For most federal employees, your Thrift Savings Plan, or your TSP, is the largest bucket of money that you might have saved for your retirement. In some unique situations this might be your only source of reserves and income, and we will discuss how to think about this situation. Given the turmoil over the past few weeks over ongoing employment with the Federal government, we wanted to share a few thoughts about how to approach your TSP and what concerns need to be kept front and center. In this episode, we • Share our insights on how to think about your TSP allocation across funds. • Discuss how age and eligibility dictate access to your savings. • Offer some solutions on how to create safety in reserves. • Provide action items. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. Chapters: 1:00 INTRODUCTION 1:12 IS THE TSP ACCESSIBLE TO YOU? 3:42 TSP ALLOCATION 4:56 RESERVES 6:50 ACTION TEMS Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Referenced Links Ask Me Anything: DOGE & The Federal Workforce Webinar on March 13th: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6617410255158/WN_jRtcK8F9T3uIi82QdNH9Ug Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/xgAKqXR/Keepintouch TSP Loans: https://www.tsp.gov/tsp-loans/ Tax rules on TSP payments: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk26.pdf Taking money from your TSP account: https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/ OPM Website – Reductions in Force: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

If you are let go through a Reduction in Force and still want to be part of the federal workforce, you have options. Knowing those options before you are subject to a RIF can give you a head start with various positions that may be available within and outside the government. In this episode we… • Review the various programs available to you. • Share the specific guidelines you need to follow. • Offer critical action items you should consider starting today. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. Chapters 0:32 Special Webinar Invitation 3:05 Introduction 4:51 Reemployment Programs 16:21 Retraining Opportunities 17:16 Immediate Action Items Referenced Links Reemployment and Retraining Fact Sheet: https://valorwealthpartners.box.com/s/l2h4vlq47dgokf2qt7habpqdxa7en62b Ask Me Anything: DOGE & The Federal Workforce Webinar on March 13th: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6617410255158/WN_jRtcK8F9T3uIi82QdNH9Ug Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/xgAKqXR/Keepintouch OPM Website – Reductions in Force: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force Protect yourself by Building Reserves video: https://youtu.be/Mqdkd4I653k eOPF Download Instructions from Dept of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/Downloading%20Your%20eOPF.pdf Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

One of the best ways for federal employees to protect themselves during these uncertain times is to be financially strong. Understanding and building reserves is one of the critical steps to survive periods of financial uncertainty. In this episode, we • Share our insights on how to understand your expense categories. • Explore the different types of reserves that you might already have and how long might they last. • Provide options if your reserves are not going to last past a few months. • And if you cannot take a penalty free withdrawal from your TSP what options do you have? • Action items to ensure you are thinking about your reserves clearly. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:50 Know your expenses. 1:58 Know your reserves. 3:19 How long will reserves last? 4:35 Easy options for some Feds. 5:34 Feds with minimal reserves. 9:02 Action items. Referenced Links: TSP Loans: https://www.tsp.gov/tsp-loans/ Tax rules on TSP payments: https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspbk26.pdf Taking money from your TSP account: https://www.tsp.gov/taking-money-from-your-account/ Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

Being downgraded from any role is a horrible feeling. While there is no positive spin to make this better, you are protected by rules and by knowing them in advance, you can help to make sure you aren’t taken advantage of in a stressful moment. As a federal employee, these rules can last for years and the impact could be huge. In this episode we… • Review the rules of reassigning federal employees. • Share some of the benefits you are entitled to under a downgrade. • Discuss how a downgrade could affect severance pay. • Offer critical action items you should consider starting today. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:43 Introduction 2:51 Can My Agency Reassign Me? 4:25 Benefits for Downgraded Employees 8:01 How a Downgrade Could Affect Severance Pay 9:57 Immediate Action Items Referenced Links OPM Website – Reductions in Force: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force Qualifying and Calculating Severance Pay video: https://youtu.be/Uo5F6ypqyho Preparing for and Surviving a Government Shutdown video: https://youtu.be/asVV5WmZ8eY?si=pI2vOX_Rg6QmK17j eOPF Download Instructions from Dept of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/Downloading%20Your%20eOPF.pdf Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

“What did you do last week?” was the title of the email representing the latest attack on federal employees. After a threatening Post on X to federal employees per President Trump’s instructions, OPM sent the vague email with no clarification on their website of the specific actions needed, like they did with the “Fork in the Road” email. In this episode we… • Review the differences between what was sent in email and the post on X. • Discuss our concerns with this action • Share our guidance on how you should respond to the email. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:45 Introduction 1:02 The X Post and OPM Email 1:42 Differences Between X Post and OPM Email 2:32 Concerns 5:20 Our Recommended Response 8:18 If We Can’t Laugh, We will Cry From Everett Kelley AFGE National President, fond on Redit: Dear Supervisor, I received the below email today from a sender that was not within the agency or in my chain of command. Please provide me guidance on whether I am required to respond, and if so, how I should respond, by the end of my tour of duty on Monday. Please make sure to inform me of the type of information I should include in my response. If I am required to respond I will. I will assume that I have no obligation to respond to the email unless instructed to do so. Referenced Links Important message from AFGE regarding OPM email https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1iw08qd/important_message_from_afge_regarding_opm_email/?rdt=60959 Article on Just Security https://www.justsecurity.org/108229/what-just-happened-musk-email-federal-employees/ Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

