# Pre-Retirement Planning for Law Enforcement and Firefighters Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/pre-retirement-planning-for-law-enforcement-and-firefighters-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Walk away with the information you need to make fully informed decisions about retirement. You'll gain valuable retirement planning knowledge related to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and learn how your health and life insurance benefits carry over into retirement. Along the way, you'll explore Social Security, Medicare, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawal options, and pick up an overview of financial and estate planning.

## What you'll learn

- Determine when you are eligible to retire and explain the major steps involved in the retirement application process.
- Understand how your annuity will be computed and what benefits will be payable to your survivors.
- Determine whether you will be entitled to Social Security benefits, including Medicare, and how your Social Security benefit may be affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.
- Identify your federal health and life insurance benefits after retirement.
- Identify TSP withdrawal options.
- Identify your retirement income needs and develop appropriate financial plans for your retirement.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Introduction to Federal Retirement Benefits

- Gain an overview of the federal retirement systems, including FERS and CSRS.
- Understand eligibility requirements for retirement benefits.
- Learn how service history impacts retirement calculations.

#### Module 2: Creditable Service

- Identify what types of service count toward retirement eligibility.
- Understand the rules for military service credit and redeposits.
- Explore procedures for verifying and documenting service history.

#### Module 3: Retirement Annuity Computations

- Learn how annuities are calculated under FERS and CSRS.
- Understand the factors that increase or reduce your annuity.
- Apply formulas to calculate estimated retirement income.

#### Module 4: Survivor Benefits

- Understand the types of survivor benefits available to spouses and dependents.
- Learn the cost and impact of electing survivor annuities.
- Review the process for designating beneficiaries.

#### Module 5: The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

- Review TSP contribution rules and investment options.
- Understand the impact of withdrawals on long-term retirement security.
- Learn about required minimum distributions and withdrawal strategies.

#### Module 6: Federal Insurance Benefits in Retirement

- Review continuation of FEHB and FEGLI into retirement.
- Understand eligibility rules for carrying insurance coverage.
- Explore options for adjusting or changing coverage after retirement.

#### Module 7: Retirement Application Process

- Learn the step-by-step process for submitting a retirement application.
- Understand timelines, forms, and documentation requirements.
- Prepare for a smooth transition from employment to retirement benefits.

#### Module 8: Post-Retirement Considerations

- Understand rules regarding reemployment in the federal government.
- Learn about post-retirement income and tax considerations.
- Review cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and other ongoing benefit changes.

## Instructors

### Johnny Bynum Jr. — Instructor

Johnny Bynum most recently served as Director of Workforce Relations Division (WRD), a new division he was assigned to within the Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of Human (OHR), Human Capital Directorate (HCD) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Johnny stood up the Workforce Relations Division and became the fearless owner and leader of six program areas. (Retirement and Benefits, Special Leave Programs, Workplace Flexibilities Program, Performance Management and Awards, Workers Compensation and he also developed and stood up the DHHS Work life Branch).

He also served as the HQ Benefits Officer for approximately 90k employees across the enterprise. During his time in DHHS leadership, he worked with HHS and its 11 Operating Divisions to develop policies and processes for employees navigating programs that were considered life cycle events. He also acted as the agency’s primary educator of the Federal Benefits Programs, Benefits Officer.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $899