Navigate Your Federal Retirement with Confidence. You've Earned It.

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About Us
We Are Experts in Strategic Retirement Planning for Federal Employees

At Commonwealth Strategy Advisors, we help Federal Employees eliminate the guesswork and transition confidently into retirement. We will never charge for assistance (see FAQs), and our
recommendations and solutions will be tailored to you and your unique situation. You’ll receive personalized pension and benefit projections, expert assistance with retirement paperwork, strategic income planning, and comprehensive investment management advice—all from a licensed financial advisor committed to the fiduciary standard of putting your interests first.

If you'd like to step into your retirement with a deliberate plan based on informed decisions and sound advice, contact us.

Get in touch Book a Q&A Call with Caleb
Retirement made easy
Understanding your Options and Getting Confident Starts Here

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    Navigate the fine print with expert help

    Zero-Cost Retirement paperwork assistance

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    Strategic FERS retirement planning

    Develop a tactical plan for your retirement.

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    Personalized pension and Social Security projections

    Get tailored pension, FERS Supplement, and benefit projections based on you and your FERS career.

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    Investment Planning and Income Strategies

    The Annuity Estimate from HR can only tell you so much.

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How can we help?

Click Here to view Caleb's calendar and book a virtual one-on-one. If you're not ready for an appointment, you can still send Caleb a question using the below form:

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+16198367907
Location

2377 S El Camino Real, Ste 222
San Clemente, CA 92672 USA

Hours
  1. Monday
    9:00am
    –
    5:00pm
  2. Tuesday
    9:00am
    –
    5:00pm
  3. Wednesday
    9:00am
    –
    7:00pm
  4. Thursday
    9:00am
    –
    5:00pm
  5. Friday
    9:00am
    –
    5:00pm
  6. Saturday
    10:00am
    –
    2:00pm

Caleb Daggett / Finra CRD#: 7368086
We make it our mission to provide you with smarter, more effective service.

Caleb has been in the Federal Employee retirement space since 2017, and founded CSA in 2021. As the head of Commonwealth Strategy Advisors, he is dedicated to helping federal employees take a strategic approach to retirement planning.

He's a licensed fiduciary, and an expert in the FERS and CSRS retirement systems, specializing in benefit planning, strategic income strategies, and wealth management tailored to the unique needs of federal employees nearing retirement. His expertise lies in simplifying complex financial concepts into plain-English, and offering clear and actionable advice, and his hands-on approach has earned him a reputation for transparency, professionalism, and compassion.

Outside of work, he's a devoted family man who enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Julie and their dog, Peter.

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Navigating your federal benefits as you approach retirement
December 16, 2024 at 8:51 PM
by Caleb Daggett, President

As you approach retirement, navigating your federal benefits can feel overwhelming. Understanding how to maximize your federal retirement benefits, including pensions, FERS, CSRS, and TSP accounts, is crucial for ensuring financial security. With careful planning and informed decision-making, you can make the most of the benefits earned throughout your Federal career.

At CSA Financial, we specialize in guiding Federal employees through their retirement process, empowering them with knowledge and actionable strategies. Let’s explore key tips to help you secure your financial future as a Federal retiree.

Strategies to Maximize Federal Benefits Before Retirement

Developing a clear strategy for your Federal retirement benefits starts with understanding the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

  1. Review Your Retirement Plan:
    • FERS Participants: Understand your Basic Annuity, Social Security benefits, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts.
    • CSRS Participants: Focus on how your final salary and years of service affect your annuity, and understand your TSP account.
  2. Compare Retirement Scenarios:
    • Analyze the financial impact of starting Social Security at age 62 vs. reaching full retirement age.
    • Use tools available on TSP.gov or consult a financial advisor to project your future income.
  3. Engage in Retirement Planning Seminars:
    • Many Federal agencies and external organizations offer workshops to help you understand benefit calculations, tax implications, and FEHBP (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program) options, or the PSHBP starting in 2025 for USPS employees .
  4. Seek Expert Advice:
    Working with a financial advisor who specializes in Federal retirement planning ensures you tailor your strategy to your unique situation.

