Straight answers, organized by topic

Yes. Your initial 30–45 minute consultation is completely free and carries no obligation. It's a working session where we learn about your situation and you learn how we can help. There's no cost or pressure to move forward.

No. Blue Skye Financial is an independent firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. federal government, OPM, or any federal agency. We specialize in helping federal employees understand their benefits — but we are not the government and we cannot access your records on your behalf.

No. We serve federal employees nationwide. Consultations are held by phone, video, or in person, so your location is not a barrier. Our practice covers every career stage and every region.

Absolutely. Federal retirement decisions affect your whole household. We frequently work with spouses, survivors, and adult children to help families understand survivor benefits, FEHB/PSHB continuation, and income protection.

If you have them, gather your most recent Retirement Annuity Estimate, your TSP statement, your most recent Social Security statement, and any FEHB/FEGLI enrollment information. Don't worry if you don't have everything — we can guide you through what to request from your agency.

After you share your benefits information, we provide a personalized analysis — typically a gap analysis report — that identifies where your current plan is strong and where it may have gaps, along with recommended next steps.

Blue Skye Financial is compensated through a combination of advisory fees and commissions on insurance products. We will always explain how we're paid before you make any decision, and there's never an obligation during your free consultation.

No. Your free consultation is a working session, not a sales pitch. We explain how we're paid before any decision, and there's never an obligation to purchase any product or service.

The personalized gap analysis is part of your free consultation process — there is no charge for the initial review. [VERIFY] any costs associated with ongoing advisory engagements before you commit.

Yes. We work with employees under both the FERS and CSRS retirement systems, including CSRS-Offset, and understand the unique rules — including WEP and GPO — that affect CSRS employees. [VERIFY] your specific system and service computation with your HR office.

Your FERS annuity is generally based on your high-3 average salary, your years of service, and a multiplier that depends on your age and service. [VERIFY] the current multiplier and your service computation against OPM guidance and your agency HR.

The FERS supplement is an additional payment designed to bridge the gap between your FERS retirement date and when you become eligible for Social Security, subject to an earnings test. [VERIFY] eligibility rules and the supplement amount with current OPM guidance.

FERS retirement eligibility depends on your age and years of service, with different rules for immediate retirement, MRA+10, and early retirement provisions. [VERIFY] your specific eligibility with your agency HR and current OPM rules.

At a minimum, many federal employees aim to capture the full agency match [VERIFY]. Beyond that, the right contribution depends on your goals, timeline, and tax situation — which we review in your consultation.

Both have trade-offs around when you pay taxes. The right choice depends on your current tax bracket, your expected retirement tax rate, and your overall plan. We help you weigh both in your personalized analysis.

The TSP Modernization Act expanded your withdrawal options, including flexible installment payments and partial withdrawals. [VERIFY] current TSP withdrawal rules and any Required Minimum Distribution timing with the TSP.

Whether to keep, suspend, or coordinate FEHB (or PSHB) with Medicare depends on your plan, costs, and coverage needs. We help you weigh over-insurance against gaps. [VERIFY] current FEHB/PSHB and Medicare coordination rules.

The Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program is a separate health insurance exchange for USPS employees and annuitants, with its own Medicare-integration rules. [VERIFY] current PSHB enrollment and Medicare requirements with OPM.

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an income-based surcharge on Medicare Part B premiums. Whether it applies depends on your modified adjusted gross income from two years prior. [VERIFY] current IRMAA thresholds with Medicare and Social Security guidance.

FEGLI premiums and coverage can change after retirement, and coverage that fit early in your career may no longer make sense. We review your elections and compare options. [VERIFY] current FEGLI post-retirement premium schedules.

It depends on your age, health, and coverage amount. In some cases private term insurance offers better value; in others FEGLI is the right choice. We compare both in your review rather than assuming one is always better. [VERIFY] current rates for your situation.

Claiming earlier means smaller monthly payments for life; claiming later means larger payments. The best timing depends on your life expectancy, your spouse, and your other income. We model scenarios in your consultation. [VERIFY] current Social Security rules.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) can reduce Social Security benefits for people with non-covered pensions, which often affects CSRS employees. [VERIFY] how WEP and GPO apply to your record with Social Security.

Spousal and survivor benefits may be available depending on your earnings record and claiming strategy. Coordinating these with your federal pension is a key planning step. [VERIFY] current spousal and survivor benefit rules with Social Security.

The FERS/CSRS survivor benefit election provides a continuing annuity to your spouse after your death, and it's generally an irreversible decision made at retirement. We help you weigh it against alternatives like private life insurance. [VERIFY] current survivor benefit rules and costs.

A surviving spouse may be able to continue FEHB/PSHB coverage under certain conditions, often tied to the survivor annuity election. This is a key reason the survivor election matters. [VERIFY] current FEHB/PSHB survivor continuation rules with OPM.