Confident Federal Retirement

By Tom Poltersdorf Jr.

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Category: Investing

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Episodes: 201

Description

Confident Federal Retirement is the retirement podcast for federal employees who want to retire from federal service without guessing. If you're within about 5–10 years of retirement and worried about picking the wrong date, misunderstanding your pension, or messing up TSP and Social Security, this show is for you. In each short, focused episode, I break down FERS, CSRS, TSP, Social Security, FEHB, FEGLI, and retirement taxes into clear decisions you can actually act on, without jargon or spreadsheets. You'll hear real‑world scenarios, simple checklists, and straight answers to questions like: "When can I retire?", "Will my pension and TSP be enough?", and "How do I avoid ugly tax surprises?" I'm a fee‑only fiduciary financial planner who specializes in federal retirement planning, and my goal is to help you go from confused and uncertain to clear and confident about your next chapter. When you're ready for one‑on‑one help, visit gtwealthguide.com to request a personalized federal retirement plan and talk through your options.

Episode Date
Can One Federal Spouse Retire Safely While the Other Keeps Working? |Ep 201
Sep 29, 2026
The Roth Conversion Window for Federal Employees After Retirement |Ep 200
Sep 24, 2026
Married Federal Employees, How Should Two Different TSPs Work Together? |Ep 199
Sep 22, 2026
The FERS Retirement Date Tip Federal Employees Often Miss |Ep 198
Sep 17, 2026
Federal Employees, Should You Retire at 57, 60, or 62? |Ep 197
Sep 15, 2026
Five TSP Rules Federal Employees Should Understand Before Retirement |Ep 196
Sep 10, 2026
Can I Retire at 60 With a FERS Pension and TSP? 7 Steps to Check |Ep 195
Sep 08, 2026
When Should Federal Employees Take Social Security With a FERS Pension? |Ep 194
Sep 03, 2026
Roth Conversions for Federal Employees. How to Decide If They Fit |Ep 193
Sep 01, 2026
Federal Employees Turning 65. Should You Add Medicare Part B to FEHB? |Ep 192
Aug 27, 2026
How Federal Employees Can Take TSP Money Without Big Tax Mistakes |Ep 191
Aug 25, 2026
FEHB, Medicare, And TRICARE At 65 For Federal Employees |Ep 190
Aug 20, 2026
Will My Spouse Be Okay If I Die First In FERS Retirement |Ep 189
Aug 18, 2026
Retiring Before 62 As A FERS Employee What Really Changes |Ep 188
Aug 13, 2026
Should Federal Employees Retire At 57 Or Wait Until 62 |Ep 187
Aug 11, 2026
Are FERS Survivor Benefits Taxed Or Are You Paying Twice |Ep 186
Aug 06, 2026
FEHB Premium Conversion For Federal Couples Before And After Retirement |Ep 185
Aug 04, 2026
Smart Ways Federal Employees Can Pay Taxes On Roth Conversions |Ep 184
Jul 30, 2026
Unused Sick Leave And The 1.1 FERS Multiplier For Federal Employees |Ep 183
Jul 28, 2026
Should Federal Employees Take A VERA Early Retirement Offer |Ep 182
Jul 23, 2026
4 Ways Federal Employees Accidentally Reduce Their FERS Pension And Retirement Pay |Ep 181
Jul 21, 2026
FERS Special Retirement Supplement For Federal Employees Explained in Plain English |Ep 180
Jul 16, 2026
Two TSP Mistakes Federal Employees Make When They Start Retirement |Ep 179
Jul 14, 2026
Roth Conversions When You Have A FERS Pension |Ep 178
Jul 09, 2026
Should You Cut Your FERS Survivor Benefit? (Married Feds) |Ep 177
Jul 07, 2026
Two Big Fears Federal Employees Face Before And After Retirement |Ep 176
Jul 02, 2026
How Your TSP And Survivor Benefit Choice Affect Your Spouse |Ep 175
Jun 30, 2026
How Married Federal Employees Can Choose FERS Survivor Benefits Without Overpaying |Ep 174
Jun 25, 2026
5 Costly TSP Mistakes Federal Employees Make Near Retirement |Ep 173
Jun 23, 2026
Military Buyback Rules For Federal Employees Who Are Retirees Or Reservists
Jun 18, 2026
Hidden Tax Problems For High-Income Federal Couples With Big Pre-Tax Balances |Ep 171
Jun 16, 2026
