Q: I will begin my first federal job soon. I turned 60 about one month ago. Must I work until age 65 to be eligible to receive Social Security or Thrift Savings Plan payments? I will have approximately four years and nine months of creditable service.
A: Not necessarily. Your eligibility for drawing Social Security benefits based on your own record will depend upon your age and your history of contributing to the program, among other factors. You should visit www.ssa.gov for details. The rules for contributing to and withdrawing from the TSP are available at www.tsp.gov. In neither case is age 65 a “magic number.”
