Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Release Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with reflections on recent tax-focused episodes and a humorous “mea culpa” about financial jargon. The hosts then dive into a timely headline about federal employee health benefits, followed by a deep listener question on planning civilian income after military service. The show wraps up with a festive debate on the top Christmas movies.

Headlines

• FEHB Premium Spike Alert: Over 30,000 federal employees may face a >200% premium increase next year due to eight discontinued health plans. If affected, take action before open season ends December 8th to avoid auto-enrollment in a costly plan.

Listener Question: Planning Civilian Income After Military Service

Question from Traver: How can soon-to-be separating service members plan for civilian income that maintains or exceeds their current active duty military income, considering the loss of tax protections and entitlements?

Discussion Highlights:

• Military pay includes untaxed benefits (BAH, BAS) that boost net income.
• Civilian equivalents require higher gross pay to match military take-home.
• State taxes, cost of living, and VA disability can dramatically affect the calculation.
• Online calculators (like Charles Schwab’s) are a good starting point, but miss key variables.
• Track your expenses now to understand your true standard of living.
• Practice “retirement dry runs” to test your budget before separation.
• Use calculators, but sanity-check results and adjust for your unique situation.

Off Duty: Top 5 Christmas Movies (and Most Overrated)

Rob & Omen share their definitive Christmas movie rankings, including classics and new favorites, plus their picks for most overrated holiday film.

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Disclaimer: Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.