Key Considerations in Pension Planning

Federal pensions are a cornerstone of retirement security. Here are some key factors to consider:

  1. Understand Your Pension System:
    • FERS: Offers a three-tiered system: Basic Annuity, Social Security, and TSP.
    • CSRS: Provides a robust annuity and TSP, but does not include Social Security benefits.
  2. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):
    • Take advantage of TSP’s low fees and employer-matching contributions while working.
    • Consider fund allocation based on your risk tolerance (G, F, C, S, I, and L Funds).
  3. Retirement Timing:
    • Retiring at the end of a pay period or fiscal year can maximize benefits like cost-of-living adjustments.
    • Avoid early retirement penalties by meeting Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) requirements under FERS.
  4. Health and Life Insurance:
    • Evaluate how your FEHBP or PSHBP and FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance) coverage options change post-retirement.
    • Consider supplementing your FEHBP with Medicare for enhanced coverage.

Actionable Tips for a Secure Federal Retirement

To maximize your Federal retirement benefits, follow these actionable steps:

  1. Gather All Necessary Documents:
    • Collect retirement estimates, TSP statements, and benefits summaries.
    • Review resources on OPM.gov and TSP.gov for official guidelines.
  2. Set Clear Financial Goals:
    • Calculate expected retirement expenses, including healthcare, housing, and leisure.
    • Create a financial roadmap to determine the optimal time to retire.
  3. Review Your TSP and Pension Options:
    • Review your fund allocations to assure your investments align with your risk tolerance.
    • Strategize your TSP withdrawals to take what you need while still allowing for potential growth.
    • Explore the benefits of rolling over your TSP into an IRA for greater investment flexibility and tax discretion.
  4. Leverage Professional Guidance:
    • A financial advisor experienced in Federal benefits can provide personalized insights into maximizing your annuity, retirement funds, and other benefits.

Conclusion: Plan Today for a Stress-Free Tomorrow

Retiring from Federal service is a significant milestone, but it requires careful planning to ensure financial security. By understanding your FERS or CSRS pension, optimizing your TSP, and making informed decisions about your benefits, you can secure a comfortable retirement.

At CSA Financial, we are committed to helping Federal employees like you navigate the complexities of retirement planning. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a secure and prosperous retirement.

Don't worry- everyone's got questions.

  • That one's simple- No. You certainly can, and I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from doing so, but the fact is that:

    • You DON'T have to call HR and request the retirement booklet
    • You DON'T have to call in to attend a counseling session where they probably won't answer most of your questions
    • You can download it off of the OPM.gov website, fill it out and send it in.

    Or we can do that for you for no charge whatsoever.

  • At Commonwealth Strategy Advisors, we specialize in guiding Federal Employees and USPS workers through the complexities of retirement planning. Our services include personalized pension and benefit projections tailored to your unique situation. We assist with retirement paperwork to ensure you don’t miss any critical steps. Our strategic planning services for FERS retirement help you understand your options and optimize your benefits. With zero-cost assistance, we empower you to make informed decisions that pave the way for a secure financial future.

  • FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) is the retirement program for most Federal employees. It includes three components:

    • A basic FERS annuity (pension) based on your service years and High-3 salary
    • The Special Retirement Supplement "SRS" (if you qualify)
    • Social Security benefits
    • The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions.

  • Your FERS annuity is calculated using this formula:
    Multiply your High-3 Salary by the length of your FERS career and multiply by .01.

    Example: Your annuity estimate says your High-3 Salary is $75,265, and you have 22 creditable years of service (CYS). Your annual annuity will be ($75,265 x 22) x .01, equaling $16,558 annually or about $1,380 monthly. If you retire at age 62 or later with 20 or more CYS, you would multiply by .011 to reflect the 10% bonus. This is why FERS employees between age 60 and 62 with 20+ creditable years of service may want to reconsider leaving before hitting that age 62 milestone. However, everyone's situation is different.

