Malissa McNanna, Independent Financial Coach

07/17/2026

📊 Understanding Your "High-3" Average Salary
One of the biggest factors that determines your FERS or CSRS pension is your High-3 Average Salary—and many federal employees are surprised by how it's calculated.
Your High-3 is the highest average basic pay you earned during any consecutive 36 months of federal service. It isn't necessarily your last three years of employment.
Your High-3 generally includes:
✅ Basic pay
✅ Locality pay
✅ Shift differentials (when creditable as basic pay)
It generally does not include:
❌ Overtime pay
❌ Bonuses or awards
❌ Travel per diem
❌ Most other premium pay
Because your High-3 directly impacts your lifetime pension, understanding how it's calculated can help you make more informed retirement decisions.
📞 Before you retire, make sure you know how your High-3 affects your retirement income. A little planning today can make a lasting difference tomorrow. Send me a message or give me a call and we can discuss your options.

07/15/2026

🛡️ Your Retirement Savings Deserve Protection
You've spent years building your retirement savings. As retirement gets closer, protecting what you've earned can be just as important as growing it.
Principal protection is a strategy designed to help preserve your original investment from market losses while providing greater peace of mind during uncertain economic times.
Why do many retirees consider principal protection?
✔️ Helps protect your hard-earned savings from market downturns
✔️ Can provide greater confidence during periods of volatility
✔️ Supports a more stable retirement income strategy
✔️ Allows you to focus on enjoying retirement instead of worrying about the market
Everyone's retirement goals are different, and the right strategy depends on your individual needs, timeline, and risk tolerance.
📞 Want to learn how principal protection could fit into your retirement plan? Let's discuss your options and build a strategy designed to help protect your financial future.

07/13/2026

💰 Could You Receive the FERS Special Retirement Supplement (SRS)?
If you're a federal employee covered under FERS, you may be eligible to receive the Special Retirement Supplement (SRS) before you become eligible for Social Security.
You may qualify if you:
✔️ Retire on an immediate, unreduced FERS retirement
✔️ Meet your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with the required years of service
✔️ Retire at age 60 with at least 20 years of creditable service
✔️ Retire at age 62 or later with at least 5 years of service (although SRS generally ends at age 62 when Social Security eligibility begins)
The SRS is designed to help bridge the income gap between retirement and age 62, but not every FERS retiree qualifies. Factors such as your retirement type, age, years of service, and post-retirement earnings can affect your eligibility and benefit amount.
📞 Understanding your retirement benefits before you file can help you avoid costly surprises. If you're planning for retirement, let's review your options together. Give me a call at 501-655-6279

07/10/2026

📉 Worried About Market Volatility?
When you're approaching retirement, protecting what you've worked so hard to build becomes just as important as growing it.
Market downturns can have a significant impact on retirement savings, especially when you're close to needing that money. That's why many retirees and pre-retirees look for strategies that can help reduce market exposure while still supporting their long-term income goals.
✔️ Protection from market losses
✔️ More predictable retirement income
✔️ Greater confidence during uncertain economic times
✔️ A retirement strategy designed around your goals
The right retirement plan isn't just about chasing returns—it's about creating a balance between growth, protection, and income.
If you're concerned about how market fluctuations could affect your retirement, now is a great time to review your options and make sure your plan is aligned with your future goals. Send me a message or give me a call at 501-655-6279

07/08/2026

💼 Don’t Overlook Your Unused Sick Leave at Retirement
Many federal employees are surprised to learn that unused sick leave can increase their retirement benefit.
Here's how it works:
✅ Unused sick leave is converted into additional creditable service when your FERS or CSRS pension is calculated.
✅ While it cannot be used to qualify you for retirement eligibility, it can increase the amount of your monthly annuity if you are already eligible to retire.
The result? Years of saving your sick leave could translate into a larger retirement check for the rest of your life.
Before making retirement decisions, make sure you understand how your sick leave, annual leave, and service credit all work together. A well-planned retirement strategy can help you maximize the benefits you've earned.
📞 Have questions about your federal retirement benefits? I'm here to help you understand your options and retire with confidence. Give me a call at 501-655-6279

