c
/* HEADER */
.header {
background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--navy) 0%, var(--navy-light) 100%);
padding: 48px 24px 40px;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.header::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
inset: 0;
background: repeating-linear-gradient(
45deg,
transparent,
transparent 40px,
rgba(201,168,76,0.03) 40px,
rgba(201,168,76,0.03) 80px
);
}
.header-badge {
display: inline-block;
background: rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
border: 1px solid var(--gold);
color: var(--gold-light);
font-size: 11px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 2.5px;
text-transform: uppercase;
padding: 6px 18px;
border-radius: 2px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.header h1 {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
color: var(--white);
font-size: clamp(28px, 5vw, 44px);
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 1.15;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.header h1 span { color: var(--gold-light); }
.header-sub {
color: rgba(255,255,255,0.65);
font-size: 15px;
font-weight: 300;
max-width: 520px;
margin: 0 auto 24px;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.header-meta {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
gap: 28px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.meta-item {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 7px;
color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55);
font-size: 12px;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}
.meta-dot { width: 5px; height: 5px; background: var(--gold); border-radius: 50%; }
/* INTRO SECTION */
.intro {
background: var(--white);
border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e2d4;
padding: 36px 24px;
}
.intro-inner {
max-width: 720px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
.intro-label {
font-size: 10px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 2.5px;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--gold);
margin-bottom: 14px;
}
.intro h2 {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
font-size: 22px;
color: var(--navy);
margin-bottom: 14px;
}
.intro p {
font-size: 15px;
line-height: 1.75;
color: #444;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
/* BUCKET VISUAL */
.bucket-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(150px, 1fr));
gap: 12px;
margin: 24px 0;
}
.bucket-card {
background: var(--navy);
border-radius: 6px;
padding: 16px 14px;
text-align: center;
position: relative;
overflow: hidden;
}
.bucket-card::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
height: 3px;
}
.bucket-card.b1::after { background: #4caf8a; }
.bucket-card.b2::after { background: #4c8aaf; }
.bucket-card.b3::after { background: var(--gold); }
.bucket-card.b4::after { background: #af4c6a; }
.bucket-num {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
font-size: 28px;
font-weight: 700;
color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
line-height: 1;
margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.bucket-name {
font-size: 11px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 1.5px;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--gold-light);
margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.bucket-desc {
font-size: 12px;
color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6);
line-height: 1.4;
}
.bucket-return {
margin-top: 8px;
font-size: 13px;
font-weight: 600;
color: var(--white);
}
/* PROGRESS */
.progress-wrap {
max-width: 720px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px 24px 0;
}
.progress-header {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.progress-label { font-size: 12px; color: var(--muted); font-weight: 500; }
.progress-count { font-size: 12px; color: var(--gold); font-weight: 600; }
.progress-bar-bg {
height: 4px;
background: #e0d9cc;
border-radius: 2px;
overflow: hidden;
}
.progress-bar-fill {
height: 100%;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--gold), var(--gold-light));
border-radius: 2px;
transition: width 0.4s ease;
}
/* SURVEY BODY */
.survey-wrap {
max-width: 720px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 0 24px 60px;
}
/* QUESTION CARD */
.q-card {
background: var(--white);
border: 1px solid #e8e2d4;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 30px 28px;
margin-top: 20px;
display: none;
animation: fadeSlide 0.35s ease;
}
.q-card.active { display: block; }
@keyframes fadeSlide {
from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(12px); }
to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}
.q-section {
font-size: 10px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 2px;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--gold);
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.q-number {
font-size: 11px;
color: var(--muted);
margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.q-text {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
font-size: 19px;
color: var(--navy);
line-height: 1.4;
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.q-context {
font-size: 13px;
color: var(--muted);
line-height: 1.6;
margin-bottom: 22px;
padding: 12px 16px;
background: var(--cream);
border-left: 3px solid var(--gold);
border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
}
/* OPTIONS */
.options { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; }
.opt {
display: flex;
align-items: flex-start;
gap: 14px;
padding: 14px 16px;
border: 1.5px solid #e0d9cc;
border-radius: 6px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: all 0.2s ease;
background: var(--white);
user-select: none;
}
.opt:hover {
border-color: var(--gold);
background: #fffdf5;
}
.opt.selected {
border-color: var(--gold);
background: #fffbee;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(201,168,76,0.12);
}
.opt-bullet {
width: 20px;
height: 20px;
