Learn the Top 5 Pitfalls Federal Employees Must Avoid in 2026, so you can retire with confidence and keep more of the benefits you've worked so hard for.

In this episode of All About FERS, John Raleigh, CFP®, breaks down the biggest mistakes federal employees make when planning for retirement, many of which don't show up until it's too late.

Year-end is one of the most strategic times for Federal Employees to review their financial picture, retirement timeline, and tax exposure. In this episode, Micah Shilanski, CFP®, and John Raleigh, CFP®, walk you through the essential steps you should take before December 31st to stay on track and avoid costly mistakes in the new year.

As Micah says, "Small decisions at year-end can produce big results over the next 10 years."

This episode is your clear, simple, actionable guide to finishing the year strong and entering 2026 with clarity and confidence.

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Most federal employees are surprised to learn that up to 85% of their Social Security benefits may be taxable in retirement. In this episode, Floyd Shilanski explains how Social Security taxation really works, what counts as "provisional income," and why proper planning is essential to avoid unexpected tax bills.

This is a critical part of federal retirement tax planning, and the earlier you understand it, the better prepared you'll be.

That is why this video is a must-watch for anyone preparing to retire under FERS.

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Most federal employees never take advantage of one of the best tax-saving tools available to them: the Health Savings Account (HSA). In today's episode, Christian breaks down why HSAs are one of the most powerful and underutilized benefits in the FEHB system.

Have you ever wondered how to avoid running out of money in retirement?

In this episode of All About FERS, Certified Financial Planner™ John Raleigh breaks down practical withdrawal strategies for your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) so you can enjoy retirement without worrying about outliving your savings.

In this episode of Plan Your Federal Retirement, Jamie C. Shilanski, RFC®, talks about one of the most stressful situations federal employees face: a furlough.

Whether this is your first or fifth time experiencing one, Jamie breaks down practical, real-world strategies to help you stay financially stable, protect your benefits, and make smart decisions while waiting for Washington to get back to work.

From building your "911" emergency account to understanding how your FEHB premiums, retroactive pay, and TSP contributions are affected, this episode is all about controlling the controllables.

If you've ever wondered how to prepare for or survive a furlough with confidence, this episode is for you.

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For many federal employees, deciding when to retire is one of the biggest financial and emotional choices you will ever face.

In this All About FERS episode, Christian breaks down both the financial math and emotional reality of delaying retirement by just one year.

Thinking about taking a VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) offer? Before you decide, make sure you understand the benefits and pitfalls that come with it.

In this episode, John breaks down:

✅ What VERA early retirement really means
✅ Who qualifies - and when it's offered
✅ The big advantages, like keeping your FEHB and avoiding layoffs
✅ The hidden traps, like lower pensions, delayed FERS supplements, and potential TSP penalties

Whether VERA is a great opportunity or a financial trap depends entirely on your situation, and understanding the fine print could save your retirement.