Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast

What happens when you've saved enough money to retire but haven't figured out what comes next? Tony Hixon, author of Retirement Stepping Stones: Find Meaning, Live with Purpose, and Leave a Legacy, shares the personal experience that changed the way he thinks about retirement planning. After his mother retired with financial security but struggled to find purpose in her new life, Tony realized that preparing for retirement requires much more than getting the numbers right.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Tony Hixon: Website | LinkedIn
• Retirement Stepping Stones by Tony Hixon
• Hixon Zuercher Capital Management
• Retirement Stepping Stones Workbook
• Find Meaning, Live with Purpose, and Leave a Legacy TEDx
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

How can you tell whether a financial planner is genuinely credible, or whether you're being pushed into a decision you may regret? In this episode, we explore two sides of financial planning that can have a big impact on how confidently you use your money and choose professional advice. We start by looking at how our memories of the past can influence today's spending decisions, why we can become anchored to what things used to cost, and how putting expenses into the context of your current income can change your perspective.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Insurance is one of those parts of financial planning that most people would rather not think about, but getting it wrong can have a much bigger impact than choosing the wrong investment. It's not particularly exciting, and ideally you'll never need to use it, but the right coverage can provide the foundation that allows the rest of a financial plan to work as intended. In today's episode, we're dissecting the role insurance plays in financial planning with Broc Buckles, co-founder of BC Brokerage. Listen in to learn how umbrella liability coverage works, why disability insurance costs vary based on occupation and risk, how underwriting can differ for military and other higher-risk professions, and how the long-term care insurance market has changed.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Broc Buckles: LinkedIn
• BC Brokerage
• FEFP: Why Federal Employees Can't Afford to Ignore Insurance with Broc Buckles (EP98)
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

When should you claim Social Security, and how do you know if the "optimal" strategy actually fits your retirement plan? In this episode, we react to a White Coat Investor article exploring whether Social Security should be claimed early and invested or delayed for a larger guaranteed benefit. You'll learn why Social Security optimization is about more than a simple break-even calculation, how delaying one spouse's benefit to age 70 can create higher lifetime and survivor income, and why federal employees may have more flexibility because of their pensions and other guaranteed income sources.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Federal Survivor Benefits eBook
• Refer a Friend
• Webinar Registration
• Episode 73: Maximizing Social Security with Elaine Floyd
• Social Security Shake-Up: What Proposed Changes Mean for Federal Employees
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What if being financially ready for retirement is only half of the equation? In this episode, we sit down with Bob Laura, financial planner, speaker, author of Retirement Intelligence, and pioneer in the psychology and social science of retirement and legacy planning. He joins us to share how to prepare for the transition beyond the numbers and create a meaningful retirement before you leave the workforce.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Fill out the Mason & Associates Podcast Listener Survey for a chance to win a copy of Retirement Intelligence
• Retirement Intelligence by Bob Laura
• Bob Laura: LinkedIn
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

How do you know if you're truly on track for retirement? And what should you be doing differently at 30, 40, 50… or just six months from leaving federal service? In this episode, John and Tommy break down retirement readiness by life stage, exploring the financial, tax, investment, insurance, and estate planning decisions that matter at different points in your career.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Could a single dollar cost you hundreds more in Medicare premiums? In this mailbag episode, we answer some of the most common retirement planning questions from listeners, beginning with how to avoid IRMAA surcharges and why Medicare planning really starts at age 63. You'll learn how strategies like Roth conversions, bracket-topping, and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) work and why every strategy should be tailored to your individual financial plan.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What questions do federal employees need answered before making major retirement decisions? In this mailbag episode, John and Tommy tackle listener questions about the FERS annuity supplement, Social Security taxes, Social Security claiming strategies, and retirement income planning. You'll learn how returning to work after retirement can impact your supplement, how to manage Social Security tax withholding, and why retirement decisions require more than a simple one-size-fits-all answer.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What really happens behind the scenes after 350+ client meetings in just six weeks—and what do those conversations reveal about how people are thinking about money, life, and the future? John and Tommy wrapped up their 2026 Strategic Planning Meeting season earlier this quarter, and in this episode, they are going over some of the top questions their federal employee clients asked.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Saving for retirement is only half the battle; knowing how to get your money out without getting burned by taxes or rigid rules is where things get complicated. In this episode, John and Tommy dive deep into the specific Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) mistakes that are rarely talked about but can cost federal employees thousands. From the operational headaches of unfair tax withholdings to the danger of default account selections, they share exactly how to maintain control of your wealth.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

