MRA+10 is one of the most misunderstood, and potentially costly, retirement decisions you can make. While it allows you to leave earlier, it can permanently reduce your pension and create ripple effects across your other federal benefits. Before you make a decision you can’t undo, you need to understand the full picture. View this informative video from federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik more…
3 Crucial Federal Retirement Choices
Your retirement planning is a series of choices. Some are minor, while others can have major consequences on your future and financial security. Chris Kowalik discusses three important decisions that federal employees face in retirement: FEHB & Medicare, long-term care and life insurance
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Why 62 Is the Magic Age for FERS Employees to Retire
Chris Kowalik, outlines three potentially significant incentives for FERS employees to wait until the age of 62 to retire — plus discusses some natural by-products of waiting longer to retire more…
Maintaining Good Habits in the Thrift Savings Plan
How to react to changing marketing conditions, choosing how much to invest and which funds to use are important routines to have no matter how no matter how close (or far away) you are from retirement. Chris Kowalik provides some pointers for establishing and keeping good habits in regards to your Thrift Savings Plan account more…
Understanding the Three Tax Buckets: Tax Me Now, Later or Never
While you can’t avoid taxes, you can choose when you want to pay them when it comes to certain accounts and savings. Chris Kowalik explains how the growth in your investments is taxed, and which tax bucket is right for you: “tax me now,” “tax me later,” and “tax me never.” more…
Top 3 Professionals to Help You Plan for Retirement
As you prepare to put your life and financial goals in order, it’s best you seek the advice of people who can help you set all your affairs in order, so you can retire with confidence. Chris Kowalik outlines the top three professionals you should seek assistance from more…
3 Retirement Resolutions for Federal Employees
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses three retirement resolutions you should be making in the new year — specifically how making smaller, realistic goals (and sticking to them) can lead to big results over time more…
10 Ways to Get Your Financial Plan on Track in the New Year
How confident are you that you will have the money you need — when you need it? Chris Kowalik provides some tips to make the most of 2026 more…
The Top Regrets of Federal Employees in 2025
Chris Kowalik gives you a “do-over” list to regain control in 2026 that will get you clear about your retirement numbers and options, and uncover financial decisions you have been avoiding more…
Big Changes to the TSP in 2026
Chris Kowalik explains how newly implemented laws will affect your take-home pay and taxes more…