund? What Federal Employees Should Do Next

    Panicked and Moved to the G Fund? What Federal Employees Should Do Next
    Dec 31 2025
    Market volatility can make even the most disciplined federal employee second-guess their TSP strategy.

    If you panicked and moved your money into the G Fund or F Fund, you’re not alone — and you’re not beyond recovery.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital and son of a CSRS employee, explains what to do after the panic move. You’ll learn why trying to time the market often backfires, how inflation quietly erodes G Fund safety, and how federal employees can thoughtfully re-enter the market without betting on perfect timing.
    Andrew breaks down complex concepts like:
    • Why missing just a few market days can derail long-term returns

    • How tools like the Shiller P/E Ratio and the Buffett Indicator provide context (not predictions)

    • A disciplined dollar-cost-averaging approach for getting back on track

    • How emotional investing impacts both DIY investors and professionals


    This episode is designed to educate, reassure, and restore confidence — especially if fear, headlines, or past market pain pushed you to the sidelines.

    Perfect for FERS and CSRS employees wondering:
    “Did I just hurt my retirement… and how do I fix it?”

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    14 m
  • Getting the Most from Your Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

    Getting the Most from Your Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
    Dec 31 2025
    Federal Employees: FEGLI may be one of your most valuable benefits, or one of your most misunderstood.

    In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair walks you through how Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) really works and how to make smarter decisions for your family, your income plan, and your retirement.

    You’ll learn:

    • What FEGLI is (and what it is not)

    • How Basic, Option A, Option B, and Option C work

    • When FEGLI makes sense—and when private insurance may be better

    • How FEGLI costs change with age and retirement

    • The rules for keeping FEGLI after you retire

    • Why beneficiary reviews are critical

    • How FEGLI fits into survivor benefits and income planning


    Andrew also explains why FEGLI decisions should never be made in isolation and how they connect to your TSP, pension, Social Security, and overall retirement strategy.

    Next Step:

    If you want a personalized review of your FEGLI options, survivor benefits, and retirement income plan, schedule a complimentary Discovery visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation



    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    17 m
  • Four Times You Should Avoid the Roth TSP (Federal Employees)

    Four Times You Should Avoid the Roth TSP (Federal Employees)
    Dec 31 2025
    The Roth TSP is powerful, but it’s not always the right move.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains four times federal employees should seriously reconsider contributing to a Roth TSP, even though he personally loves Roth strategies.

    Covered in this episode:
    • High-income years and why Roth can backfire

    • Charitable giving and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

    • Peak earning years before retirement

    • Marriage, widowhood, and filing-status tax traps

    • How Roth vs. Traditional affects Medicare premiums and legacy planning


    If you’re a FERS or CSRS employee, this conversation will help you avoid common tax mistakes and make smarter TSP decisions based on your situation—not generic advice.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    15 m
  • Can You Move Your IRA or 401(k) Into the TSP? A Federal Employee Guide

    Can You Move Your IRA or 401(k) Into the TSP? A Federal Employee Guide
    Dec 31 2025
    Can you move an old 401(k), 403(b), or IRA into the Thrift Savings Plan? And more importantly, should you?

    In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital and son of a CSRS employee, walks federal employees through exactly how TSP rollovers work without the jargon or guesswork.

    You’ll learn:

    • Which retirement accounts can be moved into the TSP

    • Why Roth IRAs cannot be transferred

    • How to complete a rollover without triggering taxes

    • The pros and cons of consolidating into the TSP

    • When an IRA may offer more flexibility than the TSP


    Andrew also explains common mistakes he sees with multiple retirement accounts — including missed RMDs, outdated beneficiaries, and overlapping investments — and how consolidation can bring clarity heading into retirement.

    This episode is designed to help FERS and CSRS employees simplify their financial “junk drawer” and make confident decisions about their retirement strategy.
    Bottom line: Moving money into the TSP isn’t about right or wrong — it’s about aligning your accounts with your retirement income plan.

    To receive a personalized Federal Benefits Report, schedule a complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation



    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    13 m