How Federal Employees Can Avoid The Widow Tax Trap In Retirement |Ep 170
Jun 11, 2026
Military Service Buyback For FERS Federal Employees, Is It Really Worth It? |Ep 169
Jun 09, 2026
How Federal RMDs Stack With Your Pension And Social Security In Retirement |Ep 168
Jun 04, 2026
7 Things To Check Before You Retire From Federal Service |Ep 167
Jun 02, 2026
Why Your Will Doesn't Control Your TSP or IRA When You Die |Ep 166
May 28, 2026
A FERS Couple Saving $2,000 A Month. Where Should It Go? |Ep 165
May 26, 2026
Why FEHB Costs More In Retirement (Even With The Same Premium) | Ep 164
May 21, 2026
How One Federal Couple Turned RMD Fear Into A Game Plan |Ep 163
May 19, 2026
Retire At 60 Or Push To 62? A Real FERS Couple's Story |Ep 162
May 14, 2026
Should You Keep FEGLI in Retirement or Replace It? |Ep 161
May 12, 2026
Should You Work to 62? FERS Supplement vs. 10% Pension Bump |Ep 160
May 07, 2026
Retire Now Or Wait Until 62? FERS Supplement Case Study |Ep 159
May 05, 2026
Federal Employees In Your 50s, Don't Ignore The Age 55 Rule |Ep 158
Apr 30, 2026
Will Your FERS Retirement Paycheck Match Your Working Paycheck? |Ep 157
Apr 28, 2026
Are You Financially Ready to Retire But Personally Not? |Ep 156
Apr 23, 2026
What Happens to Your FERS Pension If You Leave Federal Service Early |Ep 155
Apr 21, 2026
Deferred vs. Postponed Retirement: The Mistake That Costs Federal Employees Thousands |Ep 154
Apr 16, 2026
Can I Afford to Retire at 57? Building Your Federal Income Stack |Ep 153
Apr 14, 2026
Two Federal Pensions: How to Pick Your Survivor Elections and FEGLI (The Fed Couple's Guide) |Ep 152
Apr 09, 2026
Your Federal Retirement Checklist: 7 Steps Before You Leave |Ep 151
Apr 07, 2026
The RMD Tax Surprise When Most Of Your Savings Are In TSP |Ep 150
Apr 02, 2026
Still Like Your Federal Job? 3 Tests Before You Retire |Ep 149
Mar 31, 2026
7 Conversations To Avoid Regret In Your Federal Retirement |Ep 148
Mar 27, 2026
When Your Federal Pension Isn't Enough To Retire |Ep 147
Mar 24, 2026
FERS Immediate Retirement: Should I Retire Now or Wait? |Ep 146
Mar 19, 2026
FERS Creditable Service: What Actually Counts (And What Doesn't) |Ep 145
Mar 17, 2026
What Federal Employees Should Do In A Market Crash |Ep 144
Mar 11, 2026
How To Invest Your TSP In Retirement: 4 Mistakes To Avoid |Ep 143
Mar 05, 2026
How To Choose the Right FEHB Plan for Retirement |Ep 142
Mar 03, 2026
FERS & Social Security: Should You Claim At 62? |Ep 141
Feb 27, 2026
Roth TSP vs Traditional TSP In Your Final 10 Working Years |Ep 140
Feb 24, 2026
Should You Claim Social Security at 62? |Ep 139
Feb 17, 2026
FEHB & Medicare Part B: 5 Costly Mistakes Feds Can Avoid |Ep 138
Feb 12, 2026
Why Hitting $2M Changes Everything for Federal Employees |Ep 137
Feb 10, 2026
FERS Pension: What Actually Hits Your Bank Account in Retirement |Ep 136
Feb 06, 2026
How to Combine Your FERS Pension, TSP, and Social Security Into One Monthly Paycheck |Ep 135
Feb 03, 2026
Should You Keep Your TSP, Roll It, Or Split It In Retirement? | Ep 134
Jan 29, 2026
Why Your TSP Isn't a Solo Decision for Married Federal Employees |Ep 133
Jan 27, 2026
Federal Employees: The "Whenever We Need It" TSP Tax Trap |Ep 132
Jan 23, 2026
5 Costly FERS Pension Mistakes To Avoid |Ep 131
Jan 21, 2026
FEHB and Medicare Part B: Do You Really Need Both? |Ep 130
Jan 15, 2026
TSP Withdrawal Options When You Retire |Ep 129
Jan 13, 2026
FERS Survivor Benefits & FEHB: Protect Your Spouse's Coverage |Ep 128
Jan 09, 2026
6 Keys To Know If You're Ready To Retire From Federal Service |Ep 127
Jan 08, 2026
FERS Retirement Income vs Salary: The Pay Cut Nobody Shows You |Ep 126
Jan 05, 2026
3 TSP Withdrawal Mistakes That Trigger Surprise Taxes |Ep 125
Dec 30, 2025
TSP 2026: New Roth Rules Federal Employees Must Know |Ep 124
Dec 27, 2025
New Tax Law: 4 Years To Lower Your Retirement Taxes |Ep 123
Dec 23, 2025
FEHB In Retirement: Do You Lose Your Health Insurance? |Ep 122
Dec 22, 2025
Medicare Part B vs FEHB: Simple Rules for Feds |Ep 121
