Episodes

  • Warren Buffett’s Advice Every Federal Employee Should Apply to Their TSP

    Warren Buffett’s Advice Every Federal Employee Should Apply to Their TSP
    Mar 20 2026
    What does Warren Buffett have to do with your TSP?

    More than you think.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down timeless investing wisdom from Warren Buffett and shows how federal employees can apply it directly to their Thrift Savings Plan.

    If you are a FERS or CSRS employee, this episode will help you:

    • Understand why patience beats panic inside your TSP
    • Learn how diversification really works in the C, S, and I Funds
    • Avoid costly mistakes driven by headlines and elections
    • Keep investment costs low and protect long term growth
    • Think like Buffett when building your federal retirement strategy

    Here is something most federal employees do not realize. If you own the C Fund, you already own Berkshire Hathaway. Warren Buffett is in your portfolio.

    The bigger question is whether you are applying his principles.

    Andrew explains:

    • Why logging into your TSP daily can hurt your decision making
    • How market timing transfers money from the impatient to the patient
    • Why low cost index investing gives you a long term edge
    • What Buffett would likely do if he had a TSP

    Retirement is not just about building your TSP. It is about knowing how to use it wisely when you stop working.

    If you are within 5 to 10 years of retirement, or already retired, this episode is especially important.

    Want a personalized Federal Benefits Report?
    Click the link in the show notes to schedule your complimentary discovery visit.
    https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    12 mins
  • The One Fund the TSP Is Missing

    The One Fund the TSP Is Missing
    Mar 18 2026
    The Thrift Savings Plan offers strong investment options. The C Fund. The S Fund. The I Fund. The F Fund. The G Fund. But what if your TSP is missing an entire asset class? In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair breaks down the one fund the TSP does not include — and why that gap could matter for federal employees approaching retirement. You will learn:

    • A clear overview of the 5 core TSP funds
    • How the L Funds are structured
    • Why real estate behaves differently than stocks and bonds
    • The difference between public REITs and private real estate
    • How TSP participants over 59½ or separated from service can explore broader options
    • Risks and restrictions of self-directed IRAs
    • Why diversification is about risk-adjusted return — not chasing performance

    If you are a FERS or CSRS employee preparing for retirement, this episode will help you think more strategically about income, inflation, and long-term diversification.
    Want a personalized Federal Benefits Report?
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or schedule a Discovery Visit today.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    13 mins
  • The TSP Mistake That Costs Federal Employees Thousands

    The TSP Mistake That Costs Federal Employees Thousands
    Mar 6 2026
    Are you accidentally leaving free money on the table in your Thrift Savings Plan? For federal employees under FERS, your 5 percent TSP match is one of the most valuable retirement benefits you have. But every year, federal employees miss out on thousands of dollars simply because they structure their contributions incorrectly.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down:

    • How the FERS TSP match really works


    • The biggest mistake federal employees make when maxing out contributions

    • Why maxing out too early can cost you part of your match

    • How to calculate the correct per-pay-period contribution

    • What to do if you're retiring mid-year

    • Dollar amount vs percentage contributions — which is better?

    • The 20 percent household savings rule that changes retirement outcomes


    If you are approaching retirement or already planning your FERS exit, this episode could protect tens of thousands of dollars in lifetime retirement income. Your agency match is not a bonus. It is part of your compensation. And missing it is like skipping a paycheck. If you want a personalized federal benefits report that shows:

    • Your pension estimate

    • Survivor election impact

    • TSP optimization

    • Tax planning strategy

    • Retirement income distribution modeling


    Click the link in the show notes to schedule a Discovery Visit with our team.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    11 mins
  • Best Retirement Strategies for Dual Federal Employees

    Best Retirement Strategies for Dual Federal Employees
    Feb 27 2026
    If you and your spouse are both federal employees, your retirement strategy needs to be coordinated — not duplicated.

    In this episode, Andrew McNair breaks down the three most important strategies dual FERS and CSRS couples must understand before retiring:

    • How to coordinate FEHB between spouses
    • Smart Survivor Benefit (SBP) decisions for dual feds
    • Social Security timing strategies that protect the surviving spouse
    • When to self-insure vs. use SBP
    • How taxes change after the first spouse passes
    • How to bridge income using your TSP

    Many dual fed couples assume they can simply “mirror” each other’s benefits but that mistake can cost thousands in unnecessary taxes, lost income, or survivor shortfalls. If you and your spouse both work for the federal government, this episode will help you protect both pensions, coordinate healthcare, and maximize lifetime income. If you would like a complimentary Federal Benefits Report showing your benefits side by side, schedule your Discovery

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    12 mins
  • Can I Retire with $300K in My TSP?

    Can I Retire with $300K in My TSP?
    Feb 20 2026
    If you are a federal employee under FERS or CSRS, the answer is not as simple as comparing your balance to a million-dollar headline. Your TSP is only one part of your retirement income. In this episode, Andrew McNair walks through:
    • How your FERS pension changes the equation
    • How Social Security fits in
    • What the 4 percent rule really means
    • How to calculate retirement income from $300K
    • The risks of inflation, healthcare, and longevity
    • When retiring early might actually work
    • Why it is not about the balance… it is about the plan
    If you are approaching retirement and wondering whether your TSP balance is “enough,” this episode will help you replace fear with clarity.

