Last updated: May 18, 2026Reviewed by John Ziesing, FRC

FRC Federal Retirement Consulting in St. Petersburg

FERS · CSRS · TSP · FEHB · FEGLI Analysis

Pinellas County hosts a substantial federal workforce, including personnel at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the United States Postal Service. Founder John Ziesing holds the Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC) designation, qualifying the firm to analyze the full spectrum of federal benefits — FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI — under a unified planning framework.

Federal Benefits Stats — 2026

2026 FERS basic annuity multiplier (age 62+)

4.6%

2026 FERS basic annuity multiplier (age 62+)

2026 TSP elective deferral limit

$23,500

2026 TSP elective deferral limit

TSP catch-up contribution (age 50+)

$7,500

TSP catch-up contribution (age 50+)

Certified federal benefit consultant

FRC

Certified federal benefit consultant

Sources: LIMRA Q1 2026, AnnuityAdvantage rate survey, ACM internal data.

Quantify the Value of Every Federal Benefit

Federal employees approaching retirement face dozens of consequential elections — most made once, most irreversible. Advanced Capital Management produces a written analysis quantifying the dollar value of each benefit and the long-term cost of suboptimal elections.

The deliverable spans survivor benefit elections, TSP withdrawal sequencing, FEHB plan selection, and FEGLI optimization — each modeled in current dollars across the projected retirement horizon.

Scope of the Federal Benefits Analysis

FERS and CSRS pension calculations and projections
TSP withdrawal sequencing and rollover strategy
FEHB plan selection optimization
FEGLI election analysis and alternatives
Survivor benefit election guidance — including the link between FERS survivor election and ongoing FEHB / FEGLI eligibility for the surviving spouse
5-year continuous-coverage rule verification for FEHB and FEGLI carry-into-retirement
Written analysis quantified in current dollars

Federal benefits consulting session at ACM

TSP vs. Private IRA: Decision Matrix for Federal Retirees

At separation or retirement, federal employees face one of the largest single decisions of their financial life: keep the Thrift Savings Plan, roll to a private IRA, or split the balance. There is no universally right answer — the optimal split depends on income needs, the value placed on the G Fund, and whether lifetime-income guarantees are part of your plan.

Feature	Keep in TSP	Private IRA
Expense ratio	~0.043% (lowest in industry)	0.03% - 1.50% (varies by fund / wrapper)
G Fund access	Yes (unique)	No equivalent exists
Investment menu	5 core funds + L Funds + mutual fund window	Thousands of mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, individual securities
Withdrawal flexibility	Installments + up to 4 partial withdrawals/yr	Unlimited, on demand
Age 55 separation rule	Penalty-free if separated in year you turn 55+	Penalty until 59½ (unless 72(t))
Lifetime-income guarantee	TSP life annuity (single MetLife quote, irrevocable)	Shop multiple carriers; income riders; FIA/MYGA flexibility
Roth conversion runway	Not allowed inside TSP	Yes — partial annual conversions available
Beneficiary / estate control	Standard TSP beneficiary form; non-spouse heirs forced into inherited IRA	Per-stirpes, trust beneficiaries, stretch planning
Creditor protection	Federal ERISA-equivalent protection	State-by-state (Florida: strong)
RMD age (SECURE 2.0)	73 (75 in 2033)	73 (75 in 2033)

When Keeping TSP Usually Wins

You separated in the calendar year you turn 55+ and need income before 59½ (age-55 rule).
The G Fund is a meaningful part of your fixed-income allocation.
You're a hands-off investor comfortable with the 5 core / L-Fund menu.
You live in a state with weak creditor protection for IRAs.

When a Private IRA Rollover Usually Wins

You want guaranteed lifetime income with the option to compare carriers (MetLife is the only TSP annuity quote).
You want a multi-year Roth-conversion runway between separation and Social Security / RMD age.
Your beneficiary plan involves trusts, charitable remainder structures, or per-stirpes designations.
You need ad-hoc withdrawals beyond TSP's 4-partial-per-year limit.

The Hybrid (Partial Rollover) Approach

For most Florida-based federal retirees we work with, the answer is both:

Keep your fixed-income allocation in TSP G Fund for principal-protected yield.
Roll the equity / lifetime-income portion to a private IRA for carrier choice on annuity income, Roth-conversion flexibility, and beneficiary control.
Coordinate the order of withdrawals so taxable / TSP / Roth come out in the most tax-efficient sequence — especially valuable in Florida where there's no state tax to soften the federal hit.

We model this split in current dollars as part of every FRC engagement so you can see exactly how each option affects your projected lifetime after-tax income.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FRC Federal Benefit Consultant?

FRC denotes the Federal Retirement Consultant designation, awarded to financial advisors who complete formal training in federal employee benefits including FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI.

What federal benefits do you analyze?

Advanced Capital Management analyzes FERS and CSRS pension calculations, TSP withdrawal sequencing, FEHB plan selection, FEGLI election strategy, and survivor benefit elections. Each engagement produces a written analysis quantified in current dollars.

How much money are federal employees leaving on the table?

Most federal employees ACM evaluates have unaddressed optimization opportunities — often in survivor benefit elections, TSP withdrawal sequencing, or FEHB plan selection. Identified inefficiencies frequently translate to thousands of dollars annually across the retirement horizon.

Do you work with federal employees outside St. Petersburg?

Yes. ACM is licensed in 11 states and serves federal employees nationwide. Consultations are conducted by phone or video conference for clients nationwide.

Should I roll my TSP into a private IRA when I retire?

It depends on what you value most. Keep your TSP if you prioritize ultra-low expense ratios (around 0.043% for the core funds), the G Fund (which has no private-market equivalent), and the federal age-55 separation rule. Roll to a private IRA if you need more investment choices, want lifetime income guarantees through an annuity, want a Roth conversion runway, need more flexible withdrawals than the TSP's installment options, or want consolidated estate-planning beneficiary control. Most federal retirees benefit from a partial rollover that keeps some assets in TSP for the G Fund and rolls the rest to a private IRA for income planning.

What is the G Fund and why does it matter for TSP rollover decisions?

The G Fund is a TSP-only government securities fund that pays the average yield of medium- and long-term Treasury notes with no principal risk. Nothing in the private IRA world replicates it — a private money-market or stable-value fund either carries credit risk or yields less. If preservation-of-principal is core to your plan, the G Fund alone can justify keeping at least part of your balance in TSP after retirement.

Can I keep my TSP after I leave federal service?

Yes, as long as your TSP balance is at least $200. You can leave the entire balance in TSP indefinitely, take installment payments, take partial withdrawals (up to 4 per year), purchase a TSP life annuity, or roll some or all of it to a private IRA. Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 (rising to 75 in 2033) under SECURE 2.0.

Request a Federal Benefits Analysis

Schedule a complimentary 20-minute review to receive a written quantification of your federal benefits package.

Book Your Free Review (727) 542-7659