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Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, empowers federal employees to make confident decisions as they plan for the days when they no longer have to work. Chris' candid and straightforward nature allows employees to get the answers they need, and to understand the impact these decisions have on their retirement.
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Welcome to Federal Retirement Experts, your definitive source for navigating the complexities of federal retirement planning. Hosted by Retirement Coach Gregory Jameson, the Vice President of Federal Retirement Experts, our podcast serves federal employees across the nation, offering expert insights into the specific nuances of federal benefits and retirement planning. At Federal Retirement Experts, we take pride in the comprehensive guidance we provide, focusing on a smooth, comfortable pla ...
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, lays out the 8 planning principles that can help federal employees take control of their financial future Key takeaways: The timing of when you’re taking action The decision making process (and what happens if you don’t make decisions) Taking ownership of your futureDi Chris Kowalik - ProFeds
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Some federal employees will have the option to take a phased retirement, which will allow them to continue working in a smaller capacity while a replacement is brought on. Who is eligible for a phased retirement and what financial considerations need to be discussed before deciding if it’s a good option for you? Here’s some of what we discuss in th…
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The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for federal employees plays a crucial role in retirement planning, and it’s important to understand your options and the best ways to utilize the account. Whether you're diligently working towards retirement or already considering your income streams post-career, the TSP is a pillar you can't afford to overlook. Here’s…
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Today we have a special show for you as we welcome on one of our clients to talk about their experience preparing for retirement with Federal Retirement Experts. Kathy is a park ranger with the National Park Services and just two months from retirement. She’s been working with Gregory and FRE to prepare for the next chapter of her life, which will …
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the recent updates ProFeds has made to its website and resources for federal employees. Key takeaways: We have a bigger message to share with federal employees preparing to retire, We embrace growth and change, so we continue to bring you helpful tools and resources, We want to give…
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Are you prepared for what lies ahead? The future is unpredictable, but what if you could secure your golden years with long-term care insurance? It’s not something we want to think about, but it’s important to make sure you’re covered and your family is taken care of if this long-term care is ever needed for you. This episode is loaded with everyth…
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The complexities of retirement planning and insurance coverage often present a challenge for federal employees. Among these complexities is Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) and the different types of policies that are available. This is an important benefit for federal employees so we want to help you understand all of your options and…
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If you're a federal employee approaching retirement, understanding your survivor benefits and the impact of your choices on your future is crucial. Survivor benefits in federal retirement are not just a financial issue, they also play a vital role in securing healthcare for your spouse in retirement. This episode offers an in-depth exploration of t…
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A career as a federal employee provides flexibility when it comes to picking a retirement date, but there are some key considerations you need to make if your goal is to retire early. Today we want to walk you through some of the conversations we have with federal employees when we help them determine a retirement date. There are a range of ages th…
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We’re excited to welcome you to the first episode of the podcast and the start of a new opportunity for us to help educate federal employees who are beginning to think about retirement and everything that goes into that process. To get things started, we wanted to lay a foundation for what’s to come on the Federal Retirement Experts Show by introdu…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares Super Bowl insights and what that has to do with your retirement from federal service. Key takeaways: What to do when you find yourself as the “underdog” How to keep your head in the game and be “In it to Win it?” When your play calling becomes a crucial element of your game strategy Who to rely on for guidanc…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, shares how taking these steps early can help you to retire with financial confidence. Key takeaways: NUMBERS: what facts and figures need to be on your radar TIMELINE: what does your retirement countdown look like ADVANTAGES: what unique decisions are available to you to give you an unfair advantage over your peers M…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, talks about three areas where federal employees need to pay special attention to when they’re requesting and reviewing the retirement estimate from their agency: ACCURATE: are the numbers right? COMPLETE: are all the numbers and options there (even just for your federal benefits)? ENOUGH: is the information presented…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses how your mindset may shift on you when the TSP takes a tumble. Key takeaways: Different stages of your investment journey (and how it changes your perspective on loss) Assessing your risk tolerance as it relates to your TSP How long it takes to recoup your money after a down market Highlights the #1 problem…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses how playing both offense and defense can help federal employees to retire ready. OFFENSE: Increasing the money you have to live the retirement you want DEFENSE: Protecting that money from others who want to take it from you BIG QUESTION: Are you playing to win, or are you playing to not lose?…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses the legitimate frustrations that federal employees have felt about the TSP's recent transition to its new platform – and how feds can protect themselves despite TSP's errors.Di Chris Kowalik - ProFeds
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the 3 key professionals federal employees should have in their corner as they prepare to retire – and how to get started.Di Chris Kowalik - ProFeds
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals common "rules of thumb" and why federal employees are persuaded to follow them – and what to do instead.Di Chris Kowalik - ProFeds
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, offers insights into where federal employees should not be seeking advice from – and where to go instead. Key takeaways: The difference between “seeking information” and “seeking advice” The 5 government entities where feds should never go to for advice Where feds should go when seeking advice on strategy to maximize…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, gives the simple formula to know if federal retirees might work themselves right out of the Special Retirement Supplement if they have a job after leaving federal service. Key takeaways: General overview of how the SRS program works The “earnings test” applied and what happens if you make too much money We’ll cover a…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals why high COLAs actually mean less money in the pockets of federal retirees. Key takeaways: How the Cost of Living Adjustments are calculated When COLAs are announced each year and when they go into effect Why high COLAs aren’t considered “good” when you know what it actually means The real consequences of hig…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews FEGLI Option C coverage and what happens when you no longer have eligible family members who are covered. Key takeaways: Brief overview of FEGLI Option C What causes eligible family members to become ineligible for coverage How to get this coverage fixed with your agency How to get a refund of erroneous premi…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, covers the 3 rules that federal employees must follow to be allowed to keep their health benefits (FEHB) in retirement. Key takeaways: Focuses solely on how YOU (the fed) can keep FEHB in retirement A breakdown of the 3 rules you must meet to be eligible How feds married to other feds can switch up their plans How fe…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reveals the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2. Key takeaways: What the rules are for when you may take money from TSP What triggers a penalty for some federal employees taking funds prior to age 59 1/2 How to avoid the penalty based on whe…
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ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses why goal setting can leave federal employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. She gives real-world examples of how to break down goals into manageable steps. Key takeaways: Why most people hate new year’s resolutions How to intentionally create steps into your goals to build momentum How (and from where)…
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