AUTHOR ARCHIVES

Tammy Flanagan

Tammy Flanagan has spent 30 years helping federal employees take charge of their retirement by understanding their benefits. She runs her own consulting business at www.tammyflanagan.com and provides individual counseling as well as online training for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Plan Your Federal Retirement as well as the Federal Long Term Care insurance Program. She also serves as the senior benefits director for the National Institute of Transition Planning Inc., which conducts federal retirement planning workshops and seminars.

For more retirement planning help, tune in to "For Your Benefit," presented by the National Institute of Transition Planning Inc. live on Federal News Radio on Mondays at 10 a.m. ET on WFED AM 1500 in the Washington-metro area. Archived shows are available on NITPInc.com.

Results 1-10 of 574

Why Your Retirement Income May Depend on Where You Live

August 17, 2017 There are lots of different taxes in this country: federal income, state income, capital gains, sales and property, to name a few. When it comes to planning for retirement, it’s important not to forget about taxes. In previous columns on taxes, I’ve focused mostly on federal income tax, but today,...

3 Things You May Not Understand About the TSP

August 10, 2017 In last week’s column, we got into some Thrift Savings Plan issues that were fairly complicated, such as whether or not to take a lump-sum payment and use it to eliminate debt. This week, the TSP is the focus again, but I’ll keep things a little more simple. Here are...

Plan Ahead and Reap the Benefits You’ve Earned

August 3, 2017 This week, I had the pleasure and honor of addressing the annual leadership training conference of Women in Federal Law Enforcement in Houston. I’m always inspired by the bravery and integrity of these officers as I hear stories of their challenging and sometimes dangerous careers. Besides leadership and other work-related...

Thinking About Getting Out of Government? Here’s What You Need to Know

July 27, 2017 Lately, it seems like I’ve been conducting seminars for as many mid-career employees as for those nearing retirement. It’s great to see younger workers planning for the future. One difference with midcareer employees is that many of them aren’t planning to complete their careers as federal employees. I always try...

4 Things You Need to Know About Retirement Rules

July 20, 2017 On many occasions, someone tells me that they’re worried that there is something about their retirement that they may not realize that they don’t know. Often, this is why they attend a retirement seminar or end up hiring a professional to provide advice. There are good reasons for federal employees...

Weighing Your Life Insurance Options

July 13, 2017 In last week’s column, we took a look at the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance program. FEGLI is a form of group term life insurance. It has no cash value, and once you’re insured, you can choose to keep it throughout your life. For most of people, term life insurance...

Your Money and Your Life Insurance

July 6, 2017 As federal employees plan for retirement, it’s important that they reevaluate their insurance needs. This includes health, long-term care, and life insurance. The unexpected need for expensive medical care, personal care due to a physical or mental impairment or an untimely death can throw a monkey wrench into the best-laid...

Two Medicare Questions You Need to Think About

June 29, 2017 Whether you are turning 65, getting ready to retire, or just gathering information to become better informed, you may need some guidance when it comes to Medicare enrollment and benefits. There are two important questions for federal employees and retirees to consider about Medicare: How does adding Medicare help provide...

Beware of Benefits Scams

June 22, 2017 Through careful planning over years of government service, many federal workers have transitioned from employee to annuitant and are living their retirement dream. Unfortunately, some retirees have also endured nightmares. Along with large Thrift Savings Plan accounts and substantial retirement benefits come scammers and con artists who would like to...

The Hidden Cost of Federal Health Plans

June 15, 2017 Did you know that more than 25 percent of total spending under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program goes to prescription drugs? Rising drug prices and increasing drug utilization continue to drive up FEHBP premiums. Every year, the Office of Personnel Management sends a call letter to all FEHBP carriers....