Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked before people book, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call and ask.
What does a benefit review cost?
Nothing, and there is no obligation attached to it. All reviews are done online and run about 30 minutes. If you leave with a plan you can carry out yourself, that is a good outcome.
How does Internal Benefit Advisors get paid?
There is no obligation attached to the review, seminars, or report. If you want to know how the firm earns its money, ask — you will get a straight answer, and you will have it before you decide anything.
Are you part of the government, or endorsed by OPM?
No. Internal Benefit Advisors is a private firm. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the federal government, the Office of Personnel Management, the Thrift Savings Plan, or any federal agency.
When should I start planning my retirement?
Earlier than most people do. Several of the decisions that matter — deposits for non-deduction service, FEGLI elections, the allocation your TSP has been sitting in — are far easier to act on with five years to run than with five months. That said, we see plenty of people three months out, and there is still work worth doing.
Do you work with people who have already retired?
Yes, and it is a large part of the practice. Withdrawal strategy, required minimum distributions, the Medicare decision at 65, rising FEGLI costs and beneficiary reviews after a life change all sit on the far side of the retirement date. See planning after you have retired.
What do I need to bring to a review?
Your most recent leave and earnings statement, your latest TSP statement, any annuity estimate your agency has produced, and your Social Security statement if you have one. If you have none of it, come anyway — we can work out what to request.
Do you only work with people near your offices?
No. All reviews are done online, and we work with federal employees across the country.
Can you help with the retirement paperwork itself?
Yes. We go through the package form by form before it is submitted and check the elections against what you actually decided. See retirement paperwork.
Do you give investment advice?
[ADVICE SCOPE]
Will you contact me repeatedly if I request the report?
No calls unless you ask for one. You can unsubscribe from any email we send.
Questions about your own situation
General answers only go so far. Most of what matters depends on your service history, your dates and your elections — which is what the review is for.