Q. I plan on retiring with 31 years of service at age 57. I have both the Regular TSP and the Roth TSP. I plan to withdraw my Thrift Savings Plan in a single payment. Can I transfer 100 percent of the Regular TSP to a Traditional IRA, but take the Roth TSP funds as a direct withdrawal without penalty? A. I believe so, as long as you have held the Roth account for at least five years. You should consult a tax adviser for specific advice before you proceed.
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Q. I have three IRA accounts and I turned 70 in March. Do I combine the three to figure the required withdrawal? What would the tax be if I do a lump-sum withdrawal from all three? A. You must obey the aggregations rules for calculating your IRA RMD spelled out in IRS Publication 590. The taxable portion of each withdrawal will be added to your tax return as ordinary income for the year, where the tax you owe on the withdrawal will be calculated. Whoever prepares your tax return for the year of the withdrawal is responsible for making sure…
Q. Can I take my money out of the TSP and pay the penalty? Is there any way to get all my money out without having to retire or quit? If so, can I then move it into another self-directed IRA? A. The only ways to remove money from your TSP account before reaching age 59-1/2 while you are still a federal employee are: a loan and/or an in-service financial-hardship withdrawal. Neither of these may be rolled into an IRA account.
Q. I am a 55-year-old Postal employee planning to retire sometime in the next year under CSRS. Many years ago, I purchased a $2,000 Vanguard IRA that has grown to more than $40,000. I also have a separate similarly valued Roth IRA. I know that I can begin penalty-free withdrawals from TSP after separation, but can I roll my Vanguard IRA into TSP? I also know that I cannot roll my Roth into TSP. My desire is to have the money accessible before 59-1/2 and to avoid having three pots to withdraw MRDs when I’m 70-1/2. Any suggestions? A. You…
Q. I am almost 57-1/2 years old, and I have more than 30 years with the Defense Department. Can I roll my TSP into a self-directed IRA now without retiring or quitting? I want control over where it is and how it grows, and I am concerned about the government taking it to pay its debts before I can remove it normally at 59-1/2. A. No.
Q. Yesterday, I read your article dated May 20, 2013, “How to be a good pension fund manager.” I wish I had read it before I moved money from my TSP to an outside IRA last year. I wish I had taken some other steps as well. I now want to add back cash to my Thrift Savings Plan before I retire. I could retire at the end of November 2014. Can I do that with catch up contributions? My major disappointment is with the TSP staff and the absence of an onsite adviser in human resources. Does it benefit…
Q. I am 60 and had to retire early due to disability. I am receiving Social Security disability and a small annuity. Can I take a small amount — say, $10,000 — from my account but then start monthly draws when/if it becomes necessary? Should I leave all of my money in this account or do a rollover into a regular or Roth IRA? A. Yes, as long as you have not previously used your single partial withdrawal. I think you should retain your Thrift Savings Plan account for as long as possible.
Q. I understand that you can transfer funds into and out of your Thrift Savings Plan from either eligible pretax plans and/or after-tax plans. However, withdrawals (loans, withdrawals and interfund transfers) are made proportionately from both the traditional and Roth. Thus, you cannot specify withdrawals from only the traditional or the Roth. This is seen as a major drawback for some who would like to participate in the Roth option only or make withdrawals from only the traditional or the Roth option. Would it be possible, at or near retirement, to transfer a major amount of your TSP balance —…
Q. I am 67 and retired. I made a partial withdrawal a few years ago. I need some cash for a family matter, so I want to make a full withdrawal now. I don’t want an annuity, but I’ll invest half in a commercial IRA or retirement instrument in hope of reducing the immediate tax impact of this full withdrawal. Can I do so? — that is, invest half of this full withdrawal in another commercial instrument, thus avoiding for now the tax on this “re-invested” amount? A. Yes.
Q. I am a federal employee under FERS. My financial adviser claims that the famously low Thrift Savings Plan administrative fees increase substantially after a federal employee separates from service. He is using this as justification to roll over my TSP into one of his firm’s IRAs. Is it true? A. Not true. The TSP’s expenses are the same for all participants, employed or retired. In the future, you should avoid confusing a salesperson with an adviser.