Haws Federal Advisors Podcast

Dallen Haws
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Federal Employees enjoy incredible benefits but it can get confusing to know exactly how to handle it all. This podcast is the place for all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your Federal benefits and federal retirement. We cover topics such as the TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, your pension, investing, and much more.

  1. 5h ago

    Federal Employee Divorce: How It Affects Your FERS, TSP, and FEHB

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Long-term care is one of the biggest financial risks in retirement, and the federal long-term care program isn't taking new applicants. Here's what care actually costs, what FEHB and Medicare won't pay for, and the three ways feds can cover it instead. Quick facts: About 70% of people turning 65 will need some long-term care. National median costs per year: $80K for an in-home caregiver, $74K for assisted living and $130K for a private nursing home room. Three years of nursing home care can top $380K. FEHB doesn't cover custodial care, Medicare covers only short skilled stays, and Medicaid pays only after you spend down. FLTCIP has been closed to new applicants since December 2022. The suspension was extended 24 months in December 2024, and Dec 19, 2026 is the earliest it could reopen; no reopening has been announced. If you're already enrolled, your coverage continues, but you can't add to it. Three ways to cover the risk: traditional LTC insurance (lowest cost, but premiums can rise, so buy while you're healthy), a hybrid life/LTC policy (locked premiums, but it costs more up front), or self-funding from a TSP reserve, an HSA or home equity. Read the fine print on inflation protection, the elimination period and state Partnership asset protection. And plan the non-money parts: a durable power of attorney and health care proxy, where you'd want care, and who will help (and whether you've asked them). Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  2. 5h ago

    The Federal Employee's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Long-term care is one of the biggest financial risks in retirement, and the federal long-term care program isn't taking new applicants. Here's what care actually costs, what FEHB and Medicare won't pay for, and the three ways feds can cover it instead. Quick facts: About 70% of people turning 65 will need some long-term care. National median costs per year: $80K for an in-home caregiver, $74K for assisted living and $130K for a private nursing home room. Three years of nursing home care can top $380K. FEHB doesn't cover custodial care, Medicare covers only short skilled stays, and Medicaid pays only after you spend down. FLTCIP has been closed to new applicants since December 2022. The suspension was extended 24 months in December 2024, and Dec 19, 2026 is the earliest it could reopen; no reopening has been announced. If you're already enrolled, your coverage continues, but you can't add to it. Three ways to cover the risk: traditional LTC insurance (lowest cost, but premiums can rise, so buy while you're healthy), a hybrid life/LTC policy (locked premiums, but it costs more up front), or self-funding from a TSP reserve, an HSA or home equity. Read the fine print on inflation protection, the elimination period and state Partnership asset protection. And plan the non-money parts: a durable power of attorney and health care proxy, where you'd want care, and who will help (and whether you've asked them). Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  3. 2d ago

    Disabled Adult Child? Survivor Benefits and FEHB Rules for Feds

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Do you have an adult child with a disability? Federal benefits have special rules that can protect them for life, through FEHB and a FERS survivor annuity, but only if the paperwork is right. One wrong beneficiary form can also cost them SSI or Medicaid. Quick facts: There are two different age tests. If the disability began before 26, FEHB can continue past 26 for a child who is unmarried, incapable of self-support, and has a disability expected to last a year or more. Carry Self & Family coverage into retirement to keep your child covered, and expect OPM to review the child's status and possibly ask for updates. If the disability began before 18, an unmarried child who is incapable of self-support can receive a lifetime FERS child survivor annuity while the condition continues. For the child to keep FEHB after you die, Self & Family must be in force on the day you die, and the survivor annuity is what lets them keep coverage. The beneficiary-form trap: a lump sum from your TSP or FEGLI can knock a child off SSI and Medicaid. Tools families often use include a special needs trust named as the TSP and FEGLI beneficiary, an ABLE account (the disability-onset age limit is now 46), and a letter of intent with care instructions. Have this paperwork ready: a medical certificate and proof of onset age, the special needs trust if you use one, TSP-3 and SF 2823 beneficiary forms that match the plan, and guardianship or power of attorney documents. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  4. 2d ago

    Working for the Government After You Retire: What Happens to Your Pension

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Thinking about going back to work for the government after you retire? Your pension keeps paying, but your new salary usually gets cut by the amount of your annuity. Here's how the offset, waivers, the FERS Supplement and your benefits work before you say yes. Quick facts: As a reemployed annuitant, your annuity keeps paying, but your salary is cut by the amount of your annuity. Example: a $120,000 salary minus a $45,000 FERS annuity means you're actually paid $75,000 in salary. The 2010 law that let agencies waive the offset (with hour caps) expired 12/31/2024, so today only OPM-approved waivers remain, granted case by case for an emergency hiring need, severe difficulty filling the job, or keeping a key person on a project. They're never automatic, and OPM can say no. Stay long enough and you earn more: 1 year of full-time work earns a supplemental annuity, and 5 years can earn a redetermined annuity. Work done under a waiver doesn't earn extra annuity. Under 62? Your full federal salary counts toward the FERS Supplement earnings test: the 2026 limit is $24,480, and you lose $1 of Supplement for every $2 over it. Your FEHB and retiree FEGLI continue, and TSP eligibility depends on the appointment (ask HR). The contractor route: there's no offset and your pension is paid in full, but the Supplement earnings test and post-employment ethics rules still apply. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  5. 3d ago

    How Much Life Insurance Do Federal Employees Actually Need?

