Q. The beneficiaries of my TSP account are nonspousal relatives. What are their options upon my death? Have the recently enacted changes to TSP withdrawals affected any options? I was told by a TSP telephone representative that they could establish TSP beneficiary accounts, which would allow a monthly payment plan that would provide them benefits until their TSP accounts were depleted. However, I thought I had read somewhere that withdrawals of nonspousal relatives had to be completed within five years, but maybe that applies to IRAs.
Author Mike Miles
Mike Miles
Mike Miles is a Certified Financial Planner licensee and principal adviser for Variplan LLC, an independent fiduciary in Vienna, Virginia. Email your financial questions to fedexperts@federaltimes.com and view his blog at money.federaltimes.com.
Q. My wife passed away in August and I Inherited her 401(k). Do I have to put the account in my name first or can I roll it over directly into my TSP?
Q. The TSP web site says that for 2018 the “maximum elective deferral” is $18,500. Does this refer only to the employee’s own pre-tax contributions from his/her paycheck? Or does it also include agency automatic or matching contributions? I thought agency contributions plus the “maximum elective deferral” are subject to a much higher “annual addition limit” – $55,000 for 2018. However, someone recently said that agency contributions are, indeed, included in the $18,500 limit. Can you please clarify?
Q. I have 21 years of service in a covered law enforcement position. I have been offered a job with a large government contractor. I am 53 years old. I also have purchased back eight years of military service. By reading thru your FAQs I see I can get the Social Security Supplement until I reach the age of 57. When I retire is it better to roll my TSP over into the new job’s 401(k), or leave it alone and simply start a new one with my new employer? A. It’s hard to find a 401(k) plan that compares favorably…
Q. I am 74 years old and currently have TSP funds in the amount of $140,000 in the G Fund. Should I allocate about $30,000 or so in one of the riskier funds? I would like for my TSP to grow larger but am a little apprehensive about losing money if I move it. I didn’t start investing in the TSP until the last 15 years of government service. I only take out the RMD each year.
Q. Can you withdraw your TSP funds if you leave the federal government on disability retirement?
Q. I retired from the U.S. Postal Service on March 31, 2018, at age 55 under FERS. I had approximately $18,000 in gross earned income up to that point. I contributed approximately $3,000 to my TSP up to that point also. Can I still contribute $6,500 to my IRA for the tax year 2018?
Q. The TSP L Funds are going to be more aggressive going forward and are also increasing the amount allocated to the I Fund. Does this change your recommendation to choose the L Fund closest to your life expectancy?
Q. I just retired under FERS at MRA and on an immediate retirement. As such I am curious about pending legislation that would broaden my TSP withdraw options. If I understand correctly, as written I have few choices currently: lump sum or monthly installments based on life expectancy. Neither option is appealing, as I may need more or less once I understand my financial situation in retirement. I was considering rolling over my balance to another institution so that I had more flexibility in terms of access to my savings. I hesitate because I heard that the TSP rules may…
Q. Is it true that I can continue my max contributions after I turn 70? If yes, can I continue to elect the max for both accounts – regular and catch/up accounts?