min-width: 20px;
border-radius: 50%;
border: 2px solid #ccc;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
margin-top: 1px;
transition: all 0.2s;
}
.opt.selected .opt-bullet {
border-color: var(--gold);
background: var(--gold);
}
.opt-check {
width: 8px;
height: 8px;
border-radius: 50%;
background: var(--white);
opacity: 0;
transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
.opt.selected .opt-check { opacity: 1; }
.opt-text { font-size: 14px; color: var(--text); line-height: 1.5; }
.opt-label { font-weight: 600; color: var(--navy); }
/* NAV BUTTONS */
.nav-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
margin-top: 24px;
gap: 12px;
}
.btn-back {
background: none;
border: 1.5px solid #ccc;
color: var(--muted);
padding: 11px 22px;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 14px;
font-family: 'Source Sans 3', sans-serif;
cursor: pointer;
transition: all 0.2s;
}
.btn-back:hover { border-color: var(--slate); color: var(--slate); }
.btn-next {
background: var(--navy);
color: var(--white);
border: none;
padding: 12px 28px;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 600;
font-family: 'Source Sans 3', sans-serif;
cursor: pointer;
transition: all 0.2s;
letter-spacing: 0.3px;
}
.btn-next:hover { background: var(--navy-light); }
.btn-next:disabled { opacity: 0.35; cursor: not-allowed; }
.btn-submit {
background: var(--gold);
color: var(--navy);
}
.btn-submit:hover { background: var(--gold-light); }
/* RESULTS */
#results { display: none; }
.results-header {
background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--navy) 0%, var(--navy-light) 100%);
padding: 48px 24px;
text-align: center;
}
.score-ring {
width: 130px;
height: 130px;
border-radius: 50%;
border: 5px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.3);
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
margin: 0 auto 20px;
position: relative;
background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05);
}
.score-ring::before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
inset: -5px;
border-radius: 50%;
border: 5px solid transparent;
border-top-color: var(--gold);
border-right-color: var(--gold);
}
.score-num {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
font-size: 42px;
font-weight: 700;
color: var(--white);
line-height: 1;
}
.score-max { font-size: 13px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); }
.results-title {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
color: var(--white);
font-size: 26px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.results-badge {
display: inline-block;
background: rgba(201,168,76,0.2);
border: 1px solid var(--gold);
color: var(--gold-light);
font-size: 12px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 2px;
text-transform: uppercase;
padding: 5px 16px;
border-radius: 2px;
margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.results-subtitle {
color: rgba(255,255,255,0.65);
font-size: 15px;
max-width: 480px;
margin: 0 auto;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.results-body {
max-width: 720px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 32px 24px 60px;
}
.result-section {
background: var(--white);
border: 1px solid #e8e2d4;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 24px;
margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.rs-label {
font-size: 10px;
font-weight: 600;
letter-spacing: 2px;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: var(--gold);
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.rs-title {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
font-size: 18px;
color: var(--navy);
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.rs-text {
font-size: 14px;
line-height: 1.75;
color: #4a4a5a;
}
.tier-bars { margin: 20px 0; }
.tier-row {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 12px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.tier-name { font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: var(--navy); width: 100px; min-width: 100px; }
.tier-bar-bg { flex: 1; height: 8px; background: #eee; border-radius: 4px; overflow: hidden; }
.tier-bar-fill { height: 100%; border-radius: 4px; transition: width 1s ease; }
.tier-range { font-size: 12px; color: var(--muted); width: 60px; text-align: right; }
.disclaimer {
background: #f0ece3;
border: 1px solid #ddd5c0;
border-radius: 6px;
padding: 16px 18px;
margin-top: 24px;
}
.disclaimer p {
font-size: 12px;
color: var(--muted);
line-height: 1.6;
}
.disclaimer strong { color: var(--slate); }
.restart-btn {
display: block;
margin: 24px auto 0;
background: none;
border: 1.5px solid var(--navy);
color: var(--navy);
padding: 11px 28px;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 600;
font-family: 'Source Sans 3', sans-serif;
cursor: pointer;
transition: all 0.2s;
}
.restart-btn:hover { background: var(--navy); color: var(--white); }
.firm-footer {
text-align: center;
padding: 20px;
border-top: 1px solid #e0d9cc;
font-size: 12px;
color: var(--muted);
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}
.firm-name { color: var(--navy); font-weight: 600; }
@media (max-width: 520px) {
.header { padding: 36px 16px 30px; }
.q-card { padding: 22px 18px; }
.q-text { font-size: 17px; }
.bucket-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
}
The Federal Fortress Plan™
Global View Capital Advisors · RIA
The Federal Fortress Plan™
Retirement Readiness Survey
Designed exclusively for federal career professionals and retirees. Discover how a structured, bucket-based retirement strategy may align with your goals.
About This Framework
What Is the Federal Fortress Plan™?
Most federal employees retire with three powerful income sources: your FERS annuity, Social Security, and your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The challenge is not accumulating assets — it's structuring them so they last a lifetime, regardless of market conditions.
