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  • Why Retiring December 31 Could Create a Tax Surprise

    Why Retiring December 31 Could Create a Tax Surprise
    2026/09/04
    December 31 may seem like the perfect retirement date for federal employees, but it can create unexpected tax issues if you are not careful.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why year-end retirement timing matters under FERS, especially when annual leave payouts, final salary, pension income, spouse income, Roth conversions, Medicare IRMAA, and TSP withdrawal strategy are all involved. A clean calendar date can sometimes create a messy tax situation.

    Andrew breaks down how annual leave lump-sum payouts are generally taxed in the year they are paid, not necessarily the year the hours were earned. That means retiring on December 31 could push income into the following year and potentially create tax bracket bunching.

    If you are a federal employee preparing for retirement, this episode can help you understand why your retirement date should be coordinated with your FERS pension, TSP, annual leave payout, Medicare, FEHB, Social Security, and retirement income plan.

    To schedule a complimentary Federal Retirement Report and review your FERS benefits, TSP, LES, Social Security statement, annual leave payout, and income plan, give us a call at 1-800-848-8768 or visit https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation.

    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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    8 分
  • The FERS 1/12th Rule: How One Day Can Delay Your Pension

    The FERS 1/12th Rule: How One Day Can Delay Your Pension
    2026/08/28
    Federal employees: your FERS pension does not necessarily start the day after you retire.
    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains the FERS 1/12th rule and how OPM calculates your annuity start date. Under FERS, your pension generally begins accruing on the first day of the month after you separate. That means retiring even one day too late could delay your first pension check by an entire month.

    Andrew breaks down why January 2 and January 31 can create very different pension timing, why FERS and CSRS rules are not the same, and why weekends, holidays, HR processing, and separation dates all matter when choosing your federal retirement date.

    If you are a federal employee nearing retirement, this episode can help you understand how your FERS annuity start date, final paycheck, TSP withdrawal strategy, Social Security, survivor benefit, and retirement income plan should work together before you leave federal service.

    To schedule a complimentary Federal Retirement Report and review your FERS benefits, TSP, LES, Social Security statement, and retirement income plan, give our team a call today at 1-800-848-8768.

    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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    6 分
  • Federal Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave

    Federal Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave
    2026/08/21
    Federal employees often wonder whether unused sick leave and annual leave help their retirement. Under FERS, they are treated very differently.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains how unused sick leave can convert into creditable service and potentially increase your FERS pension calculation, while annual leave does not add to your pension. Instead, annual leave is generally paid out as a lump sum after separation.

    Andrew also breaks down common sick leave myths, including whether sick leave can help you reach your minimum retirement age or 30 years of service, whether FERS still only receives partial sick leave credit, and whether annual leave boosts your pension.

    If you are a federal employee preparing for retirement, this episode can help you understand how sick leave, annual leave, your FERS pension, TSP withdrawal strategy, and retirement income plan should work together before you leave federal service.

    To schedule a complimentary Federal Retirement Report and review your FERS benefits, TSP, LES, Social Security, and income plan, give our team a call at 1-800-848-8768.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Why sick leave is not a throwaway benefit
    • How OPM converts sick leave into service credit
    • Why annual leave does not increase your FERS pension
    • What 2,087 hours means for sick leave conversion
    • Why sick leave cannot be used to meet retirement eligibility
    • Common myths about sick leave under FERS
    • How annual leave payouts may affect tax planning
    • Why sick leave, annual leave, TSP, and income planning should be coordinated

    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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    7 分
  • Can Federal Employees Retire Mid-Pay Period?

    Can Federal Employees Retire Mid-Pay Period?
    2026/08/14
    Can a federal employee retire mid-pay period and still get credit for that time?

    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why your retirement date matters under FERS and how choosing the wrong day could cost you service credit, final leave accrual, and pension income over time. OPM generally counts full months of service when calculating your FERS annuity, which means retiring mid-month or mid-pay period may not work the way many federal employees expect.

    Andrew breaks down why the end of the month and the end of the pay period matter, how to identify the “golden date,” and why your retirement date should be coordinated with your FERS pension, TSP withdrawal strategy, Social Security, survivor benefit election, annual leave, and retirement income plan.

    If you are a federal employee nearing retirement, this episode can help you understand why your retirement date is more than just your final day at work.

    To schedule a complimentary Federal Retirement Report and review your FERS benefits, TSP, LES, Social Security, and income plan, give our team a call at 1-800-848-8768.

