HEED THE WARNINGS Simple Steps to Enhance Personal Safety
Lack of Situational Awareness Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.” By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated more than 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk-driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. Alcohol Consumption At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol consumption. “Without a doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.”
The link between alcohol and traumatic injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. Late Nights Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety.
Not Wearing Seat Belts Another critical factor Hoeflinger
emphasizes is the importance of wearing seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents.
Your Road Map to Federal Retirement Success
THE POWER OF THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP)
When planning for retirement, federal employees have a structure that can provide a solid foundation for their financial future. If you work for the government, your retirement plan rests on three essential pillars: your pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). You need to have all three pillars for a stable and prosperous retirement, but if you want to maximize
maximize your return. We typically recommend allotting 10% of your salary to the TSP. For those just starting out, it might be challenging to contribute that much immediately, especially with the rising cost of living, but even contributing the minimum to secure the 5% match is a smart first step. You can wait until you receive a cost-of-living adjustment raise and put 1%–2% of that raise toward your TSP before it ever hits your paycheck. Over time, you can gradually increase your contributions until you reach that recommended contribution of 10%.
your benefits, the TSP may be a game-changer. Let’s explore the features of the TSP and how it can help you achieve your retirement dreams.
While you will automatically receive your pension and Social Security benefits once you meet the requirements (age and number of years working), the TSP is more like a 401(k). You get to decide how much money to contribute to this plan and have several methods to pay into it, like automatic payroll deductions.
Remember, anything you can do to boost your TSP contributions, whether it’s through raises or gradual increases,
will pay off in the long run. The TSP, alongside your pension and Social Security benefits, can potentially provide the financial stability you need in retirement. At Federal Benefits Made Simple, we’re here to guide you through the process. Contact us today if you’re ready to boost your TSP contributions and develop a financial strategy for your future.
Currently, your employer provides a 5% match to what you put in.
Every federal employee should participate in this 5% match from day one on the job to help
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