Q: I plan to retire sometime around age 55 with 28-plus years of federal law enforcement service. I am aware I can make a one-time partial Thrift Savings Plan withdrawal. My question is: Upon retirement, can I request that TSP purchase a Met Life annuity for me with 75 percent of my TSP account and leave the rest untouched and, hopefully, growing until I decide to make monthly withdrawals or turn 70 1/2? The partial withdrawal form does not seem to provide this option, and neither does the full withdrawal form. A: Unfortunately, if you use part of your account…
Monthly Archives: July, 2010
Q: I understand that the IRS will allow TSP funds to roll over into a Roth IRA. However, that does not mean that the company that runs the TSP will allow it. I’m 46 years old and in federal service with the Federal Employees Retirement System. How can I move my TSP funds into a Roth IRA? A: You can’t.
Q: I’ve recently received a civil service deposit account statement and have two questions regarding payment. I am planning on rolling over an IRA account for payment. My first question: Can you confirm that there are no tax penalties for rolling over an IRA to the Civil Service Retirement System (Redeposit)? These are the instructions I am planning on giving my IRA company: Make check payable to Office of Personnel Management. Indicate FBO [my name] and include the claim number in the memo. My second question: Do you expect that this will cause any delays in processing my payments? If…
Q: For those covered under Federal Employees Retirement System law enforcement retirement, is the earnings test applied toward funds received from their Thrift Savings Plan if those amounts exceed the earnings test for Special LEO/FF SS Supplement after their minimum retirement age? A: No. TSP withdrawals are not considered earned income.
Q: My wife and I are retiring from federal civil service on Sept. 30. We want to continue adding money to IRAs we had prior to our civil service careers. We will not be employed after leaving the federal government. Can you share the contribution amount we can make to an IRA annually? A: If you have no earned income, you can’t make IRA contributions.
Q: Once retired from the federal government, how long can you leave your money in the Thrift Savings Plan without making a designation on how it is to be allocated? A: You can leave your money in the TSP and direct it, or not, as you see fit, until the IRS Required Minimum Distribution rules kick in.
Q: I am 58 years old and will turn 59 1/2 in March, at which point I will be able to empty my Thrift Savings Plan account without an early distribution penalty. However, I would like to access these funds now to pay for some of my son’s law school expenses. He is 30 years old and not a dependent. Is there any reason why I could not roll over some of my TSP funds into a traditional individual retirement account and then withdraw the funds from the IRA now so that I can use the money for the expenses…
Q: Once retired from the federal government, how long can you leave money in a Thrift Savings Plan account without designating how it is to be allocated? A: You can leave your money in the TSP and direct it — or not, as you see fit — until the IRS Required Minimum Distribution rules kick in.
Q: I have been separated from my spouse for six years, and he refuses to sign the paperwork for me to receive funds from my Thrift Savings Plan. What are my options? Should I just leave the money in the account? A: This is a divorce matter. You should consult an attorney.
Q: My wife and I are retiring from federal civil service effective Sept. 30 and want to continue adding money to individual retirement accounts we have had since before our civil service careers. We will not be employed after leaving the federal government. What is the contribution amount we can make to an IRA annually? A: If you have no earned income, you can’t make IRA contributions.