The Federal Fortress Plan™ uses a time-tested "bucket" approach — dividing your assets into distinct segments based on when you'll need them. This eliminates the need to sell growth investments during a market downturn. Each bucket serves a specific purpose:
1
Safety
Cash, HYSA, FERS Supplement
Years 1–3
Years 1–3
3%–5% target
2
Stability
Treasuries, G-Fund, Fixed Annuities
Years 3–6
Years 3–6
6%–8% target
3
Growth
TSP C/S/I, Fixed Index Annuities
Years 6–10
Years 6–10
Low double digits
4
Legacy
Fidelity, Vanguard Balanced Funds
10+ Years
10+ Years
Long-term growth
Buckets 1 and 2 carry no stock market risk. Growth buckets use tactical models with built-in sell disciplines — algorithm-driven signals that exit the market before major declines, so your retirement is never fully exposed to a prolonged downturn.
This survey will help you assess how well this structured approach fits your retirement picture — and identify any gaps worth addressing.
Survey Progress
Question 1 of 12
Section 1 · Your Federal Income Foundation
Question 1 of 12
Which of the following best describes your current relationship with federal employment?
Section 1 · Your Federal Income Foundation
Question 2 of 12
Which federal retirement system are you covered under?
Section 1 · Your Federal Income Foundation
Question 3 of 12
When you add together your expected FERS annuity and Social Security, roughly what percentage of your projected monthly retirement expenses will those two sources cover?
💡 For many federal employees, FERS + Social Security covers 40–70% of pre-retirement income. The gap is what your TSP and other savings must bridge.
Section 2 · Income Security & Guaranteed Income
Question 4 of 12
Beyond your FERS annuity and Social Security, how important is it to you to have additional guaranteed lifetime income from your TSP or other savings?
💡 Fixed index annuities with lifetime income riders allow TSP assets to generate a guaranteed monthly income stream starting in 6–10 years — similar to a personal pension.
Section 2 · Income Security & Guaranteed Income
Question 5 of 12
For Bucket 1 — your short-term cash and safety reserves covering years 1–3 of retirement — what annual return would satisfy you, knowing this money carries zero stock market risk?
💡 Bucket 1 instruments include high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, short-term CDs, and your FERS Special Retirement Supplement (if eligible). Safety and liquidity are the priority here.
Section 2 · Income Security & Guaranteed Income
Question 6 of 12
For Bucket 2 — your intermediate stability reserves covering years 3–6 — what annual return would you consider satisfactory, knowing this bucket also carries no stock market risk?
💡 Bucket 2 instruments include Treasury bonds, the TSP G-Fund, and fixed-rate annuities from highly-rated carriers such as Allianz, Nationwide, or Pacific Life. These provide guaranteed growth with full principal protection.
Section 3 · Market Risk & Growth Strategy
Question 7 of 12
How did you respond emotionally and financially during the market declines of 2020 or 2022 — years when stock portfolios dropped 20%–35%?
Section 3 · Market Risk & Growth Strategy
Question 8 of 12
The Federal Fortress Plan™ uses tactical investment models for growth buckets — algorithm-driven strategies that signal an exit when market trends deteriorate, rather than riding losses all the way down. How appealing is this approach to you?
💡 Unlike traditional "buy and hold," tactical models use technical trend indicators to exit equity positions before severe downturns. This is not market timing — it's a rules-based sell discipline that removes emotional decision-making.
Section 3 · Market Risk & Growth Strategy
Question 9 of 12
For Buckets 3 and 4 — your long-term growth assets that won't be touched for 6–10+ years — what annual return range would you consider a success, understanding these involve some market exposure?
Section 4 · Plan Portability & Independence
Question 10 of 12
The Federal Fortress Plan™ is specifically designed to be portable and advisor-independent — meaning the plan continues functioning even if you change advisors, move, or the RIA firm changes. How important is this to you?
💡 Your plan uses instruments you recognize — T-bills, G-Fund, Fidelity or Vanguard funds, and annuities from nationally recognized carriers — so you're never locked in or dependent on a single firm.
Section 4 · Plan Portability & Independence
Question 11 of 12
Do you have a formal, written retirement income distribution plan today — one that addresses what you'll draw from, in what order, and what happens during a market downturn?
Section 5 · Your Primary Concern
Question 12 of 12
When you think about your retirement, which single concern keeps you up at night the most?
--
out of 36
—
Your Federal Fortress Plan™ Alignment Score
—
Score Interpretation
—
—
Score Tiers — Where Do You Fall?
Federal Fortress Plan™ Alignment Tiers
What This Means For You
The Next Step Is Clarity
—
Important Disclosure: This survey is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are based on self-reported preferences and are intended to help you think through retirement income planning concepts. All investment strategies involve risk. Fixed annuity and fixed index annuity products are issued by insurance companies and are subject to carrier financial strength and applicable state regulations. Past performance of any investment model does not guarantee future results. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.