FedImpact: Candid Insights for Your Federal Retirement

Chris Kowalik, ProFeds

Chris Kowalik is a federal retirement expert and frequent speaker to federal employee groups nationwide. In her highly-acclaimed Federal Retirement Impact Workshops, she 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. Topics include: The U.S. federal government's 401(k)-style Thrift Savings Plan Federal employees pensions (CSRS and FERS annuities) Life insurance Survivor benefits programs Federal retirement eligiblity Taxes in retirement Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and much more Produced by: My Federal Retirement read less
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Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition)
Feb 15 2023
Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition)
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares Super Bowl insights and what that has to do with your retirement from federal service. Key takeaways: What to do when you find yourself as the “underdog”How to keep your head in the game and be “In it to Win it?”When your play calling becomes a crucial element of your game strategyWho to rely on for guidance and leadership when the stakes are highWhy to always keep your eye on the game clock & understand the rules of the game
Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition)
Feb 15 2023
Retirement - Are You in it to Win it? (Super Bowl Edition)
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares Super Bowl insights and what that has to do with your retirement from federal service. Key takeaways: What to do when you find yourself as the “underdog”How to keep your head in the game and be “In it to Win it?”When your play calling becomes a crucial element of your game strategyWho to rely on for guidance and leadership when the stakes are highWhy to always keep your eye on the game clock & understand the rules of the game
Striving for Financial Freedom in Retirement
Jan 3 2023
Striving for Financial Freedom in Retirement
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares how taking these steps early can help you to retire with financial confidence. Key takeaways: NUMBERS: what facts and figures need to be on your radarTIMELINE: what does your retirement countdown look likeADVANTAGES: what unique decisions are available to you to give you an unfair advantage over your peersMINDSET: what shifts may need to be made to your thinking about your big retirement plan
Why Your Agency's Retirement Estimate Isn't Enough
Nov 15 2022
Why Your Agency's Retirement Estimate Isn't Enough
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, talks about three areas where federal employees need to pay special attention to when they’re requesting and reviewing the retirement estimate from their agency: ACCURATE: are the numbers right? COMPLETE: are all the numbers and options there (even just for your federal benefits)? ENOUGH: is the information presented enough to make a full decision?
Your Mindset on TSP in a Down Market
Oct 25 2022
Your Mindset on TSP in a Down Market
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses how your mindset may shift on you when the TSP takes a tumble. Key takeaways: Different stages of your investment journey (and how it changes your perspective on loss)Assessing your risk tolerance as it relates to your TSPHow long it takes to recoup your money after a down marketHighlights the #1 problem with TSP once you are retiredWhat to do now if your account has already taken a loss
Playing Offense & Defense in Retirement
Sep 20 2022
Playing Offense & Defense in Retirement
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses how playing both offense and defense can help federal employees to retire ready. OFFENSE: Increasing the money you have to live the retirement you wantDEFENSE: Protecting that money from others who want to take it from youBIG QUESTION: Are you playing to win, or are you playing to not lose?
Your Retirement Scorecard
Aug 29 2022
Your Retirement Scorecard
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reveals 20 critical financial topics to get squared away before retiring from federal service. CURRENT SITUATION: an honest assessment of where you are today PENDING DECISIONS: looking ahead to key decisions when you officially retireRED FLAGS: indicators of imminent threats to your retirement plansTIMELINE: a step-by-step countdown of action items to be ultra prepared BONUS: Instant access to ProFeds' Retirement Readiness Quiz
TSP's Comedy of Errors in 4, 3, 2, 1...
Aug 2 2022
TSP's Comedy of Errors in 4, 3, 2, 1...
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses the legitimate frustrations that federal employees have felt about the TSP's recent transition to its new platform – and how feds can protect themselves despite TSP's errors.
The 3 Key Professionals to Have in Your Corner
Jul 8 2022
The 3 Key Professionals to Have in Your Corner
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reveals the 3 key professionals federal employees should have in their corner as they prepare to retire – and how to get started.
Why Federal Employees Should Avoid "Rules of Thumb"
Jun 24 2022
Why Federal Employees Should Avoid "Rules of Thumb"
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reveals common "rules of thumb" and why federal employees are persuaded to follow them – and what to do instead.
5 Places Where Feds Should Not Go to For Advice
Jun 7 2022
5 Places Where Feds Should Not Go to For Advice
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, offers insights into where federal employees  should not be seeking advice from – and where to go instead.
How the FERS Supplement is Affected if You Work After Retiring
May 24 2022
How the FERS Supplement is Affected if You Work After Retiring
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, gives the simple formula to know if federal retirees might work themselves right out of the Special Retirement Supplement if they have a job after leaving federal service.
Why High COLAs are Not a Good Thing
May 10 2022
Why High COLAs are Not a Good Thing
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reveals why high COLAs actually mean less money in the pockets of federal retirees.
FEGLI Option C (When You Have No Eligible Family Members)
Apr 26 2022
FEGLI Option C (When You Have No Eligible Family Members)
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reviews FEGLI Option C coverage and what happens when you no longer have eligible family members who are covered.
Rules for Keeping FEHB in Retirement
Apr 12 2022
Rules for Keeping FEHB in Retirement
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, covers the 3 rules that federal employees must follow to be allowed to keep their health benefits (FEHB) in retirement.
The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty
Mar 29 2022
The TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, reveals the rules of the early withdrawal penalty (and how to avoid it) when taking money out of the TSP prior to age 59 1/2.
The Goals, the Gap and the Gains
Feb 11 2022
The Goals, the Gap and the Gains
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses why goal setting can leave federal employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.  She gives real world examples of how to break down goals into manageable steps.
New TSP Withdrawal and Loan Options from CARES Act
May 20 2020
New TSP Withdrawal and Loan Options from CARES Act
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, discusses the new guidance just released by the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with respect to the withdrawals and the loan options for participants affected by COVID-19.  Is taking money out of your TSP account under these rules advantageous for you?  Or, are there some hang-ups that you haven't considered?
Volatile Market: The TSP and the Coronavirus
Mar 10 2020
Volatile Market: The TSP and the Coronavirus
Federal retirement expert Chris Kowalik discusses the financial impact of the coronavirus is having on federal employees who are investors in the Thrift Savings Plan. Specifically, she addresses: Is there a reason to panic?  Should you rebalance your TSP because of this market downturn? Are there any weaknesses exposed in TSP when we have a volatile market?
Understanding the Financial Impact of Proposed Benefits Changes for Federal Employees and Retirees
May 22 2018
Understanding the Financial Impact of Proposed Benefits Changes for Federal Employees and Retirees
Federal benefits expert Chris Kowalik discusses the financial impact recent proposed changes to federal pay, benefits and retirement will have on both federal employees and retirees.   Chris provides insight on the likelihood of whether each of the proposed changes may (or may not) happen -- plus some practical examples of how costly they could be if implemented.
Pros and Cons of TSP Lifecycle (L) Funds
Feb 26 2018
Pros and Cons of TSP Lifecycle (L) Funds
Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, shares the advantages and disadvantages of the Lifecycle Funds (L Funds) within the Thrift Savings Plan .   Key take-ways: What are the Lifecycle Funds -- and how are they different than the other funds in the Thrift Savings Plan?Some important challenges of the L FundsHow the mixture of investments in the L Funds changes over timeWhat rate of return investors in the L Funds can expectHow L Funds work in the Traditional TSP and Roth TSP Listen to Chris' other podcast episodes or read the transcript on My Federal Retirement