Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses some important considerations on perhaps one of the biggest decisions federal employees nearing retirement have to  make:  the spousal survivor benefits plan

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, provides insight on how federal employees married to one another likely have different choices on some key benefits decisions than employees married to a non-federal spouse. 

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik,  provides insight and tips on how the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and Medicare work together in retirement.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, dispels misconceptions of how the FEHB program works in retirement.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, provides some clarity on how some FERS employees who retire prior to age 62 may receive the Special Retirement Supplement

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, breaks down how part-time service may impact a federal employee's eligibility to retire and the calculation of their pension.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares important details on the differences between federal employee pay raises and federal retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to pensions.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares how FERS employee who may be considering retiring under MRA+10 retirement rules will be affected by swift penalties.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares how federal employees can get started in the often overwhelming process of planning for retirement.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses how federal employees can leverage the Roth TSP to create tax-free income for themselves in retirement.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares her candid insights on how federal employees who are Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and Air Traffic Controller are affected by different rules in several of their benefits.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares how an employee who has military service may benefit from making a deposit to get credit under the CSRS or FERS programs.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares how the CSRS Offset program works, and what employees under this program can expect once they retire from federal service.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares tips and insights for federal employees to ensure their federal benefits have the correct beneficiaries assigned.  In this segment, she helps federal employees to understand how beneficiaries work, and what happens if no one is assigned to receive the benefit upon the death of an employee or retiree.  Stay tuned for a big surprise to the most common beneficiary named – and what happens in the aftermath.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik,helps federal employees to understand how each type of leave is paid out, some special considerations for each, and how to maximize both types of leave upon retiring from federal service.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, helps eligible CSRS employees understand how their Social Security benefit may be financially impacted by two provisions -- the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) -- so they know what to expect in retirement.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares her candid insights on why age 62 is a magic age for most FERS employees to retire.  She helps FERS employees to understand the potentially significant incentives in store for them if they can hang on to retire from federal service until age 62.

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, helps federal employees better understand their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) options while working, and begin to leverage the TSP to be a powerful part of their bigger retirement picture. Chris also throws in a few bonuses and challenges to help listeners make the most out of their TSP experience. Key take-aways include: There's a lot to love about Thrift Savings Plan – the 5 reasons why so many employees contribute! Avoid what 95% of TSP participants...