    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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    7 分
  • What Happens to Your TSP When You Die? Beneficiary Mistakes Federal Employees Should Avoid

    What Happens to Your TSP When You Die? Beneficiary Mistakes Federal Employees Should Avoid
    2026/08/07
    What happens to your TSP when you die — and who actually receives the money?

    For many federal employees, the Thrift Savings Plan may be one of the largest retirement assets they leave behind. But your will or trust may not control where your TSP goes. In many cases, the beneficiary form or TSP order of precedence may determine what happens next
    .
    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why TSP beneficiary designations are so important for federal employees and retirees. You’ll learn what can happen if no beneficiary is listed, why an ex-spouse could still receive your TSP if the form was never updated, how primary and contingent beneficiaries work, and why naming a trust incorrectly could create tax problems or unintended consequences.

    Andrew also covers per stirpes vs. per capita, Roth TSP beneficiary mistakes, the second-death tax trap for spouses and children, charitable beneficiary planning, and how often federal employees should review their beneficiary forms.

    Before you retire, make sure your TSP, FEGLI, bank accounts, life insurance, and estate documents all work together.

    To schedule a complimentary federal benefits review and beneficiary audit with SWAN Capital, visit our website

    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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    18 分
  • Should You Decline the FERS Survivor Benefit?

    Should You Decline the FERS Survivor Benefit?
    2026/07/31
    Should you decline the FERS Survivor Benefit when you retire?

    For married federal employees, this is not just a checkbox on your retirement paperwork. Your spouse plays a major role in this decision, and declining the survivor annuity generally requires notarized spousal consent submitted with your retirement application.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair explains how the FERS Survivor Benefit works, what it may cost, whether the premiums are paid pre-tax or post-tax, and why this decision can have long-term consequences for your spouse’s future retirement income.

    You’ll also learn about the 50%, 25%, and 0% survivor benefit options, whether the benefit receives COLA increases, what happens if there is a large age gap between spouses, and whether the FERS Survivor Benefit ever becomes “paid up.”

    This is an important conversation for federal employees approaching retirement who are reviewing their FERS pension, TSP withdrawal strategy, FEHB, FEGLI, Social Security, survivor income, and overall federal benefits plan.

    To discuss how your survivor benefit election fits into your full federal retirement plan, schedule a complimentary visit with our team 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 分
  • How to Prepare for FERS Retirement 5, 3, and 1 Years Out

    How to Prepare for FERS Retirement 5, 3, and 1 Years Out
    2026/07/31
    Are you getting close to retirement under FERS and wondering what you might be missing?
    In this episode, Andrew McNair walks through what federal employees should be doing 5 years, 3 years, and 1 year before retirement. From confirming your FERS eligibility and Service Computation Date to reviewing FEHB, FEGLI, TSP withdrawals, Social Security, Medicare, cash reserves, and estate planning, this episode gives you a practical timeline for preparing for retirement with more confidence.

    You’ll learn why waiting until the final year can create problems, how to think through your TSP withdrawal strategy, why the FEHB 5-year rule matters, and how to coordinate your federal benefits into a retirement income plan.

    If you are within a few years of federal retirement, this episode can help you identify the major decisions to review before you submit your retirement paperwork.

    If you’d like help building a personalized federal retirement strategy,
    you can request your free Federal Benefits Review below.

    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 分
  • Does FERS Pension Get a COLA

    Does FERS Pension Get a COLA
    2026/07/17
    Does your FERS pension receive a cost-of-living adjustment in retirement?

    For many federal employees, the answer is yes — but the rules are more complicated than most people realize.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down how FERS COLAs work, when they begin, why many regular FERS retirees do not receive COLAs until age 62, and why a high COLA is not always good news.

    You’ll learn:

    • How FERS COLAs are tied to CPI-W
    • Why FERS COLAs are sometimes called a “diet COLA”
    • When COLAs show up in your retirement payment
    • Which federal retirees may receive COLAs before age 62
    • Why retiring at the end of the year may affect your first COLA
    • Why high inflation can still reduce your pension’s buying power
    • How your FERS pension fits into your broader federal retirement plan

    Understanding your FERS pension is only one part of retirement planning. Federal employees also need to think through TSP withdrawals, survivor benefits, taxes, Social Security, FEHB, and long-term retirement income.

    If you would like help reviewing your federal benefits, pension estimate, and retirement income strategy, schedule a complimentary Federal Benefits Review with one of our advisors 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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    10 分