07/06/2026

Imagine reaching retirement and knowing that a portion of your income will continue to arrive every month—regardless of what the stock market is doing.
That's the value many retirees find in guaranteed lifetime income.
Instead of relying solely on investment withdrawals, guaranteed income strategies can help create a dependable paycheck throughout retirement, helping cover essential expenses such as:
🏡 Housing costs
🩺 Healthcare expenses
🛒 Everyday living expenses
✈️ Travel and retirement goals
Why does this matter?
When retirement income is predictable, many retirees feel more confident spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, and enjoying the retirement they've worked hard to achieve.
Think of it this way:
Savings build retirement.
Income sustains retirement.
The question isn't just "How much have I saved?"
It's also "How long can my income last?"
A retirement plan that includes guaranteed income may help provide greater confidence, stability, and peace of mind for the years ahead.
📞 Contact me Malissa Mcnanna today to learn how guaranteed lifetime income strategies may fit into your overall retirement plan and help create a retirement paycheck you can count on. 🌟My phone number is (501)-655-6279

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

Life insurance is one of those benefits many federal employees enroll in early in their careers and rarely revisit. But as life changes, it's important to make sure your coverage still fits your needs.
FEGLI (Federal Employees Group Life Insurance) can provide financial protection for your loved ones in the event of your passing. Whether you're still working or approaching retirement, understanding your options can help you make informed decisions about your coverage.
Things to consider:
✔️ Do you know how much FEGLI coverage you currently have?
✔️ Have your family or financial responsibilities changed?
✔️ Do you understand what happens to your coverage at retirement?
✔️ Have you reviewed the cost of coverage as you age?
✔️ Does your current coverage align with your long-term goals?
Many federal employees are surprised to learn that FEGLI costs can increase over time and that retirement decisions can affect future coverage and premiums.
Taking a few minutes to review your benefits today could help you avoid costly surprises tomorrow.
Your federal benefits are valuable—make sure you understand how they work before retirement.
📞 Contact me Malissa Mcnanna for a personalized review of your federal benefits and learn how FEGLI fits into your overall retirement plan at (501)-655-6279

07/01/2026

Many federal employees focus on building their TSP balance but overlook one important retirement planning strategy: a Roth conversion.
A Roth conversion allows you to move money from a traditional retirement account into a Roth account. While taxes are paid on the converted amount today, qualified future withdrawals can be tax-free.
Why do some retirees consider Roth conversions?
✔️ Potentially reduce future taxable income
✔️ Create tax-free income in retirement
✔️ Help manage future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
✔️ Provide greater flexibility in retirement income planning
✔️ Leave tax-advantaged assets to beneficiaries
The key is timing. A Roth conversion may be most beneficial during years when your taxable income is lower, but every situation is different.
Before making any decisions, it's important to understand how a conversion could impact your current tax bracket, Medicare premiums, and overall retirement strategy.
Retirement planning isn't just about how much you save—it's also about how much you keep after taxes.
📞 Contact Malissa Mcnanna today to learn whether a Roth conversion could fit into your long-term retirement plan and help you build a more tax-efficient retirement. strategy at (501)-655-6279

06/29/2026

You've worked hard for decades to build your retirement savings. As retirement gets closer, protecting what you've earned becomes just as important as growing it.
Market downturns can happen without warning, and a significant loss at the wrong time can have a lasting impact on your retirement income. That's why many retirees and pre-retirees are looking for strategies that help reduce risk while maintaining financial stability.
A well-balanced retirement plan should consider:
✔️ Protecting a portion of your savings from market volatility
✔️ Creating reliable income that can last throughout retirement
✔️ Preserving principal whenever possible
✔️ Maintaining confidence during market ups and downs
✔️ Ensuring your retirement strategy aligns with your goals
The goal isn't to avoid growth—it's to make sure your retirement isn't entirely dependent on the market's next move.
Retirement should be about enjoying the life you've worked for, not worrying about daily market fluctuations.
A strong retirement plan doesn't just focus on accumulation—it focuses on protection, income, and peace of mind.
📞 Contact Malissa McNanna today to learn how different retirement strategies may help protect your hard-earned savings and support your long-term retirement goals (501)-655-6279