FedImpact: Candid Insights for Your Federal Retirement

Hosted by Chris Kowalik, ProFeds

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Mar 2025

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About the show

Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, empowers federal employees to make confident decisions as they plan for the days when they no longer have to work. Chris' candid and straightforward nature allows employees to get the answers they need, and to understand the impact these decisions have on their retirement.

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March 10, 20259 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 22: How Can I Access My Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews the IRS rules which allow federal employees to take from their TSP at various ages if they are RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: How do employees access TSP after they have separated (resigned or retired) How long employees have to wait take withdrawals from TSP What penalties may apply to withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20255 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 21: What Should I Know if I'm a Military Veteran?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, sheds light on what military veterans should know if they are going through a RIF process. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ensuring your veterans preference is in your service record Process of buying back your military service Retaining a receipt of your military buyback Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet Webinar replay: Breaking Down the Military Service Buyback : https://fedimpact.com/webinar/replay-breaking-down-the-military-service-buyback/

March 10, 20256 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 20: Will I Get to Keep My Government Insurance (FEHB, FEGLI, FLTCIP & FEDVIP)?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, explores the rules for keeping various government insurance programs such as health (FEHB), life (FEGLI), dental and vision (FEDVIP), and long term care (FLTCIP).). KEY TAKEAWAYS: Rules for being able to keep various federal benefits Timelines for changes to take place How the cost can change for each benefit Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet FEGLI Handbook citing 5-year rule: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/life-insurance/reference-materials/publications-forms/feglihandbook.pdf#page=114 FEHB Waiver Policy: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/reference/annuitants/#current

March 10, 20253 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 19: Will I Still Get the FERS Supplement (and When)?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews the rules for getting the FERS Special Retirement Supplement for employees who are RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Explanation of the FERS Supplement Who gets the FERS Supplement? When do payments begin? Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20256 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 18: Will I Get a Different Pension Calculation (and When)?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, explains the pension calculation that employees can expect if they are RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: The pension formula The challenge of including military service The high-3 average (and potential change to the "high-5") Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20254 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 17: What Happens if I Want to Return to Federal Service Later?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses what happens if an employee wishes to return to federal service after being RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: What processes are in place to facilitate a return to service How to return to federal service if you have already retired How to return to federal service if you left with no pension (or one that pays out later) Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series OPM's Severance Pay Fact Sheet: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/severance-pay/ Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20255 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 16: Will I Lose My Annual Leave and Sick Leave?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, helps federal employees understand what happens to their unused annual leave and sick leave if they are RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Rules for annual leave payout Rules for use of sick leave What to do to not lose any leave Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series Sick Leave Conversion chart: FedImpact.com/2087-chart Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20252 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 15: Can I File for Unemployment?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, discusses the opportunity for many federal employees to collect unemployment if they lose their job due to the Reduction-in-Force. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Who may qualify (and doesn't qualify) for unemployment Where employees go to file for unemployment How unemployment benefits may be affected by other payments received Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series USA.gov Unemployment Benefits Guide: https://www.usa.gov/unemployment-benefits U.S. Dept of Labor Unemployment: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20254 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 14: Are Cash Payments (VSIPs) Being Offered?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, reviews the possibility of cash payments being offered to federal employees as part of the RIF plan. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Rules of the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) How much are the incentives (and proposals for the amount to change) How VSIPs work with other downsizing tools (like VERAs) Who is not allowed to receive a VSIP buyout Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series OPM's guide to VSIPs: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/guide.pdf Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet

March 10, 20258 min

[Reduction in Force] Part 13: Will I Get Severance Pay and How is it Calculated?

ProFeds Founder, Chris Kowalik, explains the rules surrounding severance pay and who can expect to receive it if they are RIF'ed. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Who is eligible to receive severance How to calculate approximate severance amount How severance pay is paid out Additional resources: Link to full RIF training series: FedImpact.com/RIF-training-series LINK to severance pay calc on OPM: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/severance-pay-estimation-worksheet/ LINK to "Basic Pay" definition: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/part-550/section-550.703#p-550.703(Rate%20of%20basic%20pay) Local workshop locations and dates: FedImpact.com/attend To be introduced to a local financial professional: FedImpact.com/request-to-meet