Q: Is it possible to obtain the various recommended asset allocation models that you mentioned in your column of Feb. 8, 2010? That was an excellent article! A: Our allocation models are proprietary and intended for use as part of an integrated management process. You will find a useful set of TSP allocation models at www.tsp.gov in the L Funds section. Use the starting allocation for each of the L Funds as a guide.
Monthly Archives: February, 2010
Q: I retired as a FERS annuitant Feb. 1, 2006, when I was 62. If I am rehired, will my current FERS gross annuity before taxes be deducted from the new gross salary before taxes? If I have the maximum for retirement, including the over 50 extra amount, deducted and invested in the TSP, am I matched by the federal government and vested from day one for as long as I decide to work? I left my TSP with the federal government and I have not taking anything from the TSP. I’m working as a federal contractor. A: Your TSP…
Q. Can I take advantage of an traditional IRA under these circumstances. I am retired, with a pension from my former job plus Social Security distributions. I am 70.25 years old (limit 70.5). If I am eligible to start an IRA, then how long must it remain to avoid any withdrawal penalties? And what fees are involved during withdrawals? I understand that I would only be eligible to make a one-time catch up contribution of $6,000. This move is an effort to reduce the taxes due for 2009. A. You are not eligible to contribute to an IRA unless you…
Q. I retired under CSRS in 2006 . I already took out my one-time withdrawal of TSP a couple years ago. I did not go to work after retiring and do not have enough credits to receive Social Security. I also do not have any other IRAs or a Roth IRA. My question is, if I want some of the money, is there anything I can roll it into where I can draw out partials when I want, or is the only other thing I can do is withdraw it all and pay the taxes on it? I don’t want…
Q: I am a federal employee. I have an HDHP (family plan) with an HSA through a FEHB insurer. The HSA cash account is getting funded to the extent that I would like to exercise some investment options. However, the investment options with the HSA trustee are load funds with high expenses that don’t have the greatest track record. Can I set up a separate HSA with another fund family and transfer funds from the cash account to the separate HSA? Or am I stuck with the investment options selected by the FEHP insurer? The insurer is Aetna and the…
Q: I have attempted to get answers on withdrawing my annuity but I am generally referred to the TSP page. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really answer my specific question. Can I purchase an annuity with part of my TSP and leave the balance in my TSP until I am 70½ and then start taking out monthly payments? A: Yes, as long as you haven’t already used your one-time partial withdrawal allowance at the time you use it to buy the annuity.
Q: I’m recently separated, keeping the house, and want to refinance in order to release my wife from the original mortgage. I do qualify to refinance, but am upside down by about $30,000. I’m a federal employee, and would have to take the $30,000 out of my TSP retirement account. If I make an early withdrawal from my TSP account that will be used solely for refinancing my home, will I still have to pay tax and the IRS early withdrawal penalty on the $30K? A: None of the circumstances you mention will excuse you from the early withdrawal penalty.…
Q: In answering a previous question about maximum nondeductible contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts, you wrote: “Your participation in the Thrift Savings Plan should not prohibit you from making the maximum nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA in 2009.” Is the answer the same if I have a Roth IRA instead of a traditional IRA? Can I max out both TSP at $22,000 and ROTH IRA at $6,000? A: The rules are different for Roth IRA contributions. You’ll have to use an online calculator or the rules contained in IRS Publication 590 to see if you can contribute to both.
Q: I just read the “lost decade” article in Money Matters and I am wondering why you did not mention the L Funds. I have all my Thrift Savings Plan funds allocated to L Funds as recommended to me since I am in my 10-year window of retirement. Is that a mistake? Should I also diversify into the other five individual funds? A: I’m not a fan of the L Funds, but I can’t say that using them is a mistake. The problem I have with them is that it’s difficult to know whether the robotic allocation shifts they make are…
Q: What happens with Federal Employees Retirement System unused sick leave and annual leave at retirement? I will have 2,080 hours at retirement and would like to cash that time in toward my Thrift Savings Plan. A: Based on the current regulations, the potential candidate for this maneuver would be unused annual leave, which must be taken in cash at retirement. Nothing definitive has happened on this yet, but it is under consideration.