Page 24 - The Informed Fed--Hearn Wealth Management
P. 24

Knowledge is power  inspired the writing of this book based upon our
                        many years in the financial services profession. Daily contact with clients

                        and prospective clients has brought us to many conclusions.
                            Lack of knowledge causes confusion. Confusion leads to frustration.
                        Frustration leads to anger, which ultimately can lead to giving up. We

                        have seen it over and over again, and the tragedy is that so much can be
                        accomplished  by  simply  gaining  the  knowledge  needed  through

                        systematic study and a little self-discipline along the way.
                            One  of  our  goals  is  to  dispel  misconceptions  and  incorrect
                        information. Once we accomplish that with a client, we can then start

                        the journey with less chance of frustration. How do you feel about your
                        knowledge of how your benefits work? Are there any misconceptions
                        that  you  are  struggling  with?  Here  are  some  examples  of  common

                        misconceptions. Test yourself on this True or False pop quiz:
                            1)  The TSP is matched 15% if you are in management. (True or
                                 False)

                            2)  If you want to cancel your FEGLI, you need to wait for an open
                                 enrollment. (True or False)

                            3)  Open enrollment for FEGLI is once a year. (True or False)
                            4)  If  both  you  and  your  spouse  are  covered  through  the
                                 government  health  insurance  and  your  spouse  dies,  the  HR

                                 department will automatically reduce your premiums to reflect a
                                 single individual. (True or False)

                            This is a small  sampling of misconceptions we hear from federal
                        employees. So how did you do on the pop quiz? The answers are:
                            1)  False

                            2)  False
                            3)  False
                            4)  False



                        employee benefit package is very unique and complex. Most financial
                                                                                             ly so. The




                                                                    23
   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29