Q: I am 52 years old with 27 years with the Postal Service (FERS). How would it affect me if I accepted the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA)? Would I get the Social Security Supplement upon acceptance, and how would it affect my TSP, as I would need to start withdrawing it immediately upon accepting the VERA?
A: Under this scenario, your TSP funds will be subject to the early withdrawal rules until you reach age 59 1/2. You could avoid the early withdrawal penalty, however, by initiating a series of Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) under IRS code section 72(t), or by using the funds to purchase a life annuity.
