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NARFE Webinar Archive

If you have questions after viewing a recorded webinar, please send them to NARFE’s federal benefits experts at fedbenefits@narfe.org.

Tax Planning for Retired Feds

Basic knowledge of the U.S. tax system and proactive tax planning can help retirees increase their after-tax income and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, many retirees fail to implement any tax planning strategies and needlessly give up hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year to unnecessary taxes.

Roth Conversions: A Path to Maximize the Value of Your TSP

For many retired TSP participants, tax planning is an afterthought rather than a proactive approach to maximize the after-tax value of their TSP. Many TSP participants simply continue to defer taxes on their traditional TSP balance until they’re forced to take the required minimum distributions. However, Roth conversions provide a proactive approach to not only help create greater after-tax balances during your lifetime but also preserve the after-tax value for your beneficiaries as well.

FEGLI: Is It the Best Option for Federal Retirees?

Life insurance is critical to your dependents’ financial well-being. Determining whether Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) is right for you, and which options to consider, can be a daunting task. (Recorded January 25, 2024)

Estate Planning: Strategies for Feds

“Estate planning” may sound like it’s just for the wealthy, but it’s not. An effective estate plan specifies not only what happens upon your death, but also what happens if you’re incapacitated. (Recorded December 13, 2023)

Choosing the Best FEHB Plan: Medicare Edition

With hundreds of FEHB plan choices, federal retirees may feel paralyzed when choosing the best health plan to fit their needs. This webinar will assist retirees who are eligible for or enrolled in Medicare in understanding the importance of choosing a health plan that works well with Medicare. (Recorded November 2, 2023)

Understanding the Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans

Federal retirees have the option of adding Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage to a Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan, or they may decide to suspend their FEHB coverage to enroll in an MA plan that is open to the public.  It is important to understand the difference between these two options and the impact choosing MA has on your coverage. (Recorded October 26, 2023)

Take Charge of Your Thrift Savings Plan Account

In this webinar, Mark Keen, CFP, will discuss key investment principals, the TSP’s investment options, and strategies to help participants make the most of their TSP accounts. (Recorded September 20, 2023)

Thrift Savings Plan: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

In this webinar, Mark Keen will detail the benefits and drawbacks of the TSP system while highlighting other investment options and opportunities, allowing you to make an informed decision on what savings plan will best suit you. (Recorded Aug. 31, 2023)

Debunking Federal Retirement Myths

To help you better plan for your future, NARFE federal benefits experts Tammy Flanagan and Mark Keen will highlight some of the common myths and misconceptions around the federal retirement process. (Recorded July 19, 2023)

Estate Planning: Strategies for Feds

“Estate planning” may sound like it’s just for the wealthy, but it’s not. An effective estate plan specifies not only what happens upon your death, but also what happens if you’re incapacitated. It helps avoid messy legal battles and ensures state law doesn’t dictate who takes care of you and who gets your money. (Recorded December 14, 2022)

Understanding Medicare Advantage Options

Most retirees enroll in Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) and use an FEHB plan as their secondary coverage, but some FEHB plans offer a Medicare Advantage option with low premiums, enhanced benefits (non-medical transportation, meal delivery and more) and Medicare Part B reimbursements. Are these plans too good to be true or the answer to your Medicare dilemma? (Recorded October 13, 2022) | Proudly sponsored by Aetna

To B or Not to B: Is Medicare Part B Right for You?

Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan gives you an in-depth look at your coverage options under FEHB and Medicare Part B, as well as the impact one has on the other when you combine them. (Recorded September 29, 2022) | Proudly sponsored by GEHA

The TSP’s New Mutual Fund Window

The TSP recently created a mutual fund window, which provides participants with access to thousands of mutual funds. But, the choice of more options comes with additional risks and costs that TSP participants need to be aware of. (Recorded September 14, 2022)

Understanding Military and Civilian Federal Service Credit

It is common for federal employees not to be aware of issues related to crediting past civilian federal employment and active-duty military service. There are, however, many critical elements that can impact your status and federal benefits. (Recorded July 7, 2022)

Managing Your TSP in Retirement

Retired Thrift Savings Plan participants have complete control over their TSP balance, but they also assume all risk and are personally responsible for the ultimate outcome.  Unfortunately, many participants lack a disciplined strategy necessary to maximize the value of their TSP. (Recorded May 5, 2022)

