Q. I retired with FERS at age 60 with 31 years at the U.S. Postal Service under the Social Security supplement. Can I delay my Social Security when my supplement ends and earn the 8 percent each year until I pick the year I want it to start? Is there a special day to apply that ensures that 8 percent is included in the year I apply?
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. Could a retired federal employee transfer funds out of TSP into an IRA near the end of one year, then buy a QLAC at the beginning of the next year with 25 percent of the funds in the IRA, and then transfer the remaining balance of the IRA money back into the TSP? If so, this would be a way to use TSP money to purchase a QLAC, thus reducing the minimum required distributions from the TSP account.
Here are the year-to-date returns, through the end of June, for the five basic Thrift Savings Plan funds: C Fund = 9.34% I Fund = 14.10% S Fund = 7.41% F Fund = 2.48% G Fund = 1.17%. Interesting? Maybe to some. Useful? I don’t know how. As an investment manager — or TSP participant, as you are commonly known — you are responsible for making or delegating the making of a massive series of decisions. Some of these decisions, like whether you contribute to the Roth or the Traditional TSP accounts, will most likely wind up being relatively insignificant.…
Q. I am my sister’s beneficiary for her TSP account. She recently passed away. I am retired and taking RMD on my IRA, 203B’s, etc. Is it possible to add the TSP funds to my IRA or must I take a lump amount and pay taxes on that amount immediately?
Q. I am about 10 years from retiring from the federal government and would like more information on Medicare and Social Security. I was thinking about not taking my Social Security until I am 67 years old. My friend said she is applying for hers as soon as she is eligible (62). How do I determine which age is best for me? Are there comparison charts that will show me approximately what my overall benefit would be if I applied for social security at 62 versus 67?
Q. What would be the allocation for a moderate portfolio TSP? What percentage for C Fund, G Fund, I Fund, S Fund and F Fund?
Q. I will be 56 in August, already have 32 years of service at USPS and I am a FERS employee. I started contributing to the Roth TSP 5 years ago. If I withdraw anything from my TSP in 2018, will I be penalized because as I recently found out all dispersals come from both the regular TSP and the Roth proportionally. Do I have to be 59 1/2 to get penalty free withdrawal from Roth TSP or am I good at my MRA + 30 retirement? I thought I had read if you retired on an unreduced retirement that there were…
Q. I will be 59 in October and retired last June from the federal government. I am thinking of starting an S corporation. My income limit is $16,900 under Social Security. If I pay myself less than the income limit, will my retirement benefits stay the same? Also, when I file my annual income tax, the profit from the S corporation will be listed; does this amount affect retirement payments?
A. I was looking for some information regarding VERA and what effects it will have on benefits including TSP. I heard that you cannot withdrawal from TSP until age 55 without penalty. I was also told when I called the TSP helpline that even with a VERA, if you leave before age 55, you cannot withdrawal from TSP until age 59½ to avoid penalty. Does anyone know if what I was told is correct? I find it hard to figure things out with the TSP publications available. And you never know if the person you spoke with really knows. Can you…
A. Is it possible for me to take withdrawals from my TSP after I’m 59½ years old and still make contributions to the TSP while remaining a government employee? If so, what possible issues may arise?