Tell the AI about your situation — years to retirement, primary concern, preferred advisor type. It'll tell you exactly what kind of advisor fits and connect you with vetted specialists.
✅ Advisor Match Ready
Based on your situation, here's the right advisor type for you — and how to connect with one.
Federal retirement is specialized. Here's how each advisor type stacks up for federal employees.
The only financial credential focused exclusively on federal employee benefits. Covers FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, survivor annuity elections, and OPM procedures. Deep expertise in the nuances most general advisors miss.
Paid only by you — no commissions on products. Full fiduciary. Broader retirement planning expertise (tax, estate, investments) alongside federal benefits. Best if you need comprehensive planning beyond federal benefits alone.
Charges planning fees but also earns commissions on product recommendations (annuities, life insurance). Fiduciary for planning advice, but conflicts of interest can arise on product recommendations. Common with many independent advisors.
Earns commissions on products sold — annuities, life insurance, investments. May specialize in federal employees. Lower or zero upfront cost, but compensation structure can create conflicts. Suitable for specific product purchases with full awareness of compensation.
| Criteria | ChFEBC | Fee-Only CFP | Fee-Based Hybrid | Commission-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal benefits expertise | ✓ Deep (specialty) | Varies by advisor | Varies by advisor | Varies by advisor |
| Always a fiduciary | Varies | ✓ Yes | Partial | ✗ No |
| No commissions on products | Not always | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| FERS/CSRS pension math | ✓ Deep expertise | If specialized | If specialized | If specialized |
| TSP allocation strategy | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Limited |
| FEHB analysis | ✓ Deep | Basic | Basic | ✗ Usually not |
| Survivor benefit election | ✓ Speciality | If specialized | If specialized | ✗ Usually not |
| Tax + estate planning | Varies | ✓ Full scope | ✓ Full scope | ✗ Out of scope |
| Upfront cost | $1,500–$4,000 | $200–$500/hr | $1,000–$3,000 | $0 upfront |
Connect with a Vetted Specialist
Tell us your situation and we'll match you with a federal retirement specialist — ChFEBC, fee-only CFP, or hybrid — who has worked with federal employees like you. Free matching, no obligation.
We'll match you with a vetted federal retirement specialist within 1 business day. Check your email for confirmation.
Vet your advisor before paying — these questions separate specialists from generalists.
About Their Practice
- ✦ Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time?
- ✦ How do you earn your compensation?
- ✦ Do you hold a ChFEBC or similar federal credential?
- ✦ How many federal retirement plans have you prepared this year?
About Federal Expertise
- ✦ Can you explain the FERS survivor annuity trade-off?
- ✦ How do you approach FEHB vs Medicare Part B?
- ✦ Do you help with TSP allocation and withdrawal strategy?
- ✦ Have you worked with employees from my agency?
SEEK EXPERT ADVICE. The advisor comparison information on this page is for educational purposes only. Advisor credentials, fees, and fiduciary status can change. Always verify credentials independently through FINRA BrokerCheck, the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database, and the CFP Board. RetireStack does not endorse any specific financial advisor and is not responsible for advisor performance or advice quality. Consulting a qualified financial advisor before making federal retirement decisions — including survivor election, TSP withdrawal, and FEHB continuation — is strongly recommended.