Q. The continued drop of the stock market (and therefore the C, S and I Funds) is scaring me and I want to preserve the gains I had in 2017. I just reallocated my TSP balance to C, S and I Funds on January 29, moving from an L Fund allocation. I change my allocation every year in January, but in hindsight it was a bad decision this time. If I have, say, $200,000 today, will an interfund transfer to the G Fund show my TSP balance to be $200,000 tomorrow? I want to stop my TSP balance from dropping…
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 husband after 33 years of marriage has decided on a divorce. He is 63 and I am 61. He has a TSP. I will be receiving 50 percent as part of the divorce settlement. Will I have to pay tax on my share upon distribution or can I roll over my portion into an IRA? I do not have a 401(k). If I have to pay tax, would it benefit me and lower my tax penalty to take a portion over a series of years?
Q. I’m planning on retiring June 2018. I have 38 years of service at age 57 with and outstanding TSP loan of $20,000. Will I get penalized if my load is not repaid? And can I withdraw the rest of my TSP once I separate?
Q. I am 86 years old and going to retire in 2018. I want to know how much will I have to take out of my TSP account each month? My wife is 18 years younger than me; can this be used to lessen my required funds that I must take when I retire?
Q. I am a CSRS retiree and turn 65 in one week. I am presently covered under the FEHB, BCBS Self Plus One. Do I have to enroll in Medicare or has this been done automatically for me?
Q. Could you tell me how a large loan against my TSP will be treated when I retire? I still owe $30,000 and am considering retiring soon. Am I penalized and taxed on those funds? If so, are there any ways around that?
Q. When vacation pay is issued upon retirement can that be rolled over to an IRA account so you don’t pay taxes on it at that time?
Q. I will receive an apportionment from my ex-husband’s U.S. Postal Service CSRS pension in the amount of 50 percent. Since this is his pension, but I will be receiving the apportionment, will Social Security consider my share “pension” for me and subject me to the windfall elimination provision even though the pension was not from my employment but from my husband’s employment/pension?
Q. Should I move all my old money from a life-cycle fund to the G Fund in light of the government shutdown?
Q. I have been offered a U.S. Postal Service VERA and want to take the offer but can not live on just my annuity. How do I get to use my TSP before age 55 without taking a penalty? I have 31 years, all with USPS. I have money in my TSP but no other savings.