Q. I am 65 years old and will collect my first Social Security retirement check this month. I have been employed by the federal government for the past nine years; therefore, I have been enrolled in the Thrift Savings Program. If I retired today, my TSP benefit would be approximately $400 a month. Will my Social Security or TSP benefit be penalized because I am drawing benefits from both accounts?
A. It is possible that the taxes you owe on your SS benefits could affected by your annual income, including TSP distributions. See www.irs.gov/uac/Are-Your-Social-Security-Benefits-Taxable%3F for more info.