Your Turn with Mike Causey

When they retire after a long career with Uncle Sam many FERS retirees hope for good health, long life and low-inflation. Not necessarily in that order. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) has introduced a bill that would take FERS retirees off their diet-COLA plan. On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we hear from NARFE's Staff Vice President for Advocacy Jessica Klement and Director of Legislative and Political Affairs John Hatton about the impact of the diet-COLA.

Even if Congress and the White House find a way to avoid another partial government shutdown there is another one coming that has your name on it — no escape. Do you have financial and medical powers of attorney in place? If so, are the persons you have selected to act as your agent still proper? And finally, have there been any events in your life — i.e. births, deaths, dementia, marriages, divorces and moves — that could have an impact on your estate plan or that you should at least discuss with your lawyer? On this episode, Tom O’Rourke, a former IRS attorney who now works exclusively on estate planning, tackles these questions. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

For the vast majority of federal workers investing in the Thrift Savings Plan is a must, period. Chances are it will provide anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of the income they have in retirement, which is a very big deal. It may be the difference between steak and hamburger or, worst case scenario, cat food. And you don’t have a cat! So if you have a TSP account what did you do in December when the high-flying stock market, after wobbling a couple months, dropped big time? On this episode, financial planner Arthur Stein talks us through the highs and lows of investing in the TSP. He has a number of federal clients including several who are TSP millionaires. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST on1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area and www.federalnewsnetwork.com.

Federal news Network reporters Nicole Ogrysko and Jory Heckman covered the shutdown from a variety of angles. On this episode of the Your Turn radio show they give their takes on why it happened, exactly what happened and what maybe happens next. Also, they share information on what your long-overdue paycheck will look like and when it will show up in your direct deposit. Your Turn airs live at 10 a.m. ET on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we’ll be talking with Ken Thomas, president of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, about what the shutdown has already done to government services and how people can get help. NARFE has been working with the federal coalition fighting the shutdown. It has also partnered with FEEA, the feds-helping-feds charity that is helping unpaid feds get by. Your Turn airs live at 10 a.m. ET on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

Everybody knows the expression what goes up also goes down. Repeat as necessary. We know the stock market retreats and advances. But after the longest running with the bull market for almost a decade, 2018, or at least the last half of it, was a bummer. Many feds, young, old or retired, invested heavily in the stock-indexed C, S and I funds are nervous in the service. On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we asked financial planner Arthur Stein what’s going on. A majority of his customers are active or retired feds, and several of them are Thrift Savings Plan millionaires. Your Turn airs at 10 a.m. EST on 1500 AM.

On this episode of the Your Turn radio show, we speak with Greg Klingler of the Government Employee Benefits Association. He's director of products and member services for GEBA. He talks about life and long term care insurance for members, 529 college savings plans and options feds have during the shutdown to make changes — or additionals — to their TSP accounts, the pros and cons of self-adjusting Lifecycle funds and ways to possibly get your financial house in better order during and because of the shutdown.

Is your TSP account suffering pre-recession blues?

Federal News Network reporter Nicole Ogrysko about the potential for a shutdown. Also on today's the show is Executive Vice President of the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association Retired Brig. General Mike Meese to discuss the new blended retirement system for military personnel. He’ll give an update on what military members are and should be doing with their Thrift Savings Plan accounts. The Your Turn radio show airs at 10 a.m. EST here on www.federalnewsnetwork.com or 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. area.

Premiums are important if you are on a limited budget. But so is the plans’ catastrophic coverage (the limit on the amount you will have to pay out of pocket if you have a serious accident or major illness in 2019). Equally important, be sure your doctor(s) will be in the network of the plan(s) you are considering. Fortunately for people looking for good coverage at a low premium there are a lot of choices among the local HMOs and national fee-for-service plans. Walton Francis, editor of Consumers Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans, answers questions from listeners on this episode of Your Turn radio show.

The possibility of a Dec. 7 partial government shutdown is another good reason feds — especially retired government workers — should pick their 2019 health plan ASAP. Walton Francis, editor of Consumers Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans, joins host Mike Causey on this week's Your Turn. He talks about best buys and explains why many more people need to switch plans.

On this week's episode of  Your Turn radio show, Walton Francis answers your questions. He's the guy who wrote the book on how to pick the best federal health plan: Checkbook's Guide To Health Plans For Federal Employees. Next Mr. Pat Grady, TRICARE Health Plan chief, tells us about changes that active military and veterans should be aware of this Open Season.

If you don’t change plans you will remain in your current plan which, if benefits change or premiums go up big time, could be a mistake. Walt Francis, a federal health plan expert, joined Federal News Network's Mike Causey on Your Turn to help you through open season.

It's open season for federal health care benefits, and this week on Your Turn, Joan Melanson and Paul Forte of Long Term Care Partners join host Mike Causey to talk about the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program and other benefits available to feds, such as dental and vision insurance. November 7, 2018

Strategies to grow your retirement nest egg