Dec 19, 2025
TSP RMDs & Medicare IRMAA: 3 Smart Moves for 2025 |Ep 120
Dec 18, 2025
Big Update: Welcome to Confident Federal Retirement |Ep 119
Dec 18, 2025
Ep #118: 401(k) for Business Owners Explained: Traditional vs Safe Harbor, Contribution Limits, and Common Myths
May 01, 2025
Ep #117: Selling Your HVAC Business? Buyers Want These 4 Things to Pay Top Dollar
Apr 15, 2025
Ep #116: Five Changes Business Owners Wish They Made At Age 60
Apr 02, 2025
Ep #115: Sell Your Business and Retire if You Answer YES to These 7 Questions
Mar 31, 2025
Ep #114: Business Owner Retired at 60 with $850k and Regretted It. Here's Why.
Mar 28, 2025
Ep #113: Why Business Owners Go Broke After Selling (5 Exit Planning Mistakes)
Feb 06, 2025
Ep #112: Exit Planning Masterclass: How to Unlock the Wealth In Your Business (Strategic Planning for Business Owners)
Jan 30, 2025
Ep #111: Unlocking The Freedom Point: How to Exit Your Business and Achieve Financial Independence
Jan 24, 2025
Ep #110: 6 Reasons To Retire As Soon As Possible
Oct 09, 2024
Ep #109: 401K Loans: The Pros, Cons, And Major Risks To Avoid
Oct 02, 2024
Ep #108: "I Have Nothing Saved For Retirement" - Top 10 Recommendations
Sep 25, 2024
Ep #107: The Hidden Dangers of Borrowing from Your 401k: What You Need To Know
Sep 18, 2024
Ep #106: Maximizing Your 401k to Build Wealth and Offset Retirement Risk
Sep 11, 2024
Ep #105: 5 Strategies To Thrive When The Market Is Soaring
Sep 04, 2024
Ep #104: Never Retire: Redefining What's Next After Exiting Your Business
Aug 28, 2024
Ep #103: Should I Retire Now? 5 Questions For Business Owners To Decide
Aug 21, 2024
Ep #102: 6 Strategies to Thrive When the Market Crashes
Aug 14, 2024
Ep #101: The Critical Number Everyone Gets Wrong When Selling Their Business
Aug 07, 2024
Ep #100: A Proven Investment Strategy for 99% of People
Jul 31, 2024
Ep #099: Top 3 Investing Mistakes I Avoid To Make More Money
Jul 24, 2024
Ep #098: 6 Money Lessons I Wish I Knew Earlier For Lasting Wealth
Jul 17, 2024
Ep #097: Avoid These 9 Bad Money Habits to Build Wealth
Jul 10, 2024
Ep #096: Balancing ROI and ROL: Ensuring a Fulfilling Life After Business Exit
Jul 03, 2024
Ep #095: Navigating CEO Transitions: Strategies for New CEOs and Exiting Founders with Matt Sharrers
Jun 26, 2024
Ep #094: Exit Planning For Business Partners: Why Business Partners Need to Plan for Exit and How to Get Started
Jun 19, 2024
Ep #093: 7 Essential Questions to Answer Before Exiting Your Business
Jun 12, 2024
Ep #092: How to Sell Your Business Tax-Free with a Charitable Remainder Trust
Jun 05, 2024
Ep #091: A Business Owner's Guide to Retirement and Exit Strategy Using Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) with Kelly Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF®
May 29, 2024
Ep #090: 10 Critical Areas Impacted By Your Business Exit
May 22, 2024
Ep #089: Overcoming the Top 5 Barriers to a Successful Business Exit
May 15, 2024
Ep #088: Mastering the Deal of a Business Exit: Insights from M&A Attorney Alex Prasad
May 08, 2024
Ep #087: 7 Tax-Saving Strategies for Business Owners Selling Their Company
May 01, 2024
Ep #086: Safeguarding Your Wealth: The Role of Prenups for Business Owners
Apr 24, 2024
Ep #085: 10 Key Strategies to Increase Your Business Value Before Exiting
Apr 17, 2024
Ep #084: How Asset Protection Can Save Your Business: Essential Strategies
Apr 10, 2024
Ep #083: Early Exit Planning: Why It's Crucial for Business Owners Without an Immediate Plan to Transition
Apr 03, 2024
Ep #082: Planning With the End in Mind: How I Explain It To Business Owners
Mar 27, 2024
Ep #081: 4 Essential Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Ask Before Selling Their Business
Mar 20, 2024
Ep #080: Scaling and Exiting a Family-Owned Business for 8-Figures with Ivan and Mariana Polic
Mar 13, 2024
Ep #079: Five Key Strategies to Improve Your Financial Health
Mar 06, 2024
Ep #078: When Should Retiring Owners Sell Their Business?
