Q: I truly do not know what I’m doing with my Thrift Savings Plan funds. I’ve been told to divesify them; what exactly does that mean? If you were to look at this breakdown (figures rounded slightly) and know that I won’t retire for 21 years, what recommendation(s) would you make? L 2040 Lifecycle Fund: 74.72 percent of total funds, $21,423; F Fund: 5.33 percent, $1,529; G Fund: 5.28 percent, $1,515; C Fund: 4.91 percent, $1,408; I Fund: 4,88 percent, $1,400; S Fund: 4.88 percent, $1,398. A: Consider the following growth allocation: 55 percent C Fund, 26 percent S Fund,…
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: I joined the federal government more than three years ago. Can I roll over money from my Individual Retirement Account into my Thrift Savings Plan account? A: Yes, as long as long as your IRA doesn’t contain basis — that is, money that’s already been taxed.
Q: I am retiring next month and am not interested in assuming risk in my retirement funds at this time. Would be best to roll over Thrift Savings Plan funds into an Individual Retirement Account, or should I leave the money in the TSP? I currently have 50 percent of my money in the G Fund and 25 percent in the C and S Funds. A: Your interests will be best served by leaving your money in the TSP as long as possible.
Q: Can a new federal employee roll over a pre-tax 401(k) from a private-sector job into the Thrift Savings Plan? A: Yes.
Q: I am just about to retire from the FBI, where I’ve worked for 30 years. My parents left me a stock portfolio which dates back several decades. I would like, after retiring, to find and purchase a home using the stock portfolio, which is held in a trust my parents set up for me. I have never purchased a house, and I am wondering if there is any way to get around the capital gains taxes that probably would eat up huge chunks of the value of the stock portfolio once I liquidate most of the stocks to purchase…
Q: I worked for the federal government for about 12 years. When I left, I used some of my Thrift Savings Plan money as a down payment on my current home. That turned out to be a good move, since I bought when the market was down and my home’s value has gone up. However, with the recent downturn in the market, my parents have lost a tremendous amount of money and are in financial need. I would like to give them the remaining money in my TSP account (about $10,000). Is there any way to roll over my TSP…
Watching the news about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, I am struck by the similarities between drilling for oil and trying to extract wealth from an investment portfolio. After wondering — and worrying — about the impact of the spill on life and livelihood, my question was: How could this well have been drilled without a reliable plan to stop the flow of oil in the event of a problem?” I realized that most investors — Thrift Savings Plan investors included — make the same mistake with their portfolios every day: They take risks that they don’t understand, or…
Q: My birthday is Dec. 27. I will be 60 this year. How do I calculate when I am exactly 59 1/2 years old? A: Adding 6 months to your birthday will work. You’ll be 59 1/2 on June 27, 2010.
Q: I turned 55 this year and just applied for disability retirement under the Federal Employees Retirement System. I have large bills I want to pay off. My income will drop the first year, then will decrease $1,000 the following year before continuing at that rate. I realize if I keep my Thrift Savings Plan or roll it over once I leave service, I will not be able too take a loan on it. I realize I will need to pay my fair share of taxes, but is there a way I can work it out that I can take…
Q: I am a Senior Executive Service employee with two years of active federal civilian service and 34 years of prior active military service. I have been discussing a possible opportunity wherein I would leave the federal government for a year or so and work as a contractor. I would then hope to compete for another SES position with a different agency and return to active federal civilian service. Because I have only two years of active federal civilian service, will I lose the agency matching contributions I have received in my Thrift Savings Plan account to date if I…