  • When you retire, your TSP funds remain invested as they were while you worked. Fund allocations can be changed anytime through your TSP.gov account. Your options for accessing, or not accessing your account are as follows:

    • Do nothing- You won't be required to withdraw funds until your Required Minimum Distributions begin (this applies to both traditional and ROTH accounts).
    • Set up systematic withdrawals.
    • Take a partial or complete lump-sum distribution
    • Take a life annuity
    • Roll it into an IRA

  • Eligibility depends on your age and years of service:

    • MRA (Minimum Retirement Age) + 10 years (reduced benefits).
    • MRA + 30 years (full benefits).
    • Age 60 + 20 years or Age 62 + 5 years (full benefits).
      For FERS Employees, your MRA is between 56 and 57, depending on your birth year.
    • If you are retiring with full eligibility, you will retain your health benefits with no lapse in coverage. For those who retire under the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) plus 10 provision, health and life insurance coverage is suspended until your annuity begins.
    • You must be covered for health insurance at the time of retirement and
    • You must have been continuously covered by FEHB, TRICARE, or the Civilian Health and Medical Program for Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS):
      • for five years immediately before retiring; or:
      • during all of your federal employment since your first opportunity to enroll

  • If you have 30 or more creditable years of service, knowing your MRA means knowing when you can retire with full benefits. What year were you born?

    Birth Year:

    • 1953-1964: 56
    • 1965: 56 and 2 months
    • 1966: 56 and 4 months
    • 1967: 56 and 6 months
    • 1968: 56 and 8 months
    • 1969: 56 and 10 months
    • In 1970 or later: 57

Your privacy matters.

Effective August 18th, 2024

Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to safeguarding the personal information you share with us. This privacy policy explains how Commonwealth Strategy Advisors (referred to as “we,” “our,” or “the Company”) handles personal information collected via our website and online lead generation forms. Please note that this policy does not apply to current clients of Commonwealth Strategy Advisors, who are subject to a separate privacy policy, nor to current or former employees of the Company.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

  • Contact Information: Name, phone number, and email address
  • Date of Birth
  • Financial Information
  • Employment Information
  • Cookies and Usage Data

How We Use Your Information

The personal information we gather is used to communicate with individuals and provide financial services. Specifically, we may use your information:

  • To contact you via phone or text to follow up on your interest in our services
  • To send marketing emails to individuals who have expressed interest in our offerings
  • To generate lead reports
  • To assess and improve our marketing and lead generation strategies
  • To illustrate the benefits of establishing a business relationship with the Company
  • To assist with retirement paperwork
  • For general business operations

Sharing of Information

We do not sell or disclose personal information to third parties, except to affiliated entities providing related services or as necessary to fulfill service requests. Additionally, we may share information with third-party service providers that support our marketing and lead generation activities, provided they agree to maintain the confidentiality of the information.

Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access, modification, disclosure, or destruction of data. These measures include:

  • Conducting internal reviews of data collection, storage, and processing practices
  • Enforcing physical security protocols to protect systems where personal data is stored

Accessing and Updating Your Information

You have the right to access, correct, update, or request the deletion of your personal information. To exercise these rights, please contact us at caleb@commstrategic.org. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period.

California Residents

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), California residents have specific rights regarding their personal information. These include the right to:

  • Know what personal information is collected and shared
  • Access their personal information
  • Opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
  • Restrict the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
  • Correct inaccurate personal information
  • Delete personal information

To exercise your rights under the CCPA, please send a written request to caleb@commstrategic.org. Please note that these rights are exclusive to California residents.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy as needed. Any updates will be posted on our website, and the effective date will be revised accordingly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to remain informed about how we handle your personal information.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this privacy policy, please contact us at caleb@commstrategic.org

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