Feb 28, 2024
Ep #077: Maximizing Philanthropy and Taxes: A Strategic Guide to Donor Advised Funds
Feb 21, 2024
Ep #076: Exit Planning Strategies to Avoid Regret After a Business Sale
Feb 14, 2024
Ep #075: Mastering Your Exit: Key Strategies for Business Owners Ready To Sell
Feb 07, 2024
Ep #074: What Should I Do With The Cash In My Business Account?
Jan 31, 2024
Ep #073: What Are The Tax Implications When Selling a Business?
Jan 24, 2024
Ep #072: How Should I Invest My Business Profit? (Real-Life Case Study and Tips for Business Owners)
Jan 17, 2024
Ep #071: Beyond Your Exit: Planning for Life After Succession
Jan 10, 2024
Ep #070: Why Your Business Needs a Strong Continuity Plan
Jan 03, 2024
Ep #069: The Top 3 Exit Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Dec 27, 2023
Ep #068: Disability Insurance for the Self-Employed: What You Need to Know
Dec 20, 2023
Ep #067: Understanding How Life Insurance Works: Term Vs Whole Life
Dec 13, 2023
Ep #066: Avoid This Year-End Business Tax Planning Mistake!
Dec 06, 2023
Ep #065: Marketing Your Home Service Business with Serial Entrepreneur Marcia Barnes
Nov 29, 2023
Ep #064: The Triple Tax-Free Benefits of the HSA (Health Savings Account)
Nov 22, 2023
Ep #063: Exit Options: How to Decide Which One Is Best For Me?
Nov 15, 2023
Ep #062: 7 Ways to Exit a Business
Nov 08, 2023
Ep #061: 5 Strategies To Improve the Culture in Your HVAC Business
Nov 01, 2023
Ep #060: How to Build a Thriving Culture to Attract & Retain Talent Within Your HVAC Business
Oct 25, 2023
Ep #059: How to Sell Your HVAC Company for Maximum Value: Insights from a Business Broker
Oct 18, 2023
Ep #058: Revealing The "Hidden Costs" of a Business Sale
Oct 11, 2023
Ep #057: The #1 Reason Your Business Will Never Sell
Oct 04, 2023
Ep #056: Calculate how much you need to retire in 5 easy steps
Sep 27, 2023
Ep #055: Assessing Your Potential Successor: Key Questions for Business Owners
Sep 20, 2023
Ep #054: My 4-Step Framework for a Successful Transition into Retirement
Sep 13, 2023
Ep #053: 12 Estate Planning Essentials For Business Owners (Repost)
Sep 06, 2023
Ep #052: Proven Approaches to Business Transition Planning with Laurie Barkman (Certified M&A Advisor)
Aug 30, 2023
Ep #051: 4 Effective Delegation Strategies To Get Your Time Back in Business
Aug 23, 2023
Ep #050: How to Invest for Beginners (Inflation, Investment Strategy, Investment Mistakes to Avoid and MORE!)