    Schedule your complimentary Discovery Visit using the link below: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    If you would like a personalized Federal Benefits Report, visit swanncapital.com or call 800-848-8768.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    14 mins
  • How to Maximize Your FERS Benefits in 2026 (Pension, TSP, Social Security & FEHB)

    How to Maximize Your FERS Benefits in 2026 (Pension, TSP, Social Security & FEHB)
    Feb 6 2026
    Federal employees have some of the best retirement benefits available, but only if you know how to use them correctly. In this episode of Federal Benefits Explained, Andrew McNair walks through how to maximize your FERS benefits in 2026 by coordinating the five pillars of your federal retirement: your pension, TSP, Social Security, Special Retirement Supplement, and health and insurance benefits.

    Many federal retirees unintentionally leave income or coverage on the table simply because they do not understand how these benefits work together. This episode is designed to replace confusion with clarity and help you make confident decisions before you file your retirement paperwork.

    You will learn:

    • How to determine if you qualify for a full, unreduced federal pension
    • When the 1.1% pension multiplier applies and whether working longer is worth it
    • How much to realistically save in the TSP, even if you are late in your career
    • Why being too conservative in the G or F Fund can increase long-term risk
    • How to think about Roth vs Traditional TSP contributions in today’s tax environment
    • How to coordinate Social Security with the FERS Supplement and spousal benefits
    • What you must do to keep FEHB into retirement
    • How to approach FEGLI as costs rise with age

    Andrew also explains why a personalized Federal Benefit Report is the most important step you can take before retiring, helping you see your benefits clearly before you check the boxes that cannot be undone. If you are a FERS or CSRS employee planning to retire in 2026 or beyond, this episode will help you protect what you have worked decades to earn.

    Schedule your complimentary Discovery Visit using the link below: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more weekly guidance on federal retirement planning

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    19 mins
  • Best Ways to Withdraw from Your TSP in Retirement

    Best Ways to Withdraw from Your TSP in Retirement
    Jan 30 2026
    If you’re a federal employee or retiree, understanding how and when to withdraw from your TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) can make a significant difference in your retirement outcome. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of Swan Capital, breaks down the rules, strategies, and common mistakes around TSP withdrawals that federal employees need to avoid. You’ll learn:
    • When you can actually start taking penalty-free withdrawals from your TSP (including the key differences for regular, special provision, and early retirees)
    • The critical impact of state and federal taxes on your withdrawals—and why where you live in retirement still matters
    • How to choose between monthly, lump sum, or annuity options, and why most federal retirees should avoid the “one-size-fits-all” TSP annuity
    • The pros and cons of each withdrawal method, including how RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) work and why strategic timing matters
    • Why a careful income plan is vital to ensure your pension, Social Security, and TSP withdrawals work together—not at cross-purposes
    • The benefits of letting your Roth TSP compound, coordinating withdrawals with a CPA and financial planner, and common pitfalls like pushing yourself into higher Medicare premium brackets
    Andrew also explains how smart planning around TSP contributions, Roth vs. Traditional strategies, and relocation timing can dramatically improve how much you keep, not just how much you earn.

    Bottom line: You don’t spend gross income in retirement - you spend net. If you want personalized guidance, our team includes financial planners, a CPA, and an estate planning attorney, all under one roof, serving federal employees nationwide.

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more episodes breaking down federal retirement benefits in plain English.


    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    13 mins
  • States Don’t Tax Federal Pensions

    States Don’t Tax Federal Pensions
    Jan 16 2026
    If you’re a federal employee or retiree covered under FERS or CSRS, where you live in retirement can make a six-figure difference over time. In this episode, Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital, breaks down which states do not tax federal pensions and why taxes alone should never be the only factor when deciding where to retire. You’ll learn:
    • Which states currently do not tax FERS and CSRS pensions
    • How state taxes quietly erode your retirement income over time
    • Why cost of living, healthcare access, and community matter just as much as tax savings
    • How relocating could help your TSP stretch further—or even allow you to retire earlier
    • Common mistakes federal retirees make when choosing a “tax-friendly” state
    Andrew also explains how smart planning around TSP contributions, Roth vs. Traditional strategies, and relocation timing can dramatically improve how much you keep, not just how much you earn.

    Bottom line: You don’t spend gross income in retirement - you spend net. If you want personalized guidance, our team includes financial planners, a CPA, and an estate planning attorney, all under one roof, serving federal employees nationwide.

    Schedule your complimentary Federal Retirement Benefit Report:
    Call 1-800-848-8768 or email info@swan-capital.com

    Subscribe for more episodes breaking down federal retirement benefits in plain English.

    If you’d like help reviewing your TSP allocation or creating a personalized federal retirement strategy, schedule your complimentary visit today: https://calendly.com/swancapital_/nocostconsultation

    To receive a customized Federal Retirement Report, call 1-800-848-8768 or visit swan-capital.com.
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    12 mins