Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger Am I on Track for a 2028 Retirement?
12 snips
Feb 19, 2026 Allison, a federal employee weighing a voluntary early retirement, calls in with clear numbers and goals. She discusses pension timing, Social Security choices, tax-aware withdrawal sequencing, and housing plans. The conversation covers using inherited IRA funds, TSP/Roth allocation, travel priorities, and whether a buyout now makes sense for her timeline.
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Retirement Timing And Pension Estimates
- Allison is 57 and plans to retire by 60 if she doesn't take an early buyout, targeting $7,000 monthly spending.
- The federal pension estimate is about $3,000 a month at full eligibility and slightly less if she leaves earlier.
Keep Maxing TSP And Use Roth Allocations
- Keep maxing retirement plan contributions, including catch-up contributions, to grow protected pension complements.
- Maintain a Roth split to preserve tax-free buckets for later withdrawals.
Keep Liquid Sinking Funds For Short-Term Needs
- Maintain cash for near-term goals: Allison keeps an emergency fund plus sinking funds for vacations, car, and home projects.
- Preserve liquidity to avoid selling investments at the wrong time during retirement transition.