Mid-Career Financial Moves Firefighters Can’t Afford to Miss
By the time you’re a decade or two into the job, you’ve seen some things. You’ve watched guys blow through overtime cash on shiny trucks and bass boats, and others quietly build nest eggs. If you’re in that 10–20-year sweet spot of your career, now’s the time to get serious about your retirement planning. Why […]
Safe Growth and Lifetime Income: The Power of Indexed Annuities for City of Elizabeth Workers
In the first part of this series, we dug into the nuts and bolts of the new 457(b) plan for Elizabeth city workers—what it is, how it stacks up against other retirement accounts like 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and why it’s such a valuable tool for building your financial future. Toward the end of that article, […]
Meet Your New Retirement Sidekick: The 457(b) Plan for City of Elizabeth Workers
Once upon a time, in 1889, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck1 had a brilliant idea: pay older workers to retire at age 70 and free up jobs for younger folks. Considering the average person back then barely lived to 42, it was a clever plan – very few would actually cash in! Fast forward to today: […]
Second-Job Income: Smart Strategies for Firefighters with Side Hustles
Back in 1736, Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire department in Philadelphia – and on top of running a print shop, publishing newspapers, and dabbling in electricity, the guy still found time to save buildings from burning down. Ol’ Ben knew the value of a side gig and a long-term plan. Fast forward a […]
Why Firefighters Need to Plan for the ‘Retirement Gap’
Retiring early sounds great – more time for family, travel, or a second career. In fact, the average firefighter retires around age 52. But leaving the job in your early 50s means you likely have a long stretch before other income sources kick in. You can’t access most 401(k) or IRA savings until age 59½ […]
Tax Season Prep: Firefighter Tax Hacks
It’s a familiar scene every spring: the firehouse banter shifts from last night’s 3-alarm blaze to that other annual ordeal – tax season. Tax season just hits different when you’re pulling 24-hour shifts and juggling overtime. Between FLSA calculations, specialty pay, and pension contributions, your tax situation isn’t exactly straightforward. But fear not, because just […]
Firefighter Financial Spring Cleaning – Easy Steps to a Stronger Future
Just like you clean your gear after a call, your finances need regular maintenance, too. When was the last time you gave your money situation a thorough scrubdown? Financial spring cleaning isn’t complicated. It’s about checking what you’ve got, tossing what you don’t need, and making sure everything’s working right. A few hours of financial […]
Group Life Insurance Versus Individual Policies for Firefighters
Firefighting is a high-risk profession, and securing the right life insurance is critical for protecting your family’s future. Firefighters often have access to group life insurance through their departments, unions, or state programs. But is that coverage enough? How does it compare to an individual life insurance policy you purchase on your own? This article […]
Repeal of WEP/GPO: What Firefighters Need to Know
It’s a late evening at the firehouse in 2024. After decades of service, this is it, your career is finally over, and this is your last day on the job. Over coffee in the station kitchen, you joke about finally taking that fishing trip and cashing those Social Security checks you earned from your side […]
Firefighter Heart Health: Facing the Hidden Threat and Protecting Your Future
Introduction: A Life-Saving Mission Beyond the Flames In honor of American Heart Month, let’s talk about a threat every firefighter needs to face head-on. You protect others daily, but there’s a danger that won’t show up on your radio – heart disease. Here’s the reality: when that tone drops, your heart rate spikes. Factor in […]