Protecting Your Firehouse Family PART 1: Survivor Benefits for Early Deaths
It’s 3:00 a.m. when the tones drop. Captain John Williams jolts awake, throws on his…
The Firefighter “Gap Years”: Using Ages 50–62 for Tax‑Smart Roth Conversions
Retiring from the fire service often means hanging up your gear in your early fifties,…
Your Firefighter Retirement Income Playbook: How Guardrails, Cash Buckets, and QLACs Work Together
Nearly 2 in 3 Americans say running out of money in retirement scares them more…
Retirement Spending Guardrails: How Firefighters Can Keep Income Steady When Markets Bounce Around
Roughly two out of three workers say they are worried about running out of money…
CDs: Building the Cash Bucket for Firefighter Retirees
Captain Joe sits in the Station 7 break room with his retirement papers spread on…
QLACs 101 For Pension Households: Turning Part of Your 457(b) Into Longevity Income
How long do you expect to live? As a firefighter, the worries of an early…
The Firehouse 457(b) Challenge
October is chock full of important observances. Fire Prevention Week. Cybersecurity Awareness Month. And fittingly,…
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Lock Down Your Pension, 457(b), and Benefits Portals
Running into burning buildings isn’t the only risk firefighters face. In 2024 alone, Americans lost…
Fire Prevention Week for Your Finances
You spend Fire Prevention Week teaching others how to stay safe. In that same spirit,…
Smart DROP Timing: When to Enter and How Long to Stay
Let’s talk about Deferred Retirement Option Plans (DROPs) and timing, a topic as critical to…
Keeping Pace with Inflation: How Firefighters Can Protect Their Retirement Paychecks
9.1% – That’s how high U.S. inflation soared at one point in 2022, the steepest…
Buying Back Your Time: When Purchasing Service Credit Pays Off for Firefighters
How much would you pay to retire a few years earlier? Firefighters in many departments…
Retirement Planning for Volunteer Firefighters
Nearly 70% of U.S. firefighters are volunteers, showing up for their neighbors for little or…
Roth-Only Catch-Ups Deferred: Roth Contributions for 60–63 Year Olds Now Start in 2026
Only about 15% of workers eligible for catch-up contributions actually take advantage of them, even…
Big Beautiful Bill: How Firefighters’ Retirements are Affected
By now, you’ve probably heard the buzz around the Big Beautiful Bill. It’s a massive…