Research & Planning for the Families We Serve

Original equity research and specialized financial planning from Eslyn Hernandez. Articles, guides, and quarterly newsletters — all in one place.

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16+
Articles
24
Guides & Reports
2
Quarterly Letters
2026
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Latest Articles

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★ LEGISLATIVE INTELLIGENCE

The OBBBA Planning Window: 30+ Tax & Retirement Changes You Need to Know

SALT cap raised to $40K, estate exemption $15M permanent, TCJA rates locked in. Here's what changed and which provisions expire in 2028.

Eslyn Hernandez 12 min read
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★ VCF STRATEGY

How to Invest a $500K VCF Award Without Losing Half to Taxes

Your VCF award is tax-free. Your investment returns aren't. Here are 5 tax-efficient strategies with a sample $500K allocation.

Eslyn Hernandez 9 min read
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VETERAN TAX STRATEGY

VA Disability + TSP Withdrawal: The Tax-Free Stack

Combine VA disability, Roth TSP, and the 0% capital gains zone to build a retirement income stream with an effective tax rate near zero.

Eslyn Hernandez 8 min read
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9/11 RESPONDERS

NYPD 9/11 Responders: How to Stack Your VCF, Pension & USVSST Benefits

Most officers who responded to Ground Zero don't realize they may qualify for four separate income streams. Here's how to coordinate them.

Eslyn Hernandez 8 min read
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PENSION ANALYSIS

FDNY EMS Pension vs. Fire Pension: The Gap Nobody Talks About

Same department, dramatically different retirements. The annual pension gap between FDNY EMS and Fire can exceed $23,500.

Eslyn Hernandez 8 min read
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SECURE 2.0 for First Responders: 5 New Rules You Need to Know

Penalty-free withdrawals at 50, student loan 401(k) matching, emergency savings — Congress gave first responders new retirement tools.

Eslyn Hernandez 8 min read
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Guides & Research

★ VCF PLANNING

Complete Guide to Managing Your 9/11 VCF Award

Comprehensive planning framework for VCF recipients—tax treatment under IRC §139, investment allocation, and estate protection strategies.

Eslyn Hernandez 15 min read
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USVSST FUND

USVSST Distribution Planning Guide

Strategic positioning for each distribution round, including lien resolution and timing optimization for the Sixth Distribution.

Eslyn Hernandez 12 min read
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ASSET RECOVERY

Bitcoin Recovery & MDL 1570 Case Analysis

Monitoring the Bitfinex hack recovery proceedings and their impact on terrorism fund beneficiaries. $11.4B under judicial review.

Sirmium Research 10 min read
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PENSION OPTIMIZATION

First Responder Pension Optimization Guide

Side-by-side pension analysis for FDNY, NYPD, and PAPD — lump-sum vs. annuity options, VCF offset strategies, and retirement income planning.

Eslyn Hernandez 14 min read
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MILITARY / TSP

Military TSP Rollover Strategy Guide

Strategic IRA rollover timing to minimize tax acceleration under the SECURE Act while maintaining asset flexibility for veterans.

Eslyn Hernandez 12 min read
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VETERAN PLANNING

Veteran Wealth Defense Framework

Comprehensive financial planning for veterans—VA disability coordination, TSP strategies, BRS analysis, and estate protection.

Eslyn Hernandez 14 min read
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Quarterly Newsletters

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Eslyn's Report: 2025 Year End Update

A transparent review of 2025 performance — examining the impact of AI economics and passive fund concentration. Detailed updates on ASML, Alphabet, and Root Inc.

Eslyn Hernandez January 2026
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Eslyn's Report: October (Q3 2025 Review)

Deep dive into market cycles driven by human nature, the impact of $37T national debt on asset allocation, and strategic positioning in gold and Bitcoin.

Eslyn Hernandez October 2025
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