Q. For tax purposes, is it better to take a monthly payment which will result in depletion in less than 10 years, or make it go longer than 10 years? Say, an amount of $250,000. A. It’s impossible to say, for sure. The best you can do is make some assumptions about the variables involved and run pro-forma tax returns for the next 10+ years. It might be a good idea to just take what you’ll need.
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Q. I’m 60 years old and receiving a full Thrift Savings Plan annuity at set monthly payments. For 2013, I want to increase the payments using Form TSP 73 to cover anticipated expenses for a family wedding. The following year, I want to again submit TSP 73 to significantly lower my payment for 2014, as I will have some anticipated income and won’t need the extra money. Other than the $50 minimal monthly withdrawal amount, are there any dollar restrictions in setting the monthly withdrawal amounts year to year? A. Just to be clear, you are receiving automatic monthly payments from your…
Q. I am a FERS retiree who must begin taking my required minimum distribution in 2013. I am contemplating receiving monthly payments based on my expected life expectancy, but I need to know whether an initial decision to do so locks me forever, or whether, say in 2014 or 2015, I can change to monthly withdrawals based on an amount set annually. If the Thrift Savings Plan allows the later switch, are there barriers to my later going back to monthly payments based on life expectancy? A. You may change from life-expectancy payments to fixed-dollar payments one time only. You may…
Q. I will be starting monthly payments from my Thrift Savings Plan account. I’m confused as to this making your payments last for 10 years. Is this really putting me into a better tax situation? You must pay on your taxes at the end of the year. I spoke to someone at TSP, and she was explaining that it is to my benefit. If your payments last 10 years or longer, they only tax you as though you’re married with three dependents. If it’s not lasting for 10 years, they take out 20 percent every month. Isn’t this a wash…
Q. I retired as a CSRS employee after 31 years of service. I will be 70½ in June and, as I understand, I will have to begin taking out from my Thrift Savings Plan account then. If I am reading the information correctly, I have until April 2013 to do this. If so, when is the deadline for me to send in my request for withdrawals? Also, I have checked the TSP forms on the website but could not determine the appropriate one to use. I am planning to take out my TSP savings in monthly withdrawals. A. Your first required…
Q. Will the Thrift Savings Plan automatically withhold money toward my federal and state taxes each month if I choose monthly withdrawals at retirement? A. Federal withholding; yes. State withholding; no. See the table on Page 2 of the notice at https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tsp-536.pdf for details.
Q: I’m planning to retire this calendar year and want to leave my Thrift Savings Plan as is. Will I be able to take TSP distributions at will, or am I only allowed to take a one-time distribution (roll-over)? A: You’re only allowed to take a partial distribution one time. You may also elect a full distribution in the form of adjustable monthly payments and a final single payment, however. — Mike Miles