Aug 16, 2023
Ep #049: How to Reduce Taxes on Required Minimum Distributions
Aug 09, 2023
Ep #048: Taxes When Buying and Selling Stocks: Explained
Aug 02, 2023
Ep #047: How to Calculate the Value of Your Business + Three Essential Tips to Increase It
Jul 26, 2023
Ep #046: Why The Value of Your Business is Critical to Your Financial Plan
Jul 19, 2023
Ep #045: Why It's Critical to Review Your Listed Beneficiaries on Your Accounts
Jul 12, 2023
Ep #044: How to Plan for the Income Distribution Phase of Retirement
Jul 05, 2023
Ep #043: Tax-Saving Secrets: 7 Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know
Jun 28, 2023
Ep #042: How Compound Interest Can Multiply Your Wealth
Jun 21, 2023
Ep #041: Know the Game You're Playing: Insight into Private Equity
Jun 14, 2023
Ep #040: Why Business Owners Need a Fiduciary Advisor As Their Financial Quarterback
Jun 07, 2023
Ep #039: Unlocking the Art of Disciplined Investing for Small Business Owners
May 31, 2023
Ep #038: Exit Planning vs Succession Planning: Unraveling the Key Differences For a Profitable Business Exit
May 24, 2023
Ep #037: Do I Need To Sell My Business To Retire?
May 17, 2023
Ep #036: Navigating the Due Diligence Process Before a Sale
May 10, 2023
Ep #035: Deconstructing Your First Phone Call with an Interested Buyer: Tips and Insights
May 03, 2023
Ep #034: Interview on Business Succession, Exit Planning Tips, and Importance of Aligning Business, Personal, & Financial Goals (Not Minding My Own Business Podcast)
Apr 26, 2023
Ep #033: Managing Risk After Selling Your Business
Apr 19, 2023
Ep #032: The Three Retirement Income Buckets and How They Are Taxed
Apr 12, 2023
Ep #031: When It's Too Late: The Consequences of Not Planning Your Business Exit Strategy
Apr 05, 2023
Ep #030: Building Tax-Free Wealth Using the Roth IRA
Mar 29, 2023
Ep #029: Investing for Retirement as a Business Owner Who Has Employees: The Traditional 401k vs Safe Harbor 401k
Mar 22, 2023
Ep #028: Investing for Retirement as a Solopreneur: The SEP IRA vs Solo 401k
Mar 15, 2023
Ep #027: How to Recession Proof Your Business
Mar 08, 2023
Ep #026: How to Invest in an Uncertain Market
Mar 01, 2023
Ep #025: Common Business Readiness Issues When Considering an Exit
Feb 22, 2023
Ep #024: Common Financial Readiness Issues When Considering an Exit
Feb 15, 2023
Ep #023: Common Personal Readiness Issues When Considering an Exit
Feb 08, 2023
Ep #022: 12 Estate Planning Essentials
Jan 25, 2023
Ep #021: 5 Strategies For Identifying Ideal Candidates For Your Business
Jan 11, 2023
Ep #020: Required Minimum Distributions
Dec 28, 2022
Ep #019: Planning For Life After Business
Dec 14, 2022
Ep #018: 3 Perspectives on Timing When It Comes to Exit Planning
Nov 30, 2022
Ep #017: The Internal Versus External Options for Business Exit Success
Nov 16, 2022
Ep #016: A Typical Business Owner Versus A Value Builder
Nov 02, 2022
Ep #015: How to Exit Your Business on Your Terms by Preparing for These 5 Major Risks
Oct 19, 2022
Ep #014: How to Take Money Out of Your Qualified Accounts Without Paying a 10% Penalty
Oct 05, 2022
Ep #013: How to Save and Invest Outside of Your Business
Sep 21, 2022
Ep #012: One Thing Every Business Owner Should Know
Sep 07, 2022
Ep #011: The Top 4 Concentration Risks and How To Fix Them
Aug 24, 2022
Ep #010: The Art of Delegating
Aug 10, 2022
Ep #009: The Top 3 Exit Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Jul 27, 2022
Ep #008: Building Your Business Exit Team
Jul 13, 2022
Ep #007: Managing Your Proceeds After A Sale
Jun 29, 2022
Ep #006: The Four Types of Capital
Jun 15, 2022
Ep #005: How Much Do I Need To Retire?
Jun 01, 2022
Ep #004: Maximizing the Value of Your Business
May 18, 2022
Ep #003: Creating a More Efficient Business Through Proper Exit Planning
May 03, 2022
Ep #002: The Reality of Exit Planning
May 03, 2022
Ep #001: Welcome to Business Exit Success!
Apr 26, 2022