Q. I currently work for the U.S. Postal Service and have 38 years of service. I’ll be 66 years old in December 2019 and can collect my Social Security benefits in full while still working at the Post Office. Will they still reduce my benefits (government offset) even though I’m not retired or collecting my CSRS pension? A. The Social Security earned income offset will not apply to your Social Security retirement benefit once you reach your Social Security Full Retirement Age. The windfall elimination provision is calculated based on your earnings history and will be applied whether, or not,…
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Q. If I retire on Dec. 31, 2019, I will not be paid for annual leave I have saved until sometime the next year (2020). Does that money count against my 2020 Social Security earnings limit ($17,000), reducing my Social Security payments, or does it not count as earned income in 2020 (since I accrued it in previous years)? A. For purposes of the Social Security earned income offset, income counts in the year that it is earned, rather that the year in which it is paid.
Q. I’m a FERS employee. As I reach retirement and knowing about my retirement and Social Security, what is the best way to maximize my TSP? If I have $1 million in my TSP, would moving the money from the C Fund to the G Fund and implement the 4 percent rule without wavering on my withdrawals would I run out of money? If the G Fund pays 1-2 percent every year I still seem to leave this Earth with money remaining. Looking at 4 percent calculation models, if you’re making an average above the 4 percent you wind up…
Q. I will be 72 in November and will continue working for the government for another two years. Can I change my TSP contributions to a Roth IRA now and be able to withdrawn the money from the account without penalty when I retire in June 2021? A. A penalty will be assessed against any Roth TSP earnings that are withdrawn before age 59 ½ or less than 5 years after Jan. 1 of the year in which you made your first Roth TSP contribution, whichever is later.
Q. I already separated from federal service. I have $65,800 in my TSP account. I’m 49 years old. I want to receive substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) until age 59 1/2 (to avoid the 10 percent penalty). I also want to be able to contribute to the TSP via IRA rollovers from time to time after age 59 1/2. I know I can do an IRA rollover into the TSP as a separated employee, but I don’t know if I can still do a rollover into the TSP after the substantially equal periodic payments have begun. The rationale for this…
Q. I’m currently 31 and have 8 ½ years of government service. I’d like to retire as soon as possible, so what is the most practical course of action if you were in my shoes? Working to MRA of 57 (37 years of service), assuming the annuity is enough to support me in retirement, or waiting until 59 ½ to be able to collect the annuity and TSP payments? Or resigning at an earlier age?
Q. I’m 52 years old, with 33 years of service. If I’m offered VERA with a $25,000 bonus, can I immediately apply for the Social Security Supplement at the age of 52? Can I start the annuity from my Thrift Savings Plan at the age of 52? I want to make sure I have sufficient funds to live off of, if I’m not immediately employed by someone.
Q. If I take the VERA at age 55, can I roll my Fidelity IRA into my TSP and take monthly payments for all of it starting at 55 without the 10 percent penalty? Also, what is the time lag typically from retirement to get your first FERS annuity payment and TSP monthly payment? In other words, how long would I be out of pocket when I retire until those payments kick in?
Q. I am going to retire after 32 years of service under FERS. Do you have any knowledge about which company will be managing the annuity monies? I was told that it could be MetLife and wanted to look over their financials to see if I should put my TSP annuity with the same company or diversify with someone else.
Q. I had an accident (on my time) this year. Since my injuries impede me from performing the type of physical work I used to do, they are not offering me light duty and my sick leave is almost depleted, so I may have to retire. I’m thinking of purchasing the basic single life annuity with MetLife. I’m 63 years old and have $140,000 in my TSP. I had been planning in putting more in my TSP til age 66, but without the option to continue work I need to decide. Is this the annuity that pays the most or…