Caine Crawford
President
(FRC) FEDERAL RETIREMENT CONSULTANT
Caine Crawford Sr. uses his more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to help Federal Employees throughout the United States with their Benefits and retirement needs. Caine is President and Lead Benefits Counselor for the Federal Employee Advocacy Group, based in Denver Colorado.
When Caine’s father sought to retire from CSRS, he came to Caine for help. It was then that Caine discovered a lack of financial resources readily available to federal employees, and he sought to become better informed to help others. Caine met with his first GSA client in 2008, and he was shocked to learn that client truly did not know what to do with a thrift savings plan (TSP) after retirement. Following that meeting, Caine founded Federal Employee Advocacy Group and became laser-focused on helping federal employees maximize income and benefits while minimizing expenses and taxes.
Caine teaches Federal Benefits and Retirement workshops for Federal Agencies, all across the Country. He understands federal benefits can appear somewhat complex and lack clarity. By creating a custom benefit analysis, Caine pinpoints the gaps in clients’ current plans, maps out TSP growth based on historical data and ensures clients have a lifetime of income and a dignified retirement.
Caine has now published his book, The Educated Fed: Your Guide to Understanding & Maximizing Federal Benefits. The Educated Fed is a self-help book for federal employees who want to learn how to maximize their federal benefits for retirement. Inside you’ll find answers you didn’t even know you had questions for…With the help of a retired Department of Defense employee, Caine will walk you through all of the moving parts that are your federal benefits and show you which ones you have control of, which ones will make you money, and which ones could cost you. Even though we’re in the information age, we’ve found out that an “informed” federal employee is not as well positioned as an “educated” federal employee. The Educated Fed aims to address the gap between information and real education that we observed in teaching hundreds of federal benefits workshops across the country for numerous agencies.
Caine graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in finance. He then lived in Colorado for 25 years before moving with his family back to South Carolina to live near a lake. He and his wife have four children and enjoy spending time together when they can among their busy schedules. Caine also enjoys coaching lacrosse at the local high school.
Stephen Crawford
FEDERAL RETIREMENT CONSULTANT / CSRS Retiree
Stephen Crawford joined FEAG in 2015 to address shortfalls with the retirement benefits process within the federal government. His priority is to inform federal employees, so they can enjoy a lifetime of income.
Stephen brings over 30 years of government experience, including positions with the Air Force Contract Management and the Defense Contract Management Agency. Additionally, he retired from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). He recently worked as a counselor with the nonprofit Colorado Procurement and Technical Assistance Center.
As a federal CSRS retiree, Stephen knows federal benefits (CSRS/FERS/TSP/spousal benefits) carry a lack of clarity. He has assisted many federal employees with their benefit analysis outlining gaps in the retirement plan, mapping out TSP growth based on historical data or providing a FEGLI versus commercial insurance comparison. Stephen knows from firsthand experience the significance of the survivor benefit option, Social Security timing options, Social Security offsets, or, as applicable, CSRS or FERS pension options. He also takes FEGLI retirement options and TSP options into account for the individual’s overall, personalized financial strategy.
Stephen lives in Castle Rock with his bride of nearly 50 years. He studied at Weber State University and Colorado Mesa University and is a graduate of the strategic marketing program from the University of Chicago’s graduate school.
Derek Snyder
Federal Retirement Consultant
As a benefits counselor at FEAG, Derek has extensively studied the various federal benefits packages to provide clients with a tailored analysis to address their specific retirement needs. By participating in federal retirement workshops and getting to know clients on an individual basis, Derek can help address many of the possible shortcomings in existing plans to ensure a secure retirement with lifetime income options.
Derek has a history of business success, having established several profitable companies in the communications arena. He studied at Mesa State University before becoming a business owner for more than 20 years, gaining invaluable experience managing finances and cash flow. After weathering the 2008 recession, Derek learned the importance of building a secure retirement strategy that could withstand market fluctuations and provide lifetime income. In 2011, he seized the chance to help others establish a solid retirement strategy by joining the western region of FEAG, based at the Denver Federal Center.
Joe Pender
FEDERAL RETIREMENT CONSULTANT
With over 25 years of dedicated service as a Retirement Advisor and Benefits Counselor, Joe Pender has been a guiding light for federal, state, and local employees, as well as private investors. His profound expertise has empowered countless individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future.
In addition to his role as a Retirement Advisor, Joe has taken on a leadership role as the Vice President of a Federal Employee Advocacy Group (FEAG) at myfeag.us. This position not only showcases his commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of government employees but also highlights his deep understanding of the intricacies of federal benefits and regulations.
Joe’s impact extends beyond his advisory work. As an accomplished author, he has shared his insights and wisdom through his writings, helping readers navigate the complex world of retirement planning and investment strategies. His passion for education and empowerment shines through in his engaging style, making the daunting seem achievable.
Tapping into the power of the airwaves, Joe Pender is also the host of the esteemed “Safe Money Radio Show.” Through this platform, he has reached even more individuals, offering them valuable advice on securing their financial well-being and making sound choices for a prosperous retirement.
Throughout his career, Joe has consistently demonstrated his dedication to providing solutions that truly matter.