Monthly Archives: March, 2013

Q. When retiring, can I take a large sum of my Thrift Savings Plan out before starting my monthly allotment with the remaining amount? A. Yes, as long as you haven’t taken an age-based, in-service withdrawal before you retire.

Q. I just finished paying off a Thrift Savings Plan loan, and the last loan payment was greater than the necessary last payment. Apparently, the difference will be sent to me by check. Does this count as a disbursement? Will I have to pay a penalty on this money? How can I just put it back into the TSP where it belongs? A. It doesn’t belong in the TSP. It’s an overpayment and will be refunded to you with no distribution or tax liability accruing.

Q. Can you elaborate more on the “Ask the Experts” answer at http://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-money/2011/02/16/rolling-a-portion-of-tsp-balance-into-self-directed-ira/.  The answer seems to imply that under some circumstances, Thrift Savings Plan funds can be rolled over into self-directed IRAs. Can you explain the circumstances under which it’s legal, and can you provide references? I’d like to create a self-directed IRA for my husband, who is 45 years old and no longer in federal service, and then use the funds to purchase a rental property, with the monthly rents going directly into the IRA. A. Rollovers are allowed for TSP participants who are no longer federal employees or…

Q. I have both a civilian and military Thrift Savings Plan account because I was mobilized for part of 2011-12. Because I was in a combat zone, much of my income was tax exempt (CZTE). The military allowed me to contribute that tax-exempt income into my TSP. It is not a tax deduction because the income wasn’t taxable in the first place. However, they also made contributions from my taxable income. I thought it was all from my CZTE. When I returned to my civilian job, I began to contribute and maxed out my contributions, not knowing about the earlier…

Q. My wife retired under a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority in August 2011. Her 1099-R displays a “1” as the distribution code in Block 7 of the form, “no known exceptions.” For years 2011 and 2012, we paid a 10 percent tax penalty for early withdrawal from her Thrift Savings Plan. I know the tax is usually levied unless the person is 59½ years of age, but at what age will the code on the 1099-R change for my wife so we won’t have to pay this tax? Will she benefit at some point because her retirement was a VERA, and at…

Q. I am below the age for Thrift Savings Plan withdrawal without penalty (soon to be 50), but it looks like I will be out on workers’ compensation under permanent disability shortly. Due to the impact on my income and an ongoing issue, I need to make a withdrawal or close my TSP to continue meeting my obligations. I have thoroughly researched the issue of using a TSP but have little choice. A loan is not an option (I’m paying one off and, if I’m on disability, I can’t take one out). And I’ve looked into other avenues, to include…

Q. I am a letter carrier, age 52, started in 1985 and have 28 years of creditable service. If I understand what I’ve gleaned from the posts here and the Postal Service were to offer me a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority this year, 1.  Would I begin my annuity immediately? 2.  Would I have no reductions in calculations of my annuity? (average high-3 x 1 percent x 28) 3.  Would I receive credit for half of my sick leave and all of my annual leave? (How are these applied?) 4.  Would I receive the special retirement supplement beginning at age…

Q. On March 11, you wrote a response to a gentleman who was retiring from the Postal Service and had a question about moving his Thrift Savings Program to a civilian account. In your response you wrote, “You are not required to roll over your TSP account and may continue it for life. You should do everything you can to keep your money in the TSP for as long as possible, since it is superior to any other investment account you will find. Your TSP should be the last account you tap for retirement income.” That response raised a few…

Q. How often am I able to change my allotment amount being drawn from my Thrift Savings Plan account yearly monthly, etc., while retired? Can I still move my money between funds after I start receiving the allotment? A. If you’re referring to automatic monthly distributions, the amount can be changed once each year, effective in January. You may, and are responsible to, continue to manage your account for as long as it continues.

Q. My husband is a Defense Department term employee. If his term does not get renewed in May, he wants to roll his Thrift Savings Program into my TSP. Would this be allowed? A. This is not allowed, but he may continue and manage his TSP account for life.