It’s Not Magic: Target Your Best Retirement Date

Choosing a retirement date is more complex than most federal employees realize. A wrong decision can result in leaving money and service credit on the table. Choosing one date over another can even affect your TSP withdrawals and Social Security entitlement. (Recorded March 15, 2022)

Post-Retirement Tax Planning for Federal Employees

Understanding how federal benefits are taxed can empower retired Feds to take charge of tax planning to ensure money isn’t lost to unnecessary income taxes, including stealth taxes, such as the Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount (IRMAA), that increase Medicare Part B premiums. (Recorded February 16, 2022)

Leaving Federal Service Before Retirement: What You Need to Know

During these unprecedented times, you may be taking stock of the different aspects of your life and thinking about change. If you’re a federal employee, you may be taking a hard look at your federal career and wondering if it’s still right for you. But if you decide to leave before you are eligible for an immediate retirement, what happens to all of your hard-earned federal benefits? (Recorded December 2, 2021)

Which FEHB Health Plan is Right for You?

Whether you’re a current or retired federal employee, NARFE federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan will show you how to narrow down your many FEHB plan choices, and help you select your best insurance option during Open Season.

Discover the True Cost and Value of CSRS/FERS Survivor Benefits

Whether you are a current federal employee, a retiree, or are separated and currently waiting for a deferred or postponed retirement from OPM, join NARFE federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan to learn about your survivor benefits under CSRS/FERS, and to ensure a secure future for your loved ones.

Financial Strategies for Mid-Career Federal Employees

In today’s world, things can change in the blink of an eye, particularly when it comes to finances. Financial markets can be influenced by factors like the shifting political landscape, the ongoing impact of the pandemic, and many more. Now more than ever, it’s critical to focus on your future and develop a sound financial plan for yourself and your family. (Recorded June 8, 2021)

Is There a ‘Best Date’ to Retire?

Tammy Flanagan discusses the pros and cons of an immediate versus a deferred retirement and will help you create a timeline from submitting your application until your retirement claim is finalized.

CSRS Offset: The Best of Both Worlds or a Nightmare?

Tammy Flanagan discusses steps to take prior to your retirement date, preparing for the reduction to your Civil Service Retirement System benefit, what information to relay to your spouse in the event you predecease them, and much more.

Protecting Your Federal Benefits in Divorce

Jessica Markham, attorney at law and author of “Representing Federal Employees in Divorce, a Practical Guide,” discusses key aspects of the federal retirement system and the impact of a divorce on your benefits. Attendees will learn how federal benefits are divided in a divorce and what factors to consider in the division of assets.

One Year Later: TSP Withdrawal Options

In September 2019, new rules gave TSP participants a wide range of enhanced withdrawal options. Over the past year, many retired feds have taken advantage of these new opportunities, but they’ve also encountered some limitations and shortcomings.

Act II — How Federal Reemployment Affects Your Benefits

Thinking about returning to federal service? Federal retirement benefits expert James Marshall helps you answer questions like whether your annuity will continue, if your salary will be affected and how your federal benefits may be affected.

Federal Long-Term Care Insurance – Lower Risk to Cover Future Care

Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan will help you answer critical questions about long-term care insurance, including how to understand “activities of daily living,” how care is provided and how long-term care insurance can help provide resources to pay for health care, giving you peace of mind in a crisis.

The Pros and Cons of Consumer Driven Health Plans Webinar

Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP) are the latest insurance offerings on the market as a way to reduce medical costs. With Open Season on the horizon, it’s time to learn more about these options and whether they are a good fit for you and your family.

New TSP Withdrawal Options Explained

Learn how you can increase your savings and decrease your taxes. In this webinar recorded September 30, 2019, NARFE Magazine‘s “Managing Money” columnist, Mark Keen, CFP®, offers insight on what rules have changed and what hasn’t changed with the TSP Modernization Act.

Understanding the FERS Basic Benefit

Whether retirement is on your radar or on the back burner, anyone who is under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) needs to understand the value of their government annuity and how it is calculated. NARFE federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan explains the FERS basic benefit and how it contributes to your overall retirement plan. (Recorded February 13, 2020)