HeyJaredFederal Benefits Explained
Federal Benefits Explained is a podcast designed to help federal employees make sense of their retirement benefits with clarity and confidence.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 10
- Latest publication
- Sep 4, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 3, 2026
Latest episodes
Why Retiring December 31 Could Create a Tax Surprise (opens the original)
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December 31 may seem like the perfect retirement date for federal employees, but it can create unexpected tax issues if you are not careful. In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why year-end retirement timing matters under FERS, especially when annual leave payouts, final salary, pension income, spouse income, Roth conversions, Medicare IRMAA, and TSP withdrawal strategy are all involved. A clean calendar date can sometimes create a messy tax situation. Andrew breaks down how annual leave lum
The FERS 1/12th Rule: How One Day Can Delay Your Pension (opens the original)
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Federal employees: your FERS pension does not necessarily start the day after you retire. In this episode, Andrew McNair explains the FERS 1/12th rule and how OPM calculates your annuity start date. Under FERS, your pension generally begins accruing on the first day of the month after you separate. That means retiring even one day too late could delay your first pension check by an entire month. Andrew breaks down why January 2 and January 31 can create very different pension timing, why FERS an
Federal Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave (opens the original)
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Federal employees often wonder whether unused sick leave and annual leave help their retirement. Under FERS, they are treated very differently. In this episode, Andrew McNair explains how unused sick leave can convert into creditable service and potentially increase your FERS pension calculation, while annual leave does not add to your pension. Instead, annual leave is generally paid out as a lump sum after separation. Andrew also breaks down common sick leave myths, including whether sick leave
Can Federal Employees Retire Mid-Pay Period? (opens the original)
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Can a federal employee retire mid-pay period and still get credit for that time? In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why your retirement date matters under FERS and how choosing the wrong day could cost you service credit, final leave accrual, and pension income over time. OPM generally counts full months of service when calculating your FERS annuity, which means retiring mid-month or mid-pay period may not work the way many federal employees expect. Andrew breaks down why the end of the mon
What Happens to Your TSP When You Die? Beneficiary Mistakes Federal Employees Should Avoid (opens the original)
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What happens to your TSP when you die — and who actually receives the money? For many federal employees, the Thrift Savings Plan may be one of the largest retirement assets they leave behind. But your will or trust may not control where your TSP goes. In many cases, the beneficiary form or TSP order of precedence may determine what happens next . In this episode, Andrew McNair explains why TSP beneficiary designations are so important for federal employees and retirees. You’ll learn what can hap
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