Federal employees may hear “COLA increase” and assume their retirement income keeps full pace with inflation, but under FERS, the cost-of-living adjustment can work differently than many expect. Before you retire, it is important to understand how FERS COLA, CSRS COLA, Social Security COLA, and your overall federal retirement income may interact over time.

Apply for a federal benefits retirement review: https://perspectivefunnel.co/682642d22275ec003bfa6626/691df07396253e003c42b434/?ps_hello=%20

Get the digital book at no cost to you here: https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-in-the-era-of-trump-book/

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“Many federal employees do not realize that the COLA number they hear in the news may not be the same adjustment applied to their FERS pension.”

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Official OPM COLA Information:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/benefits-administration-letters/

Social Security COLA Information:
https://www.ssa.gov/cola/

WHO ARE WE?
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 Federal Retirement COLA and the “Diet COLA” Problem
0:30 Why Real Cost of Living Can Feel Higher Than Your COLA
0:56 Grocery, Housing, and Inflation Pressure on Retirees
1:31 How Rising Food Prices Can Affect Retirement Income
2:11 Housing Costs, Rent, and Family Financial Pressure
2:36 Regional Inflation and Cost-of-Living Challenges
3:14 FERS, CSRS, and COLA Differences in Retirement
3:41 Why Future Growth May Matter in Retirement Planning
4:02 Balancing Safety, Income, and Inflation Risk

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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Most federal employees are told to roll over their TSP when they retire, but that decision should start with a better question: What is this money supposed to do for you in retirement? In this episode, we break down common TSP rollover mistakes, IRA rollover considerations, tax treatment, withdrawal rules, and how a written retirement income plan can help federal employees make more informed decisions.

Apply for Your Retirement Review: https://www.cdfinancial.org/fa93xi62e

Get the digital book at no cost to you here: https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-in-the-era-of-trump-book/

Checklist Challenge: https://cdfinancial.org/checklist-challenge/

Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.com/newsletter

👋 WHO ARE WE?
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 TSP Rollover or Leave It?
0:41 The Question Most Federal Employees Skip
1:17 Why People Automatically Roll Over Their TSP
2:20 Common Reasons Retirees Move TSP Funds
3:07 TSP vs IRA vs Roth IRA Explained
5:09 How Rollovers Can Simplify Retirement Accounts
6:05 Where TSP Rollover Mistakes Begin
7:22 What “FBO” Means in a Retirement Rollover
8:24 Early Withdrawal Penalties and Tax Risks
9:41 The Importance of a Written Retirement Plan
11:00 Creating a Retirement Income and Tax Strategy
15:16 Final Thoughts and Retirement Roadmap

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

TSP vs 401(k) rollover strategy isn’t about where the money goes—it’s about what the money is meant to do.” Discover how to decide whether to keep or move your retirement accounts with a clear, purpose-driven plan.

Get the digital book at no cost to you here: https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-in-the-era-of-trump-book/

Checklist Challenge: https://cdfinancial.org/checklist-challenge/

Apply for a 15-minute call here: https://cdfinancial.org/schedule-a-meeting/

Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.com/newsletter

👋 WHO ARE WE?
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
0:18 The Real Question You Should Be Asking
0:41 Why “Roll It Over or Leave It” Is the Wrong Starting Point
1:01 Defining the Purpose of Your Retirement Accounts
1:25 Building a Retirement Income Strategy Blueprint
1:50 Combining TSP, 401(k), IRA for Stronger Outcomes
2:06 Creating Income Phases: Short-Term vs Long-Term Planning
2:32 Building a Stable Retirement Foundation That Lasts
2:54 Step-by-Step Retirement Planning Approach

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