I work at UT. How do I coordinate my pension with my other savings?

University of Tennessee employees typically have a state pension and may also have an Optional Retirement Program (ORP) account. Coordinating these with Social Security, personal savings, and any spousal benefits requires modeling multiple income streams across different timelines. We build projections that show how all the pieces fit together.

I'm a TVA employee. Can you help with my federal benefits?

TVA employees have unique benefits including a pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and specific retirement options. We help TVA workers understand their pension election choices, optimize TSP allocation, and coordinate federal benefits with personal savings and Social Security.

When can I afford to retire from UT?

We build detailed retirement income projections that model your pension benefit, ORP balance, Social Security at various claiming ages, and personal investments. The goal is to give you a specific, data-backed answer — not a guess — so you can plan your transition with confidence.

Should I take a lump sum or annuity from my pension?

It depends on your full financial picture — your other income sources, tax situation, life expectancy considerations, and whether your spouse needs survivor benefits. We model both options to help you see the projected trade-offs before making an irreversible election.

Knoxville, TN

Retirement Planning in Knoxville

Retirement planning for Knoxville professionals — including UT employees navigating state pension decisions, TVA workers coordinating federal benefits, and Covenant Health physicians planning for early retirement.

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Retirement Planning for Knoxville Families

Knoxville is more than a college town — it's a growing metro with university employees navigating pension decisions, TVA workers coordinating federal benefits, and entrepreneurs building in one of Tennessee's most dynamic markets. David Talley, CFP®, EA, is a season ticket holder at Neyland Stadium and is in Knoxville most Saturdays in the fall. He knows this city, loves this city, and has built relationships with UT alumni and Knoxville professionals who want a financial advisor that feels like a neighbor — not a call center.

Our retirement planning services are built for families and professionals in Knox County who want proactive, coordinated guidance — not a once-a-year check-in.

What's Included

State pension analysis and election guidance for UT employees
Optional Retirement Program (ORP) coordination with personal investments
TVA pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) optimization
Social Security timing for university and government employees
Roth conversion strategies during career transitions
Healthcare bridge planning for early retirees before Medicare

Why Knoxville Chooses Talley Wealth

Fiduciary Standard

We're legally required to act in your best interest. No commissions, no product quotas, no conflicts of interest.

Serving Knox County

We know Knoxville's employers — University of Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) — and we understand the local economy.

CFP® + Enrolled Agent

Most advisors outsource tax. We do it in-house. Your financial plan and tax return are coordinated from day one.

Hypothetical Scenario

A UT Employee Approaching Retirement with Multiple Income Streams

The Situation

A University of Tennessee employee approaching retirement has a state pension, an Optional Retirement Program balance, a rental property generating passive income, and a spouse still working part-time. They need to coordinate pension election timing, Social Security claiming strategy, and Roth conversions across two different retirement timelines.

How We Might Approach This

We might start by modeling the pension election — comparing the lifetime value of different payout options. Then we'd coordinate the spouse's Social Security claiming strategy, identify a Roth conversion window during the lower-income years between retirement and age 72, and ensure the rental income is being managed tax-efficiently alongside the other retirement income streams.

This is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only. Individual results vary. Talley Wealth Management does not guarantee any specific outcomes.

Retirement Planning FAQ

Other Services in Knoxville

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Also Serving Nearby Communities

Sevierville, TN Morristown, TN Johnson City, TN

What Knoxville Clients Say

67 Five-Star Reviewson Google

"Very pleased with the relationship built with David and team at Talley Financial. David has provided timely advice, answered my multiple questions with patience and knowledge, and has provided a well structured retirement plan to meet my family's needs."

Mark S.

Tri-Cities, TN

"David and his staff have been great to work with. The process he walked through to get to know me was a comfort. Understanding who I am, where I've been and where I want to go requires more than just reviewing financial information and he worked to learn."

Morris B.

Tri-Cities, TN

Testimonials are from current clients and reflect their individual experiences. These testimonials are not indicative of future results and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of any particular outcome.

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Schedule a free 15-minute Explore Call. No preparation needed — just an honest conversation about your retirement planning needs.

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