Whether it’s rising inflation, a government shutdown, a market downturn, an economic recession, or an emergency, Money and finances can cause anxiety for many of us. Chris Kowalik provides four actionable tips to manage financial stress more…
Why Having Emergency Savings is Vital for Feds
If you have little-to-no savings that is accessible to you when you need it, a job loss, government shutdown furlough, or medical emergency could be catastrophic to your finances. Chris Kowalik gives pointers on how you can build an emergency fund
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Planning for Long Term Care
Chris Kowalik guides federal employees in exploring the options of needing extra care as they age – even in the absence of a government solution more…
Will You Be Prepared for Retirement? Take This Test Drive and Find Out
What will your retirement look like? And how will you feel about being retired and on a “fixed” income? Are you confident in your current retirement plan? Chris Kowalik takes you on a test drive to help you to adjust your plans based on real-world experience more…
Retiring Early Under the FERS MRA+10 Provision
What happens when a FERS employee wants to retire prior to meeting all of the full eligibility requirements? Chris Kowalik discusses the way to avoid one of the penalties associated with MRA+10 rules — plus how MRA+10 affects the FERS Special Retirement Supplement more…
10 Must-Do Action Items to Prepare to Retire from Federal Service
As you begin planning for retirement, you may be concerned that you’ll miss some critical steps. Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, provides the action items to ensure you’re on track more…
Preparing Your Exit from Federal Service
Chris Kowalik provides key understanding on voluntary and involuntary departures (including DRP 2.0), who is entitled to what (and when), how the pension and other benefits are affected. Includes example scenarios for federal employees more…
5 Tips to Evaluate Your Life Insurance Needs
Is your Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) enough? Life insurance needs change based on major life events, so it’s important to review your coverage regularly. Chris Kowalik guides you through five ways to evaluate your needs more…
How Inflation Affects Your Retirement
Chris Kowalik explains why inflation has an impact on more than just devaluing your savings. It affects cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), your Social Security benefits, your Thrift Savings Plan and other investments more…
What to Expect From Your Federal Retirement Package
Chris Kowalik gives an overview of what to expect as your retirement application is processed including how you will be paid, what happens to your benefits in retirement, and a checklist to do before leaving federal service more…