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense How much life insurance do you actually need as a fed? Not a round number, and probably not 10x your salary. Here's the simple formula: what your family needs, minus what's already in place, equals the gap to insure. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  6. 3d ago

    Military Retirees in Civil Service: How Your Military Pension and FERS Work Together

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Retired from the military and now in civil service? You can collect both your military pension and FERS, just not for the same years. Here's how the military deposit and waiver work, the exceptions, and why giving up your military retired pay rarely pays off. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  7. 6d ago

    Veterans in Federal Service: 5 Benefits You Might Be Missing

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Are you a veteran in federal service? You may be leaving money and benefits on the table. Here are five to check this Veterans Day week, from your military deposit to how your VA disability stacks with FERS. Quick facts: 1) Military deposit: buy your active-duty time into FERS for 3% of your military basic pay. It's interest-free for 2 years after you're hired, then interest applies (4.25% for 2026), and it must be paid in full before you retire. Example: about $120K of basic pay over 4 years of active duty means a deposit of about $3,600. With a $120K High-3 and the 1% multiplier, that adds about $4,800 a year to your pension, roughly $120K over 25 years of retirement before COLAs. 2) Annual leave: non-retired veterans' military years count toward your leave rate (4 hours per pay period under 3 years, 6 hours for 3 to 15 years, 8 hours for 15+ years). Military retirees usually get credit only for war, campaign or combat-disability time. 3) Disabled Veteran Leave: 104 hours credited up front (full-time) for veterans with a 30%+ service-connected rating, to use within 12 months for treatment of that condition. 4) RIF protection: within each tenure group, 30%+ disabled veterans (AD) are kept first, other preference-eligible veterans (A) next, and non-veterans (B) are released first. Check that your SF-50 shows your preference. 5) VA disability stacks on top of FERS: it's tax-free, FERS doesn't reduce it, and you don't need to waive it to buy back military time. Military retired pay is different and usually must be waived. Health care: VA care isn't insurance and doesn't replace FEHB. You need FEHB for the 5 years before you retire to keep it, and for military retirees FEHB pays before TRICARE. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

  8. 6d ago

    Your FEHB Open Season Checklist: 7 Steps Before Dec 14

    Federal employee within 12 months of retirement, or already retired, with $1 million+ invested? Book a free 15-minute Fit Call: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/whatservicemakessense Open Season runs Nov 9 – Dec 14, and premiums are up by double digits for the third year in a row. Here's a 7-step checklist to review your FEHB, dental, vision and FSA in about an hour, before the deadline. Quick facts: 1) Mark the dates: Open Season runs Nov 9 – Dec 14 (11:59 pm). New coverage starts Jan 1, 2027 for retirees and Jan 10, 2027 for employees. The average increase in what enrollees pay is 8.7% (2023), 7.7% (2024), 13.5% (2025), 12.3% (2026) and 10.9% (2027). For 2027 there are 118 plan options from 45 carriers, and 9 plan options are leaving. 2) Read "Changes for 2027" near the front of your plan's brochure. If your plan is leaving and you do nothing, OPM moves you to Compass Rose Standard. 3) Compare the real cost (premium plus your out-of-pocket) for a normal year and a bad year, because a cheaper premium can cost more in a bad year. 4) Check every doctor, hospital and prescription in next year's provider directory and formulary. 5) 65+? Line up your plan with Medicare Part B. Some plans waive deductibles or pay part of your Part B premium, and a late-enrollment penalty can apply if you add Part B later. 6) Healthy? Look at an HSA plan: the 2027 limits are $4,500 for Self Only and $9,000 for Self Plus One or Family, plus $1,000 if you're 55+, and the plan's own HSA deposit counts toward the limit. 7) Re-enroll in FSAFEDS (it doesn't carry over) and review FEDVIP (dental up 1.0%, vision up 1.6% on average). New for 2027: adding a spouse or child requires proof such as a marriage certificate or birth or adoption records. Make your changes by Dec 14: employees through their agency's self-service system, retirees through OPM Retirement Services Online, and dental, vision and FSA through BENEFEDS and FSAFEDS. Then check your first January pay stub or annuity statement. Educational only, not tax, investment, or legal advice. Haws Federal Advisors | HawsFederalAdvisors.com 👇 Free Copy of My Book: Building Wealth In the TSP: Your Road Map To Financial Freedom as A Federal Employee: https://app.hawsfederaladvisors.com/free-tsp-e-book Download a copy of our Free Federal Retirement Roadmap: http://bit.ly/4vlqoGY Join our NEW LinkedIn or Facebook groups to answer/ask any federal questions: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13175084/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Gq3H4Vm5F/

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About

Federal Employees enjoy incredible benefits but it can get confusing to know exactly how to handle it all. This podcast is the place for all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your Federal benefits and federal retirement. We cover topics such as the TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, your pension, investing, and much more.

Information

  • Creator
    Dallen Haws
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    948
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Copyright 2022 Dallen Haws
  • Show Website
    Haws Federal Advisors Podcast

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