Q. I am a retired FERS employee. I do not have a TSP, but do have other IRA accounts. Since FERS is a qualified plan, is there a required minimum distribution requirement associated with my FERS retirement?
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 have a pension plan with a former company. I just received a notice from them that I can leave it in place to take when I reach retirement age or roll a lump sum payment in to another eligible retirement account (my TSP). I am a FERS employee and will retire at 62 (in 12 years). If I leave it in place to take after I retire, I estimate the amount to be about $450 a month. Should I leave it where it is or think about rolling it over in to my TSP where I am in…
Q. I am planning to retire in 2021 after 27 years of federal service. If I decide to collect Social Security at the age of 63 1/2 years. is the federal retirement considered earned income? Also, I receive a check from my ex-husband’s military retirement. Is that also considered earned income that could push me over the $16,000 limit per year?
Q. I am currently retired in a 2020 lifestyle. Should I consider transferring recent gains from the stock surge into the G Fund?
Q. You state that anyone who invests in the TSP should invest in the fund that corresponds most to their life expectancy if not sure of how to allocate among the C, S, I, F, G funds. Does this hold true if I retire at 55 and access the funds in my TSP immediately? After all, L2050 fund is for those that will access their TSP in 2045 or later, at least that’s what it says on the TSP site.
Q. I have the opportunity for a one-time lump-sum payment from the Thrift Savings Plan. I have not started taking an annuity from TSP. I am wondering what are the benefits or hazards of taking a one-time lump-sum withdrawal vs. starting taking an annuity? Taxes are great for one-time lump-sum withdrawal, but would it be as painful as just starting my annuity? When is it a good time to take a one-time lump-sum withdrawal? I am thinking of a one-time withdrawal and not starting my annuity until next year.
Q. I receive a CSRS annuity only, I don’t have any other investments, i.e. TSP, IRAs or anything close. I turned 70 1/2 in 2017 and the required minimum distributions requirement is confusing. From what I’ve read the past couple of days, it appears that I don’t require any RMD for my situation. Can you clarify?
Q. I am 61 years of age and a CSRS annuitant for the past last seven years. My wife is also a CSRS annuitant (age 55). We are both in the L2020 fund. With our joint annuities we are financially whole. My question is, we are contemplating transferring 50 percent of my 2020 fund (approximately $150,000) and 50 percent of her L2020 fund (approximately $70,000) to the L2030 fund. We are both in good health. Please comment on the transfer proposal and the amounts.
Q. With the new tax law regulations making it not as beneficial to donate to charity due to not as many people itemizing their deductions, is it possible to directly move money from the TSP to a charity to avoid the tax and enhance the gift to the charity?
Q. I will be retiring at age 56 and will be eligible for the special retirement supplement upon retirement. Is my lump-sum payment for annual leave used in an earnings test to reduce my SRS? If I am eligible for a VERA incentive payment, is this used in an earnings test to reduce my SRS?