Are you maximizing the true value of your federal benefits, or are you unintentionally leaving money on the table? In this special episode, John and Tommy present an updated version of a classic seminar originally created by the firm's founders in the 1990s—now made current for 2026. They break down the unique complexities of the FERS system and expose the critical blind spots that often lead federal employees to make major, irreversible retirement mistakes.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What happens when the financial plan you created five years ago no longer matches the life you're living today? In this episode, John and Tommy explore why great financial planning is never static and how the best plans evolve alongside career changes, unexpected opportunities, market shifts, retirement decisions, and personal goals. Through real-life client stories, they break down how ongoing financial planning relationships help people confidently navigate uncertainty, major career transitions, and complex financial decisions.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What should federal employees actually do with their life insurance, and when does FEGLI stop making sense? In this episode, John and Tommy break down everything you need to know about Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), including Basic coverage, Options A, B, and C, and how these choices evolve throughout your career and into retirement. You'll learn how FEGLI pricing really works, why Option B becomes expensive over time, and when it might make sense to explore term life insurance instead.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• FEFP: Why Federal Employees Can't Afford to Ignore Insurance with Broc Buckles (EP98)
• https://www.term4sale.com/
• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn

What really happens after you accept a Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) offer—and how do you know if it was the right move? In this episode, you'll learn what federal employees experienced on the other side of DRP, from emotional uncertainty to financial outcomes, and why preparation made all the difference. The conversation breaks down how DRP worked, who it benefited most, and what to expect if similar opportunities arise in the future.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Ben Raikes: LinkedIn

Do you actually understand how recent tax changes could impact your financial plan? In this episode, we break down several important tax topics, including Trump accounts, Virginia tax changes, Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and estimated tax payments. Tax laws are constantly changing, and what seems permanent today may change with the next administration, which is why tax planning should always be part of a long-term financial strategy.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Ben Raikes: LinkedIn

Is claiming Social Security early really the smartest move, or could it cost you more in the long run? In this episode, you'll learn how financial planners actually think about claiming strategies beyond the headlines and viral YouTube advice. We break down the real factors that matter and why there's no "one-size-fits-all" answer when it comes to turning on your benefits.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• FEFP: Maximizing Social Security with Elaine Floyd (EP73)

Are federal employees sitting on far more wealth than they realize? In this episode, financial planners Tommy Blackburn and John Mason break down the fundamentals of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and explain why your pension is only one piece of a much larger financial picture. You'll learn how the FERS pension formula works, what your "high-three" salary actually means, and how factors like minimum retirement age, years of service, and turning 62 can impact your retirement income. The conversation also covers how employee contributions have changed over time, how the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) match works, and why understanding these core pieces is essential when planning your financial future.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Avoid the Top Financial Mistakes Made by Federal Employees
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Federal Employee Financial Planning: FERS Part 1 (EP5)
• Federal Employee Financial Planning: FERS Part 2 (EP6)
• Federal Employee Financial Planning: FERS Part 3 (EP7)

Are you choosing your Medicare plan based purely on math or on what truly fits your life? In Part 2 of our Medicare 2026 series, Bryan Gay, owner of Boomer Insurance and seasoned Medicare expert, returns to expand your understanding of the options available, especially if you're a federal employee or enrolled in TRICARE for Life. You'll learn why Medicare decisions aren't just about premiums and deductibles, why there's no one-size-fits-all solution, and how to evaluate whether switching plans actually makes sense for your situation.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Bryan Gay: LinkedIn
• Traditional Medicare vs Advantage: Luxury Ride or Bus Pass? (EP46)
• FEHB: Shifting Landscape of Medicare, FEHB, and Part D (EP47)
• The TRICARE For Life Medicare Advantage: Rethinking Options (EP48)
• Medicare Masterclass on Enrollment and the Inflation Reduction Act (EP87)

Is your Medicare plan still working for you, or are you just hoping it is? In this episode, we're joined by Bryan Gay, owner of Boomer Insurance and a seasoned Medicare expert, fresh off another busy Annual Enrollment Period. Bryan breaks down how Medicare enrollment really works, what changed this past year, and why a "one-size-fits-all" approach often leaves people underinsured or overpaying.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• Bryan Gay: LinkedIn
• Traditional Medicare vs Advantage: Luxury Ride or Bus Pass? (EP46)
• FEHB: Shifting Landscape of Medicare, FEHB, and Part D (EP47)
• The TRICARE For Life Medicare Advantage: Rethinking Options (EP48)
• Medicare Masterclass on Enrollment and the Inflation Reduction Act (EP87)

Ever wondered what actually happens after you book an intro call with Mason & Associates? In this updated episode, we walk you through our new client experience from start to finish, including how our process works, what our fees look like, and what it's really like to work with us long term. Even if you're not ready to become a client, this episode gives you a clear picture of what to expect so you can make informed decisions, whether you hire us or someone else.

Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC

Resources Mentioned:

• Mason & Associates: LinkedIn
• Tommy Blackburn: LinkedIn
• John Mason: LinkedIn