Q. I am a recent FERS retiree with 32 years of credited government service and retired at the minimum retirement age of 56 (I was born in 1959). I thought that I can withdraw my TSP at the MRA without incurring early withdrawal penalties. However, in reviewing my 2015 1099-R from TSP, box 7 indicates a (2), which I understand is an early distribution. Is this information correct?
A. It is an early distribution — taken before age 59 ½ — but you will qualify for an exception to the penalty based on your age at retirement.
