Q. I know you can transfer a Thrift Savings Plan balance directly into a Roth and pay taxes on the entire amount, which are due at time of tax filing. This causes a tax burden that may be difficult to cover with personal funds. However, is it possible to withdraw the funds directly into your checking account and within the 60-day window, still roll over these funds into the Roth, but at a level that is net of taxes? This would allow a portion of the TSP withdrawal to cover the ultimate tax liability? A. This is a question for your tax…
Monthly Archives: July, 2013
Q. I worked for the Department of Justice from 1989 to 2003 under FERS. I have worked in the private sector since that time. I will be 62 in 2015, at which time I think I qualify for a retirement annuity. Can I do all of the following: 1. Receive a FERS annuity based on my high-3 salary; 2. Continue to be employed in the private sector; and 3. Leave my Thrift Savings Plan money where it is for now. Is there any reason not to do this, or any value in deferring this? My impression is that the annuity…
Q. I would like a clear explanation of how (i.e., method) to rebalance my Thrift Savings Plan fund allocations at particular intervals or cycles as mentioned in Mike Miles’ financial column. I am 63 and plan to retire at 66. My current allocations are: G: 25 percent F: 15 percent C: 35 percent S: 10 percent I: 15 percent A. This is a question for the TSP support staff. Call the Thrift Line.
Q. All of my money is in the F fund and I’ve lost a few thousand dollars in the past couple of months. What fund transfer/allocations would you suggest to recover that money (quickly?) and what investment allocation would you recommend until I retire in eight years? A. Losing money is not a reason to change your investment strategy. All strategies/allocations are subject to loss – that’s the price you pay for the prospect of growth. If 100 percent F Fund was the right asset allocation for your account a couple of months ago, what makes you think it isn’t the…
Q. My husband was forced to retire early when the Army depot closed here in Sacramento, Calif. Several years later, he was forced to stop working due to a stroke and applied for Social Security disability. He was told that his Social Security allotment was greatly reduced because of his Thrift Savings Plan retirement account. He never thought this was fair because he has worked and paid Social Security all his life, but instead of receiving about $1,500 a month on Social Security, he receives a reduced $450. By comparison, I retired on a state pension and am fully qualified…
Q. I turn 70½ this year and want to start Required Minimum Distribution withdrawals from the Thrift Savings Plan based on life expectancy. 1. Starting withdrawals now will not equal the total RMD amount required for the year (since withdrawals are paid monthly). Will TSP issue a “catch-up” payment before Dec. 31 to fulfill the total RMD? 2. My TSP account is allocated among all five TSP funds (based on percentages advised by financial adviser). Will TSP apportion the RMD from all of those funds and keep my designated allocation percentages? 3. TSP told me it will not withhold taxes on my RMD…
Q. I have been in FERS for 16 years. I have been in the Army Reserve for 21 and plan to stay in until after my FERS minimum retirement age (58). I have enough combat time to be eligible for early reserve retirement pay at 58. I have deployed to combat several times and receive a combat-related injury compensation from the Veterans Affairs Department. I have a FERS Thrift Savings Plan and a military member TSP. I am thinking of buying back four years of active-duty time toward my FERS retirement. I believe former President Bush signed a special combat-related compensation…
Q. When I left federal service in 2001, I rolled over my Thrift Savings Plan savings to a private investment firm. Subsequently, I returned briefly to federal service and accrued enough money in my TSP account to permit me to return funds to the TSP from a private-sector financial manager. Should I do this? I am about to turn 65. A. The TSP is best retirement investment environment you’ll find. If it were me, I’d choose the TSP over a bank or broker any day.
Q. If the lump-sum payment is considered earned income for tax purposes but is not eligible to Thrift Savings Plan deferral nor does it serve as the base for automatic agency contributions, wouldn’t it make better sense not to cash in the leave? Rather, wouldn’t it be more lucrative to continue working, take the earned vacation over the year, collect matching funds for TSP, matching funds for health insurance, and on top of that, continue to accrue more annual leave, more sick leave, and enjoy the vacation time off? I understand no supervisor/manager would approve a single vacation of 5+…
Q. I retired in 2005 with 30 years in the military. I am 58 years old. If I want to make a full withdrawal now, how much will I pay in taxes? If I wait until I’m 59½, will I pay less? A. TSP withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. The amount of income tax you pay will depend upon your tax return for the year in which you take the withdrawal. If you withdraw the money before you reach age 59½, you will likely also have to pay the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. You’ll avoid this penalty by…