Your Federal Life

Mar 12 2025 86 ep. 23 mins 19
Your Federal Life Podcast artwork

Each week, Tom Temin, Drew Friedman and contributors to Federal News Network’s workforce coverage provide listeners with actionable information on the management of their careers and financial lives. Your Federal Life covers topics ranging from federal pay and benefits to retirement and retirement planning, hiring, career planning, and federal personnel policy.

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Your Federal Life -- Mar. 12, 2025

Mar 12 2025 23 mins  
Just what do you get if you're caught up in a reduction in force? Like those Education Department employees RIF'd just this week. And what about if you decide to retire early? Federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan has been getting lots of these questions lately. She joins me now with a few answers. Plus, is the goal of reducing the federal workforce by 10% wrong? Or just the wa

Your Federal Life -- Mar. 5, 2025

Mar 05 2025 21 mins  
Federal employees worried about their jobs are also worried about their family finances and health care coverage. In fact, cash flow and health care *should* be at the top of your concerns now. More now from RMG Financial Advisors certified financial planner Thiago Glieger. Plus, whether the Trump administration will be great for the economy, as promised, is yet to be seen. Tariff

Your Federal Life -- Feb. 19, 2025

Feb 19 2025 23 mins  
Events of the last few weeks have caused federal managers' heads to spin. The resignation offer, the closure of agencies, the new policy schedule. All these developments have sparked lawsuits. One of the litigants is the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. For some of the what's and wherefores, I spoke to NARFE staff vice president John Hatton. Plus, with a

Your Federal Life -- January 29, 2025

Jan 29 2025 25 mins  
With the Fork-in-the-Road memo asking every federal employee to consider resigning, lots of feds are suddenly thinking of retiring. Don't let the weirdness of the situation push you into a hasty decision, though. I went over this in detail with federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan of Retire Federal. Plus, the government barely avoided a shutdown last month. Anything could happ

Your Federal Life -- January 15, 2025

Jan 17 2025 22 mins  
Federal employees, and to some extent all public servants, are wondering precisely what the next few days an months will bring. Lots of questions of a practical nature, like when will new Social Security benefits flow under repeal of old limitations. And, what happens Monday when Donald Trump re-enters the oval office. I got some informed speculation from the staff vice president o

Your Federal Life -- Jan. 8, 2025

Jan 08 2025 23 mins  
Far be it from us to spoil the optimism of the fresh, new year. But senior career managers in government might want to consider preparing for the worst. Suppose the coming Trump administration does get Schedule F in place. Are ready for a forced retirement or change in career? I got some advice, from retirement expert Tammy Flanagan. Plus, 2025 has finally arrived, and you'll be a

Your Federal Life -- Dec. 18, 2024

Dec 18 2024 23 mins  
A new feature arrives soon for participants in the Thrift Savings Plan. Starting in January 2026, a year from now, participants will be able to make Roth conversions within the TSP. That’s not the only changing at the TSP. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman recently caught up with the TSP’s director of external affairs, Kim Weaver. Also, it's so close, those in favor can pr

Your Federal Life -- Dec. 4, 2024

Dec 05 2024 23 mins  
The government might be operating on a continuing resolution. Individuals should take better charge of their own financial lives before the end of the year. Including optimizing your Thrift Savings Plan. We got some tips from RMG Advisors financial planner Thiago Glieger. Plus, thousands of federal employees will retire come the end of the month. Good retirement planning covers you

Your Federal Life -- Nov. 20, 2024

Nov 20 2024 25 mins  
It's the season of seasons. Thanksgiving season. Christmas season. And for federal employees, it's the middle of open season, which runs until December 5. It has a lot of moving parts. For more, we turn to long time expert in all things having to do with federal employment and post-employment, Tammy Flanagan. Plus, just about six weeks left in 2024. Come January, you'll be a year o

Your Federal Life -- Nov. 13, 2024

Nov 14 2024 20 mins  
Open season means federal employees have homework. Time spent now planning for your health care coverage can pay off later … both in money and health. For some things to think about, I spoke with principal Thiago Glieger of RMG Advisors. Plus, the stock market continues to defy logic, something it seems to do best. Just look at what's been happening this week. Now some 117 thous