Plan for the future
Babylon Wealth Management is a boutique financial advisor for Federal Employees. We are working with clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally. Our firm is committed to bringing simplicity to your financial life. So you can feel confident in performing your duties and planning for major life milestones. Our mission is to provide you with unbiased and trustworthy financial advice and help you make well-informed decisions considering your financial goals, retirement needs, and tax implications.
As a financial advisor serving federal government workers, military families, and veterans, we understand that you have a very unique set of personal and financial circumstances. We can help you navigate through the complex rules of retirement options and government benefits.
Federal employees are generally divided into two categories for retirement purposes.
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings plan for all full-time federal employees. The purpose of the TSP is to provide you with a platform for long-term retirement savings where you can make regular monthly payroll contributions. In many aspects, TSP resembles the 401k plans used by private corporations.
Nearly all employees of the United States Government are eligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.
You can qualify if you are:
As a federal employee can contribute up to $19,500 in your Thrift Savings Plan in 2020. Additionally, all federal employees over the age of 50 can make a catch-up contribution of $6,500 per year.
If you are a member of the uniformed services, receiving tax-exempt pay that is subject to the combat zone tax exclusion, can make contributions up to the combined limit of $57,000 per year.
Additionally, as a TSP participant, you will receive a matching contribution on the first 5% of your salary that you contribute each pay period. You will get a 1% government contribution even if you choose not to participate in the plan. The next 3% of your contributions will get a dollar-for-dollar match. The next 2% will be matched at 50 cents on the dollar. Contributions above 5% of your salary do not receive an additional match.
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employees can contribute to TSP without receiving a government match.
As a federal employee, you are entitled to a pension annuity based on your years of service, the “high-3” average salary, and your job type.
| Age | Formula |
|---|---|
| Under Age 62 at Separation for Retirement, OR Age 62 or Older With Less Than 20 Years of Service | 1 percent of your high-3 average salary for each year of service |
| Age 62 or Older at Separation With 20 or More Years of Service | 1.1 percent of your high-3 average salary for each year of service |
Certain government employees receive a pension annuity under the following provisions:
Special Provision for Air Traffic Controllers, Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers, Capitol Police, Supreme Court Police, or Nuclear Materials Couriers
Member of Congress or Congressional Employee (or any combination of the two) must have at least 5 years of service as a Member of Congress and/or Congressional Employee
The CSRS annuity is a defined benefit, contributory retirement plan. If you are a CSRS federal employee, you must share in the expense of your annuity pension. You can contribute 7%, 7.5%, or 8% of your pay to CSRS. Your federal agency will match your CSRS contribution. Furthermore, CSRS employees do not pay a Social Security tax and are not eligible for Social Security benefits.
CSRS Annuity Formula
Years of Service | What You Receive |
|---|---|
| First 5 years of service | 1.5 percent of your high-3 average salary for each year |
| Second 5 years of service | Plus 1.75 percent of your high-3 average salary for each year |
| For all years of service over 10 | Plus 2 percent of your high-3 average salary for each year. |
As a federal government employee, you are a member of the largest group life insurance program in the world, the Federal Employees’ Government Life Insurance (FEGLI). The Federal life insurance program covers over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members. Most federal employees are eligible for basic insurance coverage. You are responsible for the 2/3 of the total cost and the Government pays 1/3. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. Additionally, you can choose Option B, which allows you to increase your coverage by equal to one, two, three, four, or five times your annual basic pay. With Option C, you can add other family members to your insurance plan.
Federal employees have the largest selection of healthcare plans covering you and your family. You can choose between a Consumer-Driven and High Deductible plans, Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans with our without Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) option, or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). You can enroll in a tax-deductible Flexible Spending Account or triple tax-advantaged Health Spending Account (HSA), available to High Deductible plans only. You are also eligible for Dental and Vision insurance.
OUR SERVICES
WEALTH
MANAGEMENT
Babylon Wealth Management is one of the top boutique financial advisors for Federal Employees in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our wealth management platform offers Federal workers, military families, and veterans a unique one-stop solution combining personalized financial planning, expert investment management, tax-smart asset management, estate planning, tax advisory, and risk management. We employ investment strategies geared towards your specific near term and long-term financial needs and circumstances.
FINANCIAL
PLANNING
Our comprehensive financial planning is an ideal solution for do-it-yourself Federal professionals who need some initial guidance. Our personalized advisory service brings a comprehensive view of your personal and financial life. We will help you build a roadmap to achieve your financial goals and personal milestones by developing a tailored financial plan. Through the course of our relationship, our financial planners and wealth advisors will provide you with a specific list of recommendations on how to achieve your priorities and objectives.
RETIREMENT
PLANNING
We will help you navigate through the complex and nuanced rules of your Federal retirement benefits. Our mission is to maximize your retirement savings and bring simplicity and confidence in your financial decisions. It is our fiduciary responsibility to watch for your best interest so you can enjoy what matters most to you and your family.
