Kevin Estes, CFP®, CCFC, MBA

Welcome! I’m a financial planner who used to work at T-Mobile.

Now, I help T-Mobile employees and their families live great lives!

Making the most of the magenta benefits can change an entire family’s financial trajectory.

Support

T-Mobile’s total compensation is complicated. That complexity creates opportunity!

Below are resources for T-Mobile support (salaried) employees.

Illustration of a bowl of red alphabet soup with yellow letters spelling RSU, 401K, W2, VSP, ESPP, and HSA. White exterior bowl with two blue lines. Bowl interior is blue. Shadow cast to the right of the bowl. Steams rises from the bowl center.
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The six weeks starting mid-February is important for many T-Mobile employees

Most of the variable compensation is paid or determined then:

  • bonsues (short-term incentive plan) and annual merit increases (raises) are both announced and paid February
  • some of the Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) vest in February
  • additional RSUs are granted in February
  • the larger of the two Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) purchases occurs in early April

What is T-Mobile’s After-Tax plan?

T-Mobile offers an After-Tax plan which isn’t Roth. This plan has much higher limits and can be a way for employees who’ve maxed out their other options to save even more.

For 2025, the defined contribution limit is $70,000. That cap includes all contributions from both employer and employee.

Example

  • Jen contributes $23,500 to her 401(k)
  • T-Mobile matches $10,000
  • Jen could contribute $36,500 to her After-Tax (not Roth) account

For more, check out:
Contribute to Pre-Tax or After-Tax?

Title: Jen Could Contribute $36,500 to After-Tax. 2025: Total Deferral Limit $70,000 - Pre-Tax 401(k) Max $23,500 - Company Match $10,000 = After-Tax Max $36,500.
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What are some Paid Time Off (PTO) considerations for support employees?

Each department has an annual work cycle. Financial Planning & Analysis is heaviest in the fall. It’s also best to take PTO mid-month.

The first quarter is a tough time for Accounting to take vacation.

Taking time off when coworkers do as well can make PTO feel less like “get behind days.” Many departments take time off during:

  • mid-winter or spring break,
  • summer, and
  • holidays.

How does a T-Mobile employee fund their children’s education?

Very few people can pay up to $85,000 per child each year for college from their cash flow. It’s worth considering the all-in cost of each college before applying:

  • in-state tuition,
  • out-of-state discounts like the Western Undergraduate Exchange,
  • community college,
  • Advanced Placement® / International Baccalaureate®,
  • merit scholarships, and
  • need-based financial aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) may be an important step. Also, colleges provide Net Price Calculators to help families estimate their potential cost of attendance.

Title: 'Paying for College' on top. In-state tuition, regional discounts, community college, AP / IB, merit scholarships, need-based financial aid, FAFSA®, Net Price Calculators.
Title: 'COMBINING FINANCES IS LIKE' in permanent marker on top. It's a photo of a light dimmer on one side and switch on the other. 'THIS!' with an arrow points to the dimmer. 'NOT THIS!' with an arrow points to the switch.

How can T-Mobile employees best combine finances with a life partner?

Some people think combining finances is like a light switch: either combined or separate.

However, it’s more like a dimmer with infinite options.

The most important thing is that each person feel comfortable with how they share their finances.

For more, check out: Combining Finances Is Like a Dimmer Switch.

Do estate taxes matter for T-Mobile support employees?

Estate tax thresholds are much lower than the federal limit in many states - especially those in the Pacific Northwest:

  • Washington taxes estates over $2.193 million
  • Oregon taxes estates over $1 million

It may be worth exploring options to reduce estate size so more money goes to intended beneficiaries and causes.

For more, check out:
Will You Owe Estate Tax?

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Hey, thanks for reading my take on T-Mobile’s support benefits.

As a reminder, I share a lot of resources that can help you.

Sign up here:

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Kevin Estes is a financial planner helping T-Mobile employees and their families live great lives.

He worked in T-Mobile Financial Planning & Analysis for nine years. Kevin received a certificate in financial planning, passed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ exam, and founded Scaled Financed in 2022.

Learn more

Part of a well-connected network:

Certified Financial Planner
Certified College Financial Consultant
NAPFA Member
XY Planning Network
Western Washington Financial Advisors Network
Fee-Only Network Member
Featured on WealthTender
Advice-Only Network
The Society of Advice
Measure Twice Planners
Early Retirement Advisors
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