Rayna Retirement

If both you and your spouse work (or worked) for the federal government or Postal Service, your retirement planning opportunities—and decisions—look a little different. In this episode, Rayna Reyes explains her popular "Twinkies" analogy for dual federal couples and walks through one of the biggest retirement choices they'll face: survivor benefits.

Rayna breaks down how FERS survivor benefits work, when they may (or ma...

After years—or even decades—of federal service, it's easy to focus on the daily grind and forget everything you've accomplished along the way.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes offers a different perspective. Using the classic songs "Proud Mary" and "Ol' Man River" as inspiration, she reflects on the lasting impact of a federal career—not just in terms of income, but the skills you've developed, the...

Thinking about moving money out of your Thrift Savings Plan? Before you make a decision, it's important to understand how TSP rollovers actually work—and how to avoid unnecessary taxes and costly mistakes.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains the difference between direct and indirect rollovers, why the type of account you move your money into matters, and how proper planning can help protect your retirem...

As prices continue to challenge household budgets, finding practical ways to save money has never been more important. In this podcast extra, Retirement.Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Stephen Perrine, executive editor of AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin, to discuss AARP's annual 99 Great Ways to Save guide. 

The conversation covers:

• Smart grocery shopping strategies that can help reduce impulse spending.
...

When it's time to retire from federal service, completing your retirement application is only part of the process. There are several critical forms that can have a lasting impact on your retirement income, your family, and your financial legacy.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes walks through the three key documents every federal employee should understand before submitting a retirement application. From life insuran...

Retirement planning isn't just about filling out paperwork—it's about making informed decisions well before your retirement date arrives.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains why federal employees should begin planning for retirement months—or even years—ahead of time, even though many agencies won't allow retirement applications to be submitted until you're within a specific window. She discu...

Retiring from federal service isn't as simple as filling out a few paper forms anymore. Today's retirement process is increasingly digital, and for many employees, that can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Rayna Reyes explains how federal retirement has evolved, from OPM's online retirement application to managing your TSP account online and submitting required documentation electronically. More importantly, she shares why you d...

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) can feel overwhelming, especially when you log into the website and are greeted with charts, fund options, and contribution limits. In this episode, Rayna Reyes walks through what all of those numbers actually mean in plain English.

Learn the difference between the five core TSP funds and the Lifecycle (L) Funds, how contribution and catch-up limits work in 2026, why Roth versus Traditional contributio...

Are you nearing retirement from federal service and wondering what to do about Medicare Part B?

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes breaks down one of the most confusing aspects of retirement planning for federal employees. She explains how Medicare enrollment rules differ for postal and non-postal employees, discusses a real-life example of someone who paid hundreds of dollars each month unnecessarily because of a com...

Retirement isn't a single event—it's a series of milestones that continue long after your last day on the job.

In this episode, Rayna Reyes walks through the major checkpoints every federal employee can expect during retirement planning. From preparing your retirement application and choosing survivor benefits to navigating TSP decisions, interim pension payments, Social Security, Medicare, and Required Minimum Distributions ...

If you're a federal employee planning to retire before age 62, one of the most valuable retirement benefits you have may also be one of the least understood.

In this episode, Rayna Reyes breaks down the FERS Special Retirement Supplement—who qualifies, how it's calculated, how long it lasts, and what can cause it to be reduced.

She also explains the Social Security earnings test, what counts as earned income (and what doesn't...

Could one of the most valuable benefits in your federal career also be one of the most misunderstood?

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains why FEGLI Basic Life Insurance is often worth keeping—even if you're considering purchasing private life insurance. She breaks down what Basic coverage costs while you're working, the retirement options available after age 65, and why keeping at least a portion of your...

Planning your federal retirement can feel a lot like going through a fast-food drive-thru: once you pull away, changing your order isn't always easy. In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains why slowing down before retirement can save you from costly mistakes later. She walks through the key elections that deserve a second look, the essential documents every federal employee should gather, and why reviewing your re...

You've spent years building your retirement savings—but do you have a plan for taking that money out efficiently?

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains how federal income tax brackets work and why understanding them can help retirees make smarter withdrawal decisions from accounts such as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement accounts.

Rayna breaks down the concept of ti...

June is Annuity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to take a closer look at one of the most misunderstood retirement planning tools.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes breaks down two of the most important concepts inside fixed indexed annuities: caps and participation rates. Learn how these features affect your potential earnings, how fixed indexed annuities differ from variable annuities, and why understand...

Most federal employees spend years building their Thrift Savings Plan—but few understand what happens when that money is passed on to the next generation.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explores one of the most overlooked aspects of federal retirement planning: the TSP inheritance rules. While the TSP can be an excellent retirement savings vehicle, its beneficiary rules can create unexpected tax consequences...

You retired. You submitted the paperwork. Now you're waiting.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes explains what really happens after federal and postal employees retire and their paperwork moves from Human Resources to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

If you're wondering why your retirement hasn't been finalized yet, what interim payments mean, or whether your situation is experiencing unusual delays, this epi...

Retirement paperwork can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

In this episode of Rayna Retirement, Rayna Reyes breaks down the Online Retirement Application (ORA) system that federal and postal employees use to submit their retirement paperwork. From gaining access through Human Resources to navigating login.gov and uploading critical documents, Rayna walks listeners through what to expect and how to avoid common frustrati...

Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Ryan Potter about the growing issue of hearing loss among first responders and why protecting hearing health is so important in high-pressure emergency situations. Dr. Potter explains that long-term noise exposure impacts an estimated 80% of law enforcement officers, 40% of firefighters, and 45% of EMS providers, creating challenges that can affect both job performance...