Q. As a current furloughed government employee, can I withdraw money from my IRA and not be taxed the additional 10 percent under the exception: being unemployed and paying for health insurance premiums? A. From IRS Publication 590: Even if you are under age 59½, you may not have to pay the 10 percent additional tax on distributions during the year that are not more than the amount you paid during the year for medical insurance for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. You will not have to pay the tax on these amounts if all of the following conditions…
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Q. My husband happens to be one of the 800,000 who got furloughed. I have an IRA of $3,400. Would I be able to cash that in without a penalty to get us by for, say, a month or so, depending on how long the furlough lasts? A. There is no exception to the early withdrawal penalty for a government furlough. You will be subject to the penalty unless you are age 59½ or meet one of the other exceptions to the penalty described in Internal Revenue Service Publication 590.
Q. I want to take a loan from my Thrift Savings Plan account to cover my bills during the shutdown. According to the TSP loan booklet, as long as the furlough last less than 30 days, this is not a problem. If the furlough lasts more than 30 days, the loan becomes a disbursement and is taxed, plus additional penalties assessed (10 percent) by the Internal Revenue Service. Is this true? How can one prepare for a furlough that lasts longer than 30 days? A. I don’t know where you read this, but it’s not true. If you’re in nonpay status, you…
Q. I am a federal law enforcement officer. I recently read an article that discussed the downside of the Roth TSP for federal law enforcement officers and firefighters. Is this true? ************* Many of you are probably unaware of the serious pitfalls you will encounter if you opt to contribute to the Roth TSP. For a federal law enforcement officer or firefighter, the Roth TSP is a poor choice. It wasn’t until this week that a reader posed a question to me that caused me to realize what a bad idea the Roth TSP is for many of us. The idea behind…
Q. My husband is retired for seven years now and is 67 years old. So far, we haven’t needed to use this money. We are trying to keep our income below $70,000 per year to stay eligible for our state property tax freeze, which is a significant saving of $2,000 or more per year. 1. What percentage or dollar amount are we required to take out each year? 2. Did I read correctly on someone’s question that if we set up a 10-year timetable we do NOT have to pay taxes on that money? A. The required minimum distribution changes each year based…
Q. I have not worked since fall 2011. I’m on leave without pay with the Postal Service. Currently on disability retirement approved by Social Security and the Postal Service. The Office of Personnel Management has until November to finalize the disability retirement. On Sept. 23, I default on my Thrift Savings Plan personal loan ($5,300). I am entitled to agency retirement pay of $1,645 per month but cannot be paid until OPM acts. Social Security is roughly ¼ pay, and I cannot realistically pay the catch-up amount and the two monthly loan payments for at least two months. At that…
Q. I have a Thrift Savings Plan account as a CSRS retiree. I also turned 70½ this year and have non-Roth IRAs. Can I take a distribution from one of the IRAs that will satisfy the required minimum distribution calculation for my TSP account and all non-Roth IRAs? If so, would I still have to take a distribution from my TSP account just because I turned 70½? A. According to the Internal Revenue Service rules, you should be able to satisfy your entire RMD requirement using one or more withdrawals from any covered account or accounts. The TSP will automatically distribute its…
Q. I am expecting to receive a payment from a pension plan for which I am expecting to be charged the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. What is the best method to pay that penalty and avoid any additional penalties for not withholding sufficient taxes when I file my annual returns in April? Can I send the money to the Internal Revenue Service ahead of my regular tax filing? If so, what form do I use to remit it? A. This is a question for your tax preparer.
Q. I understand that the lump-sum payment for unused annual leave is treated as wage and salary income and is subject to federal and state (if any) income tax, FICA (Social Security) and Medicare taxes. How is it treated for Thrift Savings Plan purposes? Are individual and government matching contributions made? Can a retiring employee top up their contributions from the lump sum (up to the IRS-determined maximum)?
Q. I am a FERS employee with 29½ years of service. I am 54 years old. If they offer an early-out this year, could I take it without being penalized for the years before age 56? Would I be able to collect the special retirement supplement? Also, will I have a problem if I remove the money I have in my Thrift Savings Plan account? A. Mike: If you separate from service before the calendar year in which you’ll reach age 55, your TSP withdrawals may be subject to the IRS early withdrawal penalty, but otherwise, you’ll have access to…