Chasteen Secure Life

06/09/2026

Nobody warned me about this one either.

If you retire before 62 under FERS, your pension doesn't go up with inflation until you hit 62.

Prices go up. Your check doesn't.

I've talked to a lot of retirees who felt fine in year one and started feeling the squeeze by year three or four. Not a crisis. Just tighter than they expected.

The fix isn't complicated. It usually comes down to making sure you have something in place that fills that gap so you're not leaning harder on savings than you planned.

That's exactly the kind of thing I help people think through.

Free call, no pressure.

https://chasteensecurelife.com/consultation/

06/05/2026

Most federal employees spend decades believing their retirement benefits will naturally protect their family.

And honestly, most spouses believe that too.

But there’s one retirement decision that quietly affects:
• health insurance
• survivor income
• long-term financial stability

And many families don’t fully understand it until the paperwork has already been signed.

Not because anyone made a bad decision.

Usually because nobody ever explained how connected these benefits really are.

That’s why we wrote this week’s article.

To help federal families understand what questions to ask before retirement decisions become permanent.

No fear tactics.
No pressure.
Just clarity.

🔗 https://chasteensecurelife.com/what-happens-to-your-family-when-a-federal-employee-retires/

06/03/2026

A lot of spouses assume federal retirement benefits automatically protect the family.

Honestly… most people do.

After all, the benefits have been there for decades.

So it feels like everything will simply continue the same way into retirement.

But one thing many families don’t realize is this:

Some retirement elections directly affect whether a surviving spouse keeps:
• monthly income
• FEHB health insurance
• long-term financial stability

And once certain paperwork is signed, those decisions can become permanent.

Not because anyone made a bad choice.

Usually because nobody fully explained how connected everything was.

I wrote a new article breaking this down in plain English for federal families and spouses.

No fear tactics.
No pressure.

Just clarity around the questions worth asking before retirement gets closer.

Read it here:
https://chasteensecurelife.com/what-happens-to-your-family-when-a-federal-employee-retires/

05/19/2026

The older I get, the more I realize…

Life insurance is rarely about the person buying it.

It’s about the people who would be left figuring things out without you.

That changes the conversation completely.

Especially for couples approaching retirement.

Because peace of mind isn’t really about numbers.

It’s about knowing the person beside you would have time, stability, and breathing room if life changed unexpectedly.

05/15/2026

A lot of people reach their 50s and quietly start wondering:

“Do I still even need life insurance anymore?”

And honestly… that’s a fair question.

By this stage of life, things may look very different:
• kids are older
• retirement is getting closer
• debts may be smaller
• priorities have changed

But for some families, life insurance still plays an important role.

Especially when:
• a spouse depends on retirement income
• final expenses would create stress
• mortgage debt still exists
• survivor protection matters

The important thing is understanding whether your current coverage still fits your actual life today.

Not simply keeping it because it’s always been there.

I put together a new article to help walk through that decision clearly and honestly.

No pressure.
No one-size-fits-all answer.

Just a practical framework to help you think it through.

https://chasteensecurelife.com/do-you-still-need-life-insurance-in-your-50s-and-60s/

Your FEGLI coverage doesn't automatically continue the way you think. Here's exactly what changes at retirement and what to do before it does.

05/13/2026

A lot of federal employees assume life insurance becomes less important near retirement.

Sometimes the opposite is true.

Because retirement changes the financial picture for both spouses.

Income shifts.
TSP withdrawals may begin earlier.
And a surviving spouse often has less time to recover financially if something happens.

That’s why reviewing FEGLI and life insurance before retirement matters.

Not to create fear.

To make sure the protection still matches the life you’re living today.

Most people don’t need pressure.

They just need clarity before important decisions become urgent.

05/11/2026

A lot of federal employees are looking at VERA offers right now and thinking:

“Maybe this is my chance to finally step away.”

And honestly… I understand the appeal.

But before making a quick decision, it’s important to understand what early retirement actually changes long term.

Because VERA may allow you to retire earlier…

But it does NOT increase your pension formula.

That means:
• fewer years of service
• fewer high earning years
• and potentially a longer income gap before Social Security

All affect retirement income permanently.

I wrote a simple breakdown explaining:
• how VERA works
• what many employees overlook
• the SRS issue
• and why running the numbers matters before signing anything

The goal isn’t to scare anyone away from retirement.

It’s to make sure the decision feels informed and intentional.

If a VERA offer is on your radar, this article is worth reading:

https://chasteensecurelife.com/vera-2026-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-take-the-early-retirement-offer/

Considering a VERA offer in 2026? Learn how early retirement affects your pension, SRS eligibility, FEGLI, and long-term income.

05/07/2026

A lot of people assume their FEGLI will just continue the same way into retirement.

That’s where many surprises begin.

I talk with federal employees all the time who enrolled years ago and never really looked at their coverage again.

Not because they were careless.

Because it felt handled.

But retirement changes things.

Costs can change.
Coverage options matter more.
And decisions that felt small years ago suddenly feel important.

Especially with Option B.

That’s why waiting until retirement paperwork shows up can create a lot of unnecessary stress.

I put together a simple article explaining what actually happens to FEGLI at retirement and what federal employees should review before decisions become urgent.

If retirement is getting closer, it’s worth a read:

https://chasteensecurelife.com/fegli-in-retirement-what-most-people-miss/

Your FEGLI coverage doesn't automatically continue the way you think. Here's exactly what changes at retirement and what to do before it does.

05/06/2026

A lot of people don’t review their FEGLI until retirement gets close.

Not because they don’t care.

Because it’s easy to assume it’s already taken care of.

It’s been there for years.
The deductions happen automatically.
Nothing feels urgent.

So it stays untouched.

Then retirement gets closer… and suddenly the questions start showing up.

What happens to my coverage?
Why are costs changing?
Do I still need all these options?
What happens if I make the wrong decision?

That’s the biggest FEGLI mistake I see.

Not choosing the wrong option years ago.

Waiting too long to review it.

I wrote a simple breakdown explaining why this happens and how federal employees can avoid making rushed decisions later.

If you’re getting closer to retirement, it’s worth a read:

https://chasteensecurelife.com/the-fegli-mistake-that-surprises-many-federal-employees-near-retirement/

Many federal employees wait too long to review FEGLI before retirement. Learn the mistake that can lead to costly decisions later.