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Mason and Associates
США
Добавлен 12 май 2017
Mason & Associates is a fee-only financial planning firm for federal employees. We're located in Newport News, Virginia and work with clients locally and throughout the United States. Michael Mason, Certified Financial Planner™ and his brother, Kenneth Mason RICP® have spent over three decades providing financial planning services and serving as financial advisors to federal and government employees. Today, our team has grown to five senior financial planners who all specialize in serving federal employees retiring under FERS, CSRS, and CSRS-Offset retirement systems. John Mason, Certified Financial Planner™, Tommy Blackburn, CFP®, CPA, PFS, and Ben Raikes, CFP®, EA also have a combined three decades of experience providing financial planning and tax planning services.
Investment advisory services offered through Mason & Associates, LLC
Investment advisory services offered through Mason & Associates, LLC
Social Security Shake-Up: What Proposed Changes Mean for Federal Employees
Are you curious about the future of Social Security? With proposed changes to taxation and potential expansion of who is eligible for benefits, it's more important than ever to understand how these changes could impact your retirement.
In this episode, John, Tommy, and Ben, explain the complexities of Social Security, as well as year-end reflections. You'll learn about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), as well as how they can currently significantly reduce your Social Security benefits. You'll also discover the potential impact of making Social Security benefits tax-free, how it could affect your overall retirement income, and the importance ...
In this episode, John, Tommy, and Ben, explain the complexities of Social Security, as well as year-end reflections. You'll learn about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), as well as how they can currently significantly reduce your Social Security benefits. You'll also discover the potential impact of making Social Security benefits tax-free, how it could affect your overall retirement income, and the importance ...
Просмотров: 1 475
Видео
Mortgage Strategies for Federal Employees: Insights with James Anderson of CapCenter
Просмотров 8414 дней назад
Are you a federal employee curious about the best mortgage strategies in today’s market? In this episode, John and Tommy are joined by James Anderson, Regional Market Manager at CapCenter, to explore how inflation, interest rates, and economic resilience impact federal employees looking to buy or refinance. Learn why interest rates might improve over time, how to navigate today’s market without...
Federal Employee Tax Planning is a Year-Round Sport- Insights and Collaboration with Rachel Meredith
Просмотров 90Месяц назад
Are you still relying on traditional tax preparation methods or software? In this episode, John, Tommy, and special guest Rachel Meredith from Banks Mountain Financial dive into the crucial difference between tax planning and simple tax preparation. They explain why a proactive, year-round tax strategy is key to long-term financial success, as well as how their seamless collaboration helps clie...
Understanding Financial Planner Fees: The True Cost of Expertise for Federal Employees
Просмотров 130Месяц назад
Are you paying the right price for financial advice? Join Ben, Michael, John, and Tommy as they break down the complexities of financial advisor fees and the real value behind them. They’ll reveal the “all-in” costs clients face and explain why fees aren’t always comparable, shedding light on what makes a financial advisor worth their price. Through this episode, you’ll learn to assess the true...
2024 Election Special & Your Financial Plan: What Federal Employees Should Know
Просмотров 150Месяц назад
What happens when emotions mix with investments? In this episode, we dive into the intersection of politics, markets, and personal finance. John and Tommy share insights on how to design a portfolio that minimizes unknowns, regardless of political changes. You’ll learn why staying the course is crucial-even when market predictions seem tempting-and how a solid, long-term strategy can help you a...
FERS Pension Explained: Key Retirement Options and Benefits for Federal Employees
Просмотров 1,4 тыс.2 месяца назад
Are you a federal employee planning for retirement but feeling overwhelmed by your options? In this episode, Michael, Ben, Tommy, and John break down the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), explaining key retirement benefits and strategies to maximize your pension. From the differences between immediate retirements to the role of sick leave and survivor benefits, this episode covers what...
Estate Planning Across State Lines for Federal Employees
Просмотров 912 месяца назад
What happens to your estate planning documents when you move between states? In this episode, Megan Ingram and Julie Steinbacher from Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak share expert advice on the legal implications of relocating and how it affects your estate plan. You'll learn about the importance of keeping your documents updated, especially after major life changes or moves, and how laws like th...
Episode 75: Why Federal Retirees Need Specialized Advice
Просмотров 1662 месяца назад
Are you confused about when to refinance your mortgage or how interest rates affect your decisions? In this episode, John, Tommy, and Ben dive into critical financial topics for federal retirees navigating today's housing market. You'll learn about the challenges of refinancing, when it's a good idea, and when you might want to hold off. They also explore discount points, what makes buying a ho...
Ep 74: Protecting You from Yourself- Why Federal Employees Benefit from Financial Planning
Просмотров 2333 месяца назад
Are you truly prepared for the unexpected? In this episode, Michael, Tommy, and John dive into how to protect yourself financially, tackling the common objections and biases they encounter in their decades of experience. You’ll hear key insights on insurance, including how to ensure you’re covered before you need it, how FEGLI Option B compares to Basic, and why life and disability insurance ar...
Episode 73: Maximizing Social Security with Elaine Floyd
Просмотров 1583 месяца назад
What’s the best way to maximize your Social Security benefits? In this episode, Tommy and John dive into this critical topic with expert Elaine Floyd, CFP®, who shares insights from her extensive experience in retirement and life planning. Elaine explains the intricacies of Social Security, emphasizing that your benefit and retirement strategy should be tailored to your unique situation, rather...
Episode 72: Are You Ready to Hire a Financial Advisor?
Просмотров 964 месяца назад
Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast Episode 72- Are you Ready to hire a Financial Advisor? Is it the right time to hire a financial planner? In this episode, Tommy, John, and Michael dive into the intricacies of financial planning and highlight the importance of expert guidance. They discuss the pitfalls of trying to manage your finances alone, the risks of bad advice, and why getting p...
Episode 71: Activate Millionaire Powers
Просмотров 1804 месяца назад
Are you wealthier than you think? In this episode, John, Tommy, and Mike will explore how you can activate your millionaire powers and start making decisions based on what you can afford, rather than what you think you can’t. They’ll discuss the importance of having a proactive approach to financial planning, so you’re prepared to make well-informed decisions before it’s too late. Listen in to ...
Episode 70: Mastering Your Financial Plan
Просмотров 865 месяцев назад
Episode 70: Mastering Your Financial Plan
Episode 69: Distribution Planning Assumptions for Federal Employees
Просмотров 1175 месяцев назад
Episode 69: Distribution Planning Assumptions for Federal Employees
Episode 68: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Competitive Advantages & Disadvantages
Просмотров 3576 месяцев назад
Episode 68: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Competitive Advantages & Disadvantages
Episode 67: Financial Planner to Client Ratio
Просмотров 1316 месяцев назад
Episode 67: Financial Planner to Client Ratio
Episode 66: Get the Most Out of Your Financial Planner
Просмотров 1496 месяцев назад
Episode 66: Get the Most Out of Your Financial Planner
Episode 65: Are Virtual Meetings as Good as In-Person?
Просмотров 1007 месяцев назад
Episode 65: Are Virtual Meetings as Good as In-Person?
Episode 64: An Inside Look at Strategic Planning Meeting Season
Просмотров 1037 месяцев назад
Episode 64: An Inside Look at Strategic Planning Meeting Season
Episode 62: Financial Planner Compensation
Просмотров 668 месяцев назад
Episode 62: Financial Planner Compensation
Episode 61: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Просмотров 779 месяцев назад
Episode 61: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Don't Let the Government Control Your Tax Plan! Take Action Today!
Просмотров 1449 месяцев назад
Don't Let the Government Control Your Tax Plan! Take Action Today!
Episode 59: Financial Grand Slams: Winning Strategies for Federal Employees
Просмотров 6410 месяцев назад
Episode 59: Financial Grand Slams: Winning Strategies for Federal Employees
Hail Mary or Victory Formation? Know the Score!
Просмотров 7110 месяцев назад
Hail Mary or Victory Formation? Know the Score!
Avoid the Common Financial Planning Mistakes Made by Federal Employees: Episode 3
Просмотров 19610 месяцев назад
Avoid the Common Financial Planning Mistakes Made by Federal Employees: Episode 3
What about working class social e security?
Take your leave. Life is short.
In my 40 year career, I’ve seen plenty of non-performers who should be fired
Some of the folks today are too soft, I was a fed for 40 years, no such thing as work life balance, if there is a illness or some other unforeseen issue, that’s different
News flash: WEP and GPO increase your RIB.
You cannot donate sick leave, only annual leave.
I’ve been through a lot of seminars but no one touched on what you said about spouse dying first. Except video, I’m retired military, I didn’t get the survivor plan but that was because i’m also a federal employee. I will definitely be opting into full survivor plan at retirement . The benefit is too great. You earned a new subscriber.
Thank you for watching and subscribing!
My spouse just passed away right before I retire. Obvioisly I cannot elect survivor benefit now that I no longer have a spouse so say I find another mate and we get married say 10 or 15 years from now after I retire can I then elect to have survivor benefit for the new wife?
Really enjoyed this episode I continue to learn from you guys ! Needed that reminder that the VA funding fee is waived if + 10% disability rating. In process of buying new home. Happy Holidays guys you're always improving looking forward to 2025🎉
Thank you so much for this comment! Happy Holidays!
Great to know thank s for sharing my man.
Retirement is becoming increasingly challenging for many people. Low wages, inflation, and high rent costs make it difficult to save, and now, even middle-class Americans are struggling to buy homes-leaving them with fewer retirement options.
The rising costs have disrupted my plan to retire at 62, work part-time, and save for the future. I can't help but wonder if those who went through the 2008 financial crisis had an easier time than I’m facing now. The combination of stock market volatility and decreased income is causing me concern about whether I’ll have enough saved for a comfortable retirement.
This is exactly why I value the expertise of a portfolio coach in guiding my daily market decisions. Their extensive knowledge in simultaneously managing long and short positions, leveraging risk for asymmetrical upside, and employing strategic hedging to mitigate downturns significantly enhances performance potential. With their skillset, underperformance is highly unlikely. Having worked with a portfolio coach for over two years, I have realized gains exceeding $800,000.
Speaking of coaching, do you have any recommendations? I have about $80k to invest now that large-cap stocks are trading at a discount.
Rebecca Lynne Buie has consistently been my top recommendation. She’s widely recognized for her expertise in financial markets and has a strong track record. I highly recommend her.
I looked her up online and have already sent an email. I’m eager to hear back soon.
Great episode!! Thanks fellas!!
Thank you!
I have two years before mandatory retirement. When should I have that introductory consultation?
Do you have to have $1 million in investments to work with you?
This is my question as well. Is there an actual cut off amount?
Thank you for the comment. Please consider scheduling an Introductory Meeting. There is no fee for this meeting and we can talk more about what an ongoing relationship looks like.
What if you don't have a spouse or children?
Lisandro Plaza
Yayyyy I’M WINNING
In these podcasts, your team routinely uses examples of term life policies such as obtaining a 30 year policy at age 35 or a 20 year policy at age 45… What happens after those term policies expire? Is your team of the general consensus that life insurance is no longer needed after age 65?
Great question. Your decision on life insurance should coordinate with your overall financial plan.
I'm a Fed Employee with no survirors...so yes...I will do that.
Good evening. The TSP beneficiary is completely and totally separate from the FERS? And I would use my TSP account to designate benefit? Great information. I’m just learning the differences between all these benefit forms.
Correct.
I am CSRS and retiring at the end of 2024. I am considering either 12/31/2024 or 1/3/2025. If I am understanding your example for CSRS, I could retire 1/3/25, get paid for the 1/1/2025 holiday; and my retirement is considered effective 1/1/2025, with my first interim retirement check starting effective 2/1/2025. Is that correct? Whether I retire 12/31 or 1/3, it is still in the middle of a pay period. Is there an argument for just going out on 12/31 instead of waiting until 1/3/2025? I'm just trying to maximize the best possible. I have not used a single hour of annual leave in 2024, and I have an abundance of excess sick leave to burn before the end of the year.
I recommend you schedule a call with us.
If you are both a military and Federal government retiree- can you participate in both agencies SBP? Will the spouse receive 55% of both pensions if both were paid into?
Is it true you can’t collect both a military and federal SBP if your spouse retires from both? Definitely don’t want to lose out on Federal SBP but military SBP almost paid in full and spouse is getting ready to retire from federal service. Can they be combined? Don’t want to lose what we paid into SBP but also sure the Federal plan would be higher. If he retires from both and has a SBP for both do you lose the premiums paid for the other?
You can collect both. We're so glad to hear that you have SBP on the military pension. It sounds like you're on the way to making an informed decision on the FERS SBP as well.
Does this count for former spouses that are receiving retiree pay through DFAS?
That is a great question! www.tax.virginia.gov/military-benefits-faq
Good Discussion.
Thank you!
Buy and use a better .microphone
Thank you for the feedback! We're financial planners first and we do this second. However, we're constantly improving and hope you're enjoying the videos and our podcast.
Disagree. Like all things it is situational. If both spouses are feds with pensions and healthcare, and sizable TSPs, opting for survivor benefits isn’t very clever.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We must agree to disagree. We are fans of survivor benefits when both spouses have pensions and have helped many families in this exact situation.
If you are receiving FERS supplement and you have an older spouse eligible to receive social security, would it result in a reduction in your benefit if she received her own social security? Thx!
I'm not sure I understand the question. Perhaps it makes more sense to schedule a meeting?
I would like to make a small adjustment to your presentation. A FERS employee would be entitled to the FERS supplement with at least 30 years of service at their MRA (Minimum Retirement Age). You indicated "age 57" which isn't entirely accurate. I will have 35 years of service at my MRA of 56 years, 8 months in August 2025. In my case, I would be able to retire with an unreduced FERS pension as well as the FERS supplement. Thank you for your video.
You are correct regarding MRA. We should have been clearer in the video. On one hand, we said 30 years and 57 and then a few seconds later we referenced an immediate unreduced retirement.
Option B right now before retirement I have a multiple of 2. But now that I'm retiring on October 31st and I'm working on my retirement paperwork, what does the multiple do for me if I will be turning 65 on October 27 just before my retirement date and selecting Full Reduction at retirement and according to the chart it is free with a reduction of 2% until I turn 70 that the coverage of $425,000 turn to $0. Not sure what to select as number of No Reduction multiples. Please advise at your earlies convenience.
We don't advise on RUclips but we do provide a great deal of information in our videos. I hope you find them helpful.
You found a topic that is difficult to navigate and not well understood and lacking almost any RUclips content. Thanks for the video. I’d love to see more content on the topic. From my experience if you talk to an insurance salesman they’ll definitely show the superiority of life insurance. However a guaranteed benefit is valuable and you explained that perspective of electing the full survivor benefit. Federal HR seminars seem to stay far away from this topic.
Thank you! We have a few podcast episodes on this topic as well and worked really hard to help retired military elect SBP during the open season last year.
Thank you
You're welcome!
I have been trying to deep dive into FEGLI-- everyone hates it but I don't see it as this horrible thing. I understand it is is expensive, but term life insurance eventually ends (it is a term) so after looking at numbers... it seems obvious to pick 75% reduction for basic/ standard because that is just expensive from the start and it doesn't reduce until 65 anyways so pay bare minimum premium then it goes free at 65 but it appears the 75% is only on the basic/ standard salary not the multipliers. (or I think) So at 65 while the option B increases every 5 years you still get 5x salary payout-- so you get your 75% in reduction of the 1st salary say 100,000 only but then 5x your salary so 1st salary may go to 25,500 after about four years but the option B will still pay $500,000 your family still gets a payout of 525,500 tax free payout as long as you keep paying monthly. I know you can find cheaper but usually need a medical exam, and in general all term life ends... fegli doesn't end unless you tell it too but then you just go the free route by then so will get something --- this is the first time hearing about full reduction becoming free-- so at 70 when it gets horrible I know it is bad before but somewhat affordable if you can budget, but as always after 65 you can just go the free route if you need the monthly budget. Anyways, retiring under special provisions means you retire way before 65, so just trying to figure the best strategy and not loose the benefit but yet not overpay because if you cancel fegli multiplier 5 you can't get it back same with spousal benefits.
What if you are divorced, swore on a stack of Bibles to NEVER remarry & negotiated OUT of Survivor benefits. in QDRO? Could you keep it and make a child(ren) beneficoaries?
There are so many variables in this question. We would have to read your divorce decree and separation agreement before having any opinion.
Please Help....given several answers for this..If I leave post office at 54 with 32 years.Will I stiil be able to recieve Fers special supplement when I turn 57. Even though im not employed anymore thank you ..pleaae help!
That is the question I have, too. My second question is if I am eligible for health care in the same scenario.
www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c051.pdf
Just stay until your MRA. You're almost there. Then you'll retire with a full pension and supplement.
great video
Thank you!
My husband was retired from USPS on 2019 after worked for 21 years and passed away on August 2023 (last year). Until now I’m still not receive survivor benefits from OPM. That’s bad !
Thank you for sharing your story. Are you sure that you and your spouse elected survivor benefits at retirement? If so, did you complete the necessary forms to claim any insurance and SBP? Spousal consent is required to decline SBP at retirement and the spousal consent must be done with a notary.
If end of month is a Friday, how does that affect the end of pay period?
I forgot to mention that I learned that neither Traditional Medicare or Tricare for Life cover medical procedures overseas. Traveler's insurance is always recommended. Good to know.
Most of the episode covered Tricare For Life in coordination with Medicare, and that didn't help me in particular since I'm not a veteran. But there was still a lot of good general information related to Medicare Advantage that I was not familiar with. Also we were given some real world numbers about the income related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA). That was eye-opening for me. While I agree that there was some "identification of the hosts' business ventures" but I felt it was certainly NOT over the top. Especially when I consider how much this podcast educated me about a confusing topic that is NOT being explained very well anywhere else. I welcome the opportunity to have someone boil it down for me. Thank you very much to Mason LLC and Boomer Insurance!
Thank you for the nice comment!
This episode was very well done! I learned a lot about Medicare Part D (drug coverage). There are currently 24 Part D providers in Virginia, so it could take awhile to figure out which plan does better for the drugs you may be needing. And the list of providers and coverages seems to be changing every year. Conversely, FEHB is much more consistent year-to-year, but the premiums are are also more expensive each month. I learned what the Part D copay "donut" is all about. Just in time to hear my next door neighbor complaining about it; and I said "yeah, I know what you mean!" 5 stars to Mason LLC as well as to Boomer Insurance!
Thank you!!
No spouse, no problem
Thanks for watching. Although you don't have a spouse, please share this video with friends, family and co-workers so they don't make the mistake of declining survivor benefits at retirement.
No kids, no wife, no problems in life 💪🏻
This episode really clears up a lot of confusion about what Medicare Advantage means. How it's different from Medicare Part A and B and how much it costs. And most importantly for Federal retirees, how it different from the FEHB plan we already have access to in retirement. If I desire the most flexibility to see any doctor, at any hospital, anywhere in the country, then I want FEHB instead of Medicare Advantage.
Thank you!
Lets say I retire at 58 with 33 years of service. I check both boxes for an immediate FERS pension and FERS supplement. My spouse is the same age as me and would get 1/2 of my FERS annuity. I assume that she would NOT get anything from the FERS supplement. Is this correct?
Opps, I ment to say "she would not get anything from the FERS supplement if I died betwen age 58 and 62".
www.opm.gov/retirement-center/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c071.pdf
I am confused. You talk about FEDERAL employees in NC being exempt through the Bailey settlement. I understand it is STATE employees that are exempt. I was a state employee from many year and I do not pay any NC state taxes because of Bailey.
Thank you for the comment. This may help. www.ncdor.gov/bailey-decision-concerning-federal-state-and-local-retirement-benefits. It's common that a CSRS Retiree would qualify for this treatment.
Thanks for this info. I was recently awards 100% P&T and was considering canceling FEHB. I will suspend it. Do you know if I can suspend it at anytime or does it have to be during open season?
FEHB Suspension doesn't require an open season
First, keep up the good work. I've listened to every podcast and enjoy it immensely. There was one thing in this episode that tickled my brain enough to feel the need to comment. I am absolutely still learning and do not have the breadth and depth of understanding that you do. Apologies in advance if I have something wrong in the following comment: I understand that you guys focus on the people and therefore the tax cuts of 2017 seem positive. Mike beat that stance many times. My issue was never what the tax cuts did for people, in the short term. It cut taxes for us from 2018 - 2025, which is awesome, but it also provided MASSIVE tax cuts for businesses and large corporations that were PERMANENT. People -> temporary, corporations -> permanent. It's almost like the intent of the tax code was to help corporations and politicians threw a temporary bone at us dogs to gloss over our eyes and keep us quiet. It also seemed to work.
I am retired FED and now getting the pension with 38 years when retired last June 30. I turn 62 in June 2024. The amount of money that you can make in a year is 20K. Is that pro rated since the FERS Supplement will end at the end of June? I will make about 6K sports reffing.
Congratulations on your retirement! Remember your FERS Supplement and Social Security claiming decision aren't linked. If you're interested in hiring a financial planner, we can answer more questions.
Sorry here is the question. During my time in military I contributed about $50,000 of "Tax-Exempt" contributions to my traditional TSP account (made while serving in a Tax Exempt combat zone). I recently learned the EARNINGS on these tax-exempt contributions are taxable upon withdraw. I also learned that the earnings and contributions are "mixed" together and cannot be separated. Apparently when I request a qualified distribution in the future, part will be taxable and part will be tax-exempt. I turned 59 & a half this past January 2024. I don't need to make any withdraws from these funds for a few more years at least. However, I would like to get the tax-exempt money rolled into my existing Roth IRA so it can grow completely tax free in the future. I would like to rollover the entire balance both tax-exempt contributions and taxable earnings, into my existing traditional IRA. Then immediately, have the tax-exempt portion converted into my existing Roth IRA. TSP Fact Sheet TSPFS5 (11/2023) says I should check with my IRA institution to ensure they accept Tax-Exempt rollovers. I contacted them (Vanguard) but so far have not been able to get a clear answer. I have not found any information on this subject in my online research and TSP representatives are not very knowledgeable on this topic either. Have you encountered this before and what do you advise? I am sure there are many thousands of former military personnel with a similar situation. By not converting those tax-exempt dollars into my Roth IRA, I am losing out on tax free earnings. I also just learned that Earnings on money converted to a Roth IRA cannot be withdrawn tax free until 5 years from the date of conversion regardless if you already had any Roth open for 5 years and are 59 and half or older. So time is of the essence if I am to convert this money into my Roth! Thanks for your help on this.