Curious about how financial advisors actually earn their income—especially for federal employees and retirees? This video demystifies how advisors are paid, explains fee structures, and helps you choose the best financial guidance for your retirement planning.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:
Financial advisor fees explained
Commission, fee-only, and hybrid models
Pros and cons for federal employees and retirees
401K, FERS, TSP, Social Security timing tips
How to avoid common advisor pitfalls

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES
FREE 15-minute call: https://calendly.com/charlesdzama/complimentary-15-minute-phone-call-youtube
Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.com/newsletter

Socials:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cdfinancial.llc/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/cdfinancial
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/cd-financial

👋 WHO AM I?
CD Financial helps federal employees and near-retirees create sustainable, tax-smart retirement income. Expect weekly strategies on 401K, FERS, TSP, Social Security timing, tax planning, and health-meets-wealth habits—clear, practical, compliant.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 How do financial advisors get paid? (overview & why it matters)
1:08 Fee-Only Planning (hourly/flat retainers, complexity & scope)
3:58 Fee-Based / AUM Explained (typical 1% example, billing in arrears, breakpoints)
6:52 Fiduciary Duty vs. Suitability (what standard protects you)
7:46 Commission-Based Models (insurance, annuities, broker-dealer spreads)
10:18 Real-World Story: Long-Term Care & why commissions may still appear
13:02 Case Study: Preferred stock issue & when clients captured “the spread”
15:06 Performance-Based Fees (the ‘2 and 20’ hedge fund model)
15:58 DIY vs. Hiring an Advisor (tax plan, income plan, sequencing risk)
21:03 Wrap-Up + Health Tip: 4-4-4 (and 4-7-8) breathing for stress

Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.
Opinions expressed herein are solely those of CD Financial and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.

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Are you a federal retiree still waiting for your first pension check? You’re not alone—delays at OPM are leaving thousands in financial limbo. In this video, learn bridge strategies to cover expenses, avoid financial hardship, and what steps you can take now if your federal retirement payment is late.

Your pension check might not be processed—so what are you going to do when no pension checks are being processed?

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES
FREE 15-minute call: https://calendly.com/charlesdzama/complimentary-15-minute-phone-call-youtube
Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.com/newsletter

Socials:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cdfinancial.llc/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/cdfinancial
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/cd-financial

👋 WHO AM I?
CD Financial helps federal employees and near-retirees create sustainable, tax-smart retirement income. Expect weekly strategies on 401K, FERS, TSP, Social Security timing, tax planning, and health-meets-wealth habits—clear, practical, compliant.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro – “No pension check. How are you going to survive the first few months of retirement?”
0:46 What happens when your agency hasn’t coded you retired yet: “You’re still an annuitant but no check.”
1:10 Ask your credit union or bank: CD access, penalty-free withdrawals, deferred loans.
1:40 Insurance & loan modifications: what banks might offer when you’re waiting for annuity payments.
2:37 Home-equity line of credit (HELOC) as a bridge strategy.
3:28 TSP options if you’re 59½ – in-service rollovers or IRA linkage.
3:52 What if you’re under 59½ and your TSP hasn’t been coded retired? General loan options.
4:54 Two outstanding general loans from TSP? How the law changed.
5:46 Recap of “handful of ideas” to bridge the gap until your first annuity payment.
6:18 Final thoughts: “You don’t have to work longer—you just need a better plan.”

Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.
Opinions expressed herein are solely those of CD Financial and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.

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Should you work with a financial advisor? Discover when hiring a certified financial planner makes sense for federal employees and retirees—and when DIY investing might be enough.

Learn the real value a fiduciary financial advisor brings to your retirement planning, from tax-smart strategies to FERS benefits optimization. Whether you're nearing retirement or managing TSP withdrawals, this guide covers what to expect when working with a professional advisor.

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES
📞 FREE 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/charlesdzama/complimentary-15-minute-phone-call-youtube
📧 Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.org/newsletter

⏱ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro - Why Use a Financial Advisor?
2:15 When Do You Need Professional Help?
5:30 What Does a Financial Advisor Actually Do?
9:45 Fee Structures Explained
14:20 Fiduciary vs Commission-Based Advisors
18:30 Federal Employee Specific Planning
22:10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
25:00 Final Thoughts

💼 WHO WE HELP
CD Financial specializes in helping federal employees and near-retirees create sustainable, tax-smart retirement income. Get weekly strategies on TSP, FERS, Social Security timing, tax planning, and retirement readiness.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for insightful retirement planning advice tailored to federal workers!

📱 CONNECT WITH US
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cdfinancial.llc/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/cdfinancial
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/cd-financial

#FinancialAdvisor #RetirementPlanning #FederalEmployees #TSP #FERS #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome #TaxPlanning #FiduciaryAdvisor #FederalRetirement

⚖️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of CD Financial and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.

Support the show