You might be eligible for severance pay if you are involuntarily separated from federal service. You have to be careful not to violate the rules of eligibility. Beyond eligibility, you need to know how a temporary appointment can change your severance pay. In this episode we… • Review the rules to be eligible for severance pay. • Walk you through the Severance Pay Estimation Worksheet we created. • Discuss limitations of the program and how you might lose payments. • Offer critical action items you should consider starting today. CLARIFICATION IN VIDEO: It is stated that Basic Pay for the calculation does not include Locality Pay. Many LES have Basic Pay and Locality Pay separate with Adjusted Basic Pay as a third box adding both together. We suggest getting clarification from your HR to make sure the actual calculation is correct. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:43 Introduction 1:04 Severance Pay Eligibility 1:57 Severance Pay Calculation 4:53 Limitations and Payments 6:56 Walk through the Severance Pay Estimation Worksheet 10:31 Can My Severance Pay Stop? 13:25 Immediate Action Items To be eligible for severance pay, you must: 1. Not have refused an offer of a position that is a. i n the same commuting area, b. in the same agency, and c. no more than two grades below your current grade level. 2. In addition, you must have been employed for at least 12 continuous months, and cannot be eligible for an immediate annuity from a federal civilian retirement system or from the uniformed services. 3. Also, you must not be receiving workers' compensation benefits for wage loss due to an on-the-job injury. Severance Pay Calculation • Only civilian service is creditable for severance pay. • Entitled to 1 week's basic pay for each year of civilian service up through 10 years, • Plus 2 weeks' basic pay for each year of creditable service beyond 10 years. • In addition, an age adjustment allowance of 2.5 percent is added for each full quarter of a year you are over 40 years of age. Referenced Links Severance Pay Estimation Worksheet created by Valor Wealth Partners: https://valorwealthpartners.box.com/s/0l4qv6tpg20arxzyyxhptrj2mufjsnnq OPM Website – Reductions in Force: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force Preparing for and Surviving a Government Shutdown video: https://youtu.be/asVV5WmZ8eY?si=pI2vOX_Rg6QmK17j eOPF Download Instructions from Dept of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/Downloading%20Your%20eOPF.pdf Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

Over the last few weeks, federal employees across the country have been subject to many different types of offers in an effort by the administration to reduce the number of federal employees. We want to ensure you have a clear understanding of how your amazing federal health benefits might be impacted. Federal Employee Health Benefits, or FEHB, are an important part of your life. In this episode, we • Share our insights on how force reduction programs relax eligibility rules. • Discuss how a MRA + 10 and +20 are eligible for FEHB or health benefits. • Offer a few considerations if you realize you will not be covered by the federal health benefits program. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:55 Introduction 1:25 VERA and DSR 2:18 MRA+10 and +20 3:45 If not eligible, then what’s next? 5:16 Affordable Care Act 7:51 Action Items Referenced Links: OPM Website – FEHB for separated employees: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force/#url=Federal%20Employees%20Health%20Benefits%20Program%20(FEHBP) OPM Website – Basic FEHB eligibility: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/eligibility/ OPM Website – MRA chart: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/retire-faq/pre-retirement/what-is-a-minimum-retirement-age-mra-plus-10-annuity-under-the-federal-employees-retirement-system-fers/ Healthcare.gov website: ACA plans: https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/#/ Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners

If you get a RIF separation email, there are certain decisions you need to make and there are programs available to you. Knowing these options and being prepared beforehand can help you get back on your feet quicker. In this episode we… • Review the options surrounding retirement. • Discuss the programs available if a RIF happens to you. • Offer critical action items you should consider starting today. Welcome to Financial Planning 4 Feds. We are dedicated to educating federal employees on how to maximize value from their government benefits by developing and executing a financial plan. 0:29 Introduction 2:10 Qualifications for Retirement 11:07 Severance Pay Eligibility 13:26 Unemployment Compensation 14:15 Reemployment Programs 15:46 Immediate Action Items Reemployment Programs 1. Agency Career Transition Assistance Plans (CTAP) 2. Priority Placement Program (PPP) 3. Reemployment Priority List (RPL) 4. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) All Referenced Links OPM Website – Reductions in Force: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (UCFE) Fact Sheet: https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/docs/factsheet/UCFE_FactSheet.pdf Preparing for and Surviving a Government Shutdown video: https://youtu.be/asVV5WmZ8eY?si=pI2vOX_Rg6QmK17j eOPF Download Instructions from Dept of Commerce: https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/Downloading%20Your%20eOPF.pdf Federal employees and their spouses are invited to complimentary educational workshops covering their federal benefits. For details, visit: https://fedimpact.com/VWP Federal Benefit Resources: https://www.opm.gov/ https://www.tsp.gov/ Would you like to know more? https://www.valorwealthpartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithec/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/valor-wealth-partners https://www.facebook.com/ValorWealthPartners