Monthly Archives: April, 2013

Q. So if I follow all the rules related to my current Thrift Savings Plan account, and I begin making systematic withdrawals under the annuity factor method at age 55: 1. Can I contribute to my new employer’s 401(k) while drawing from my TSP? (I may want to take a downscaled job and subsidize the lower income with my TSP distributions.) 2. Are any Internal Revenue Service restrictions in place regarding my Roth IRA because I am taking distributions from my 401(k) at age 55? A. Yes, you may contribute to a 401(k) while taking distributions from your TSP account,…

Q. I will have approximately $550,000 in my Thrift Savings Plan when I retire this year at age 60. In addition, I have other investments and will be receiving a federal pension. Using a 4 percent investment withdrawal rate and anticipating future Social Security benefits, my income will exceed expenses by 20 percent, so I may dial back the 4 percent to something less. Considering this and with a willingness to accept a moderate amount of risk, what would be an appropriate TSP fund allocation for a younger retired person? A. I can’t tell you what is right for you…

Q. I am a FERS employee who will turn 70 in September. I fully expect to be working at 70½. Will I be required to take the minimum withdrawal from my Thrift Savings Plan account if I’m still working? A. As long as you are still working for the federal government, distributions from your TSP account will not be required.

Q. What types of funds can be used to buy back military service time (nonqualified, qualified, Thrift Savings Plan account funds, IRA funds)? A. Only after-tax money can be used, so you can’t use TSP, IRA or 401(k) money for this unless you withdraw it and pay the tax bill first.

Q. Should I keep my money in the Thrift Savings Plan after I retire or put it in an IRA? What would be best to make the most interest? A. Stick with the TSP. You can’t beat the G Fund for risk-free interest.

Q. I am being considered for disability retirement in the coming months. My application is pending consideration from the Office of Personnel Management. I am a GS-14 FERS employee, 54 years old, with about 32 years of service. I have approximately $250,000 in the Thrift Savings Plan, and my allocations are as follows: 15 percent C, 15 percent S and 70 percent I. I realize that is somewhat aggressive, but it has been like that for about seven years or so, and I have been hopeful of the international home run. Regrettably, this hasn’t necessarily come to fruition. I will…

Q. I have been contributing to my traditional Thrift Savings Plan for the past 3½ years and have accumulated about $7,000. With the introduction of Roth TSP, I was wondering if I should stop contributing to my traditional TSP and start a Roth TSP. I plan on being in a higher tax bracket when I retire, and I also have a Roth IRA. A. If you’re confident that your tax rate will be higher on the contributions later than it is now, you should contribute the Roth TSP first.

Q. I am making payments to buy back my military deposit and I will also be making a redeposit of FERS funds. Can I transfer funds from the Thrift Savings Plan to military buyback and FERS? After all, these are both accounts for retirement and not money I’d be using now. A. No.