Episode Details

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Which FERS Mistake Could Cost You the Most Later?

If you are a federal employee getting close to retirement, these FERS retirement mistakes can affect your pension, survivor benefits, FEHB coverage, TSP withdrawals, Medicare costs, and long-term retirement income. In this video, we break down seven of the biggest federal retirement planning mistakes we see employees make before leaving federal service.

Why FERS survivor benefit elections can affect both pension income and FEHB coverage
How the wrong federal retirement date may impact annual leave, taxes, and retirement timing
Why FERS COLA rules can create long-term inflation pressure in retirement
How pension income, Social Security, TSP withdrawals, and military pension income can stack for taxes
What IRMAA is and why Medicare costs may rise after certain income events
Why coworker advice may not fit your federal retirement situation
How to think through irreversible retirement decisions before signing final election forms
Why federal retirement planning should be based on your full financial picture, not one isolated benefit

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FEDERAL RETIREMENT RESOURCES

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OPM Retirement Center:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/

OPM Survivor Benefits:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/survivor-benefits/

OPM Cost-of-Living Adjustment Information:
https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/retire-faq/post-retirement/how-is-the-cost-of-living-adjustment-cola-determined/

SSA IRMAA Information:
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0601101020

Medicare 2026 Premiums and Deductibles:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles

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TIMESTAMPS

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0:00 The 7 Biggest FERS Mistakes Federal Employees Make
1:09 Why Pension Mistakes Stay Invisible Until Later
2:13 Mistake 1: Survivor Benefit and FEHB Coordination
5:22 Mistake 2: Retiring on the Wrong Date
8:24 Mistake 3: FERS COLA and Inflation Drag
11:51 Mistake 4: Tax Stacking in Federal Retirement
14:35 Mistake 5: IRMAA and Medicare Cost Surprises
20:19 Mistake 6: Believing Retirement Myths Instead of Planning
23:21 Why Coworker Advice Can Lead to the Wrong Retirement Decision
24:17 What May Still Be Fixable After Retirement
24:40 Health Tip: Decision Fatigue and Retirement Forms
26:02 Next Step for Federal Employees Near Retirement

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WHO WE ARE

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CD Financial helps federal employees and retirees make smarter retirement decisions around FERS, TSP, FEHB, Medicare, survivor benefits, retirement income planning, and health-focused financial strategies.

Our mission is simple:

Help federal employees retire with more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Subscribe for practical federal retirement planning content designed to help you better understand your benefits, avoid common planning gaps, and prepare for your next chapter with confidence.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.

This video is for educational purp