Federal Benefits Updates for 2024

February 26, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes back our original program guests Tammy Flanagan, NITP Senior Benefits Director, Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, Marc Levine, Esquire, and Tom O’Rourke, Counsel. This is our final episode. We have enjoyed our weekly conversations for the past 18 years. Thank you to our loyal listeners for tuning in as we discussed topics ranging from benefits to finance to estate planning and everything in between. Our guests gather today to share their memories, stories, and closing thoughts. Join us as we reminisce about the years of hosting this radio program. We hope you have learned a great deal over the years and encourage you to visit our website to stay in touch with NITP. For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 12, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire. We will discuss how your assets pass to your loved ones: Through joint ownership of land; Through joint ownership of bank and brokerage accounts; Through government beneficiary forms (including new rules for the TSP); and Through non-government beneficiary forms, and how often they may differ from each other. We will also discuss what we can do when the unexpected and unplanned transfer happens. For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

February 5, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®. The new year is a great time to review: Investment allocations and rebalancing needs Cash flow and budgeting for the new year Retirement contributions, plans and projections Insurance coverage, needs and premium changes For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 29, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA®, welcomes Bob Braunstein, Federal Benefits Specialist. Have you ever considered how much additional income your loved ones might need if you were suddenly gone? Have you planned their survivor benefits? Today’s program will focus on answering these questions: What types of Federal survivor benefits would go to your loved ones if you pass away? How can you be sure the benefits you have planned/elected for your survivors will be enough? If you have not elected benefits or designated specific beneficiaries, will your survivors be eligible for them anyway? What survivor benefits must be elected? Can you make these elections later or must they be in place before you pass away? Who ensures your survivors receive benefits? What is your Federal agency’s responsibility? OPM’s responsibility? Should survivor benefits be part of your financial plan? Are these benefits taxable? Which are and which are not?   For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January 8, 2024 on ForYourBenefit, our host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Herb Casey, Federal Benefits Specialist. Topics include: Income COLA for FERS and CSRS retirees Salary pay raises & new locality rates Social Security Maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax COLA Earning limitations FEHB Insurances Increased premiums 12 fewer plans Medicare Rising premiums for Medicare Expansion of mental health coverage Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program Increasing premiums Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Contribution limits Secure 2.0 changes For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

November 27, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, and Kaitlin Schaeffer Yardley, CFP®. Karen and Kaitlin will talk about: The new and improved 529 plans Other strategies for meeting education costs Educating children about money For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 30, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Marc Levine, Esquire, to talk about Health Care Directives. What is a Health Care Directive (and is it different from a Health Care Power of Attorney)? What should l look for in my Health Care Agent? Why an advocate matters. What is the difference between my Health Care Directive and a Do Not Resuscitate? What is MOLST? Resources for health care decisions. What else does my health care directive do? How does my Health Care Directive interact with my Power of Attorney? For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 16, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Brian Kurrus, CFP®.  Our guest today will talk about cash flow planning and debt payoff strategies for Federal employees and retirees. How much of an emergency fund do you need? How should you invest these assets? Which debt should you pay off first? What is the impact of higher interest rates on debt in general? Should you pay down your mortgage before retirement? What other cash flow changes might you have in retirement? For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October 2, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® and co-host Karen Schaeffer, CFP®, welcome Kay Bransford, Daily Money Manager, Professional Financial Advocate & Fiduciary, MemoryBanc. We never know what life will bring. Too often spouses, partners, family, and friends are unable to help because they do not have the information they need. If you are unable to manage the day-to-day bill pay and expenses, how will your loved ones: Pay for the household expenses? Cover your healthcare needs and know what resources are available to pay for medical expenses? Manage if you are terminally ill or die and they have no information about your accounts, retirement plans, insurance, loans? For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

September 25, 2023 on ForYourBenefit, host Bob Leins, CPA® welcomes Tom O’Rourke, Counsel. On today’s program, Tom will discuss how Federal employees can use their Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program as a tax reduction tool. Specifically, how all FEHB premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses can be paid on a pre-tax basis. Tom will also talk about how a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be used to both reduce current tax liability and be used as a vehicle to accumulate funds to pay future health care costs. For questions or comments, email us in advance at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices