Rayna Retirement

Rayna Retirement

Rayna Retirement is the go-to podcast for federal employees – or anyone – looking to make smarter financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Rayna Reyes, co-founder of American Federal Benefits Consultants, this show simplifies the complexities of retirement, benefits, and financial planning. Whether you're navigating your FERS or CSRS pension, maximizing your TSP, or seeking expert advice on 401(k)s or IRAs, Rayna is here to guide you every step of the way. Tune in for practical knowledge, ethical solutions, and expert insights as you prepare for a secure and fulfilling retirement. | To contact Rayna and the team at American Federal Benefits Consultants, call 1-800-872-8857 or visit AmericanFederal.org.

Episodes

October 14, 2025 13 mins

Remember when the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) used to be full of restrictions? Those days are gone—thanks to the TSP Modernization Act. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes dives into what the law changed, how it benefits federal employees, and what smart planning looks like today.

From multiple partial withdrawals to flexible installment payments and separate Roth access, Rayn...

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Rolling over your TSP or other retirement plan can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes breaks down the do’s and don’ts of rollovers in plain English. She explains how to move your money safely, avoid unnecessary taxes, and understand what Uncle Sam is really waiting for when it comes to your retirement savings.

You’ll also hear how dif...

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Pensions are disappearing, 401(k)s are everywhere, and federal employees often face confusing decisions about lifetime income. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains the critical difference between annuitization and other lifetime income strategies that let you keep access to your retirement savings.

 Rayna breaks down what happens when you annuitize your balance—why i...

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Do you know the difference between postponed retirement and deferred retirement under the federal benefits system? In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes clears up one of the most confusing topics for federal employees. 

Rayna explains what happens when you leave federal service before full eligibility, how your pension and benefits are affected, and why choosing to postpone in...

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In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes tackles one of the most valuable—but often overlooked—benefits for federal and postal employees with prior military service: buying back your military time.

Rayna breaks down the process step by step: how to apply for VA disability, why it matters, what “military buyback” really means, and how it can dramatically increase your federal...

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In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of federal retirement planning: unused sick leave. Using humor, real-world stories, and practical math, Rayna explains why federal and postal employees may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table by holding on to their sick leave instead of using it strategically.

From specialist ap...

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They say the little things add up—and when it comes to your money, that couldn’t be more true. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes shares practical budgeting and savings strategies that help you cut costs, reduce debt, and free up cash for what really matters in retirement. 

From brewing your coffee at home to eliminating recurring fees, from rethinking your cell phone bill ...

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This week on Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes takes a step outside the world of federal benefits to focus on a topic that affects many federal families—small business ownership and retirement planning

Whether you’re self-employed, married to a federal employee, or planning to start a business after retirement, Rayna breaks down options like solo 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, Roth IRAs, and cafeteria...

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What happens to your TSP or 401(k) when you retire? In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes takes a lighthearted but practical approach to a serious topic—Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), early retirement programs, and what to do when outside 401(k)s send you unexpected tax surprises. Along the way, Rayna shares memorable stories, from the “Bad Boys” theme song in Best Buy...

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Are you a federal employee wondering about the differences between CSRS and FERS retirement systems? In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes uses her signature clarity (and a memorable Gatorade analogy!) to explain how pensions are funded, what “41/11” really means, and why CSRS employees may face excess contributions after decades of service. She also shares what happens when y...

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For federal employees, retirement doesn’t mean the paperwork ends—it just changes forms. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes walks through the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Services Online system and explains how to read and understand your monthly annuity statement. From interim checks to survivor benefits, deductions for insurance, and annual cost-of-living a...

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When it comes to retirement, few decisions are as important as when to start taking Social Security. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down the essentials—from the basics of eligibility and the 40 quarters rule, to the “break-even” concept, disability benefits, and how waiting can impact your monthly check. Rayna explains how factors like working income, spousa...

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If you’ve been saving in the TSP or another qualified retirement plan, you know Uncle Sam has been patient—but not forever. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), why they matter, and how to plan so your money lasts longer and benefits both you and your loved ones. 

Rayna shares creative analogies (coffee cups, Beatles songs, and ...

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Every fall, federal and postal employees face important decisions during open enrollment. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down how annual health plan changes impact your wallet, what to watch for in your Annual Notice of Change, and how Medicare fits into your retirement plan. 

Rayna explains Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D in plain language—plus shares real cl...

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In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down the classic three-legged stool of federal retirement planning: your pension, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Rayna explains how each “leg” works, why balance is key, and how to decide when and how to use your TSP without draining it completely. From guaranteed monthly income streams to flexible savings, she...

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In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes unpacks one of the most important—and often misunderstood—rules in federal retirement planning: the 5-year requirement for keeping your federal health insurance in retirement.

Rayna explains why this rule matters, what “consecutive coverage” really means, how switching between plans impacts eligibility, and what steps you must take to...

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Divorce is rarely simple—and for federal and postal employees, it can get especially complicated when pensions, survivor benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are involved. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes breaks down the rules around divorce-related financial obligations, including Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (Quadros), apportionments, and survivor ben...

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In this episode of Rayna Retirement, host Rayna Reyes walks you through the essential retirement forms that federal and postal employees must complete to officially begin their retirement journey. Just like needing a ticket to board a plane, your "ticket to retirement" is your completed OPM paperwork—and Rayna makes sure you know exactly what’s required, which pages matter most, and how ...

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If you’re a federal employee or retiree, understanding your survivor benefit options could mean the difference between financial stability and unexpected shortfalls for your spouse. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes breaks down how survivor benefits work for CSRS and FERS employees, who can receive them, and how they compare to life insurance payouts.

She’ll walk you throu...

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Ever feel like you’re counting down the days until your retirement like a prisoner waiting for parole? You’re not alone. In this episode, Rayna Reyes walks you through exactly when—and how—you can leave federal service under both FERS and CSRS.

Whether you’re wondering what your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) means, confused about the MRA +10 rule, or unsure if a Vera or RIF applies to yo...

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