The Federal Retirement Show
The Federal Retirement Show is the only podcast and web series exclusively dedicated to helping federal employees and their families plan for retirement and reach financial freedom. American Benefits Exchange specializes in providing solid financial solutions to federal, postal and state employees as well as members of the United States Armed Forces and small businesses. American Benefits Exchange brings years of experience and expert knowledge to support these niche markets. Learn more: thinkabx.com/find-an-agent-or-get-a-quote
Episodes
In episode 159 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val continues with part three of his TSP series, and breaks down the distribution phase in your TSP!
Have questions about retirement planning or other financial topics? Connect with Val and the topic could be featured in future episodes! Don't forget to leave a review and share this podcast with anyone looking to boost their financial knowledge.
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Listen to Previous Episodes:
In episode 158 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val continues with part two of his TSP series, and breaks down the preservation phase of TSP!
Have questions about retirement planning or other financial topics? Connect with Val and the topic could be featured in future episodes! Don't forget to leave a review and share this podcast with anyone looking to boost their financial knowledge.
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Listen to Previous Episodes:
In episode 157 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val break down one of the most important—yet often overlooked—stages of your financial journey: the accumulation phase. He dives deep into how your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) can become a powerful engine for long-term growth, exploring smart strategies to build your balance year after year. From the benefits of consistent contributions to the advantages of TSP’s low fe...
In episode 156 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val unveils the latest version of recent questions answered – answering common questions he receives from Federal Employees daily!
Have questions about retirement planning or other financial topics? Connect with Val and the topic could be featured in future episodes! Don't forget to leave a review and share this podcast with anyone looking to boost their financial knowledge.
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In episode 155 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val explains the 2026 TSP Contribution Limits and the intricate details you need to know to get you further prepared for your tax-free retirement.
Have questions about retirement planning or other financial topics? Connect with Val and the topic could be featured in future episodes! Don't forget to leave a review and share this podcast with anyone looking to boost their financial knowl...
In episode 154 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val takes a deep dive into a recent conversation he had with a federal employee pertaining to Survivor-Benefit options for federal employees, a crucial but often misunderstood part of retirement planning. Join Val as he walks you through the key decisions, costs, and implications that can make all the difference for you and your loved ones.
Have questions about retirement planning or o...
Ever wonder how part-time federal work affects your retirement? In episode 153 of The Federal Retirement Show, Val breaks down some of the most misunderstood aspects of part-time service under FERS — including how the Proration Factor impacts your pension, how your High-3 average salary is calculated when you’ve worked a mix of full- and part-time schedules, and what this all means for your FERS Supplement and Survivor ...
In episode 152 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val is breaking down everything federal employees need to know to retire with confidence and peace of mind. Whether you’re just a few months from your retirement date or planning years ahead, this discussion is packed with expert insights and practical steps to help you prepare.
Val covers:
- Proper advice for retiring federal employees — from understanding your retireme...
In episode 151 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val tackles the growing concerns and widespread misinformation surrounding federal retirement and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Whether you're nearing retirement or just getting started in your federal career, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction. Val provides clarity on what federal employees really need to know to make informed decisions.
Have questions about retirement planni...
In episode 150 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val is cutting through the noise and getting real about retirement planning for federal employees. There's a lot of information out there—but not all of it is accurate. We're tackling common myths and misinformation that could be steering you off course. Val also dive into a hot topic: Roth conversions. Should you consider one? When does it make sense? And how could it impact you...
In episode 149 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val takes a deep dive into one of the most critical yet often misunderstood aspects of federal employment — Disability Insurance. Whether you're just starting your federal career or nearing retirement, understanding how disability benefits work can be vital for protecting your income and planning for the unexpected.
Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to secure ...
Did you know that 70 percent of individuals will need a long-term care plan? In episode 148 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val walks you through different Long-Term Care plans and explains the plans that could be the best fit for you and your family in your retirement years.
Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to secure your financial future as a federal employee. Make sure to subscribe to The Federal Retirement ...
In episode 147 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val walks you through the key factors to consider 10 years, 5 years, and 2 years out from retirement as a federal employee.
Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to secure your financial future as a federal employee. Make sure to subscribe to The Federal Retirement Show for more episodes and leave us a review!
Have questions about retirement planning or other financial ...
In this essential episode for federal employees, Val dives deep into the biggest retirement planning mistakes and questions he gets asked frequently. sees time From misunderstood TSP strategies to healthcare confusion, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make smarter decisions for your financial future.
Val tackles questions like:
✅ Should I take a TSP loan or hardship withdrawal to pay off credit card debt?
✅...
Planning for a retirement outside the United States? In episode 145 of The Federal Retirement Show, Val discusses the pros and cons of retiring abroad, and the specific countries that could be beneficial and fit into your plans in retirement!
Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to secure your financial future as a federal employee. Make sure to subscribe to The Federal Retirement Show for more episodes and leave u...
Retirement shouldn't be a question mark - it should be a plan. In episode 144 of the Federal Retirement Show, Val explains a recent situation he came across in helping a federal employee and goes on to explain how federal employees can create guaranteed lifetime income streams and build a rock-solid financial foundation for retirement.
He breaks down:
✅ What "guaranteed income" really means—and why it matters
✅ Smart st...
In episode 143, Val breaks down the key points of the updated retirement process for Federal Employees, including the OPM/Online retirement application process and various FEGLI options available during this process.
Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to secure your financial future as a federal employee. Make sure to subscribe to The Federal Retirement Show for more episodes and leave us a review!
Have questions...
In episode 142, Val dives deep into the complexities of inheriting retirement accounts, specifically comparing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and Inherited IRAs when the beneficiary is not a spouse. If you've recently inherited a retirement account—or you're planning your estate—this episode is essential listening.
Do...
In episode 141 of The Federal Retirement Show, Val dives into the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority—better known as VERA—and what it means for federal employees weighing their retirement options. You could be a seasoned civil servant considering early retirement or a mid-career federal employee planning for the future, but understanding the true impact of VERA is critical.
Don’t miss this episode if you’r...
On this episode of The Federal Retirement Show, Val Majewski tackles one of the most important parts of a federal employee’s career: service separation. Whether you’re preparing to retire, transfer to a new role, or step away from federal service entirely, this phase brings big questions and critical decisions.
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