Browsing: Postal Service

Q. I have elected to switch to CSRS under FERCCA. I understand I will be given the option of the refund of my portion of Thrift Savings Plan contributions. When I left the Postal Service after my first seven years in the 1980s, I withdrew my CSRS money. If I take the refund of my portion of TSP deposit over the CSRS maximum contribution, can I pay back the withdrawn CSRS money without tax implications? A. The refund of your TSP contributions will be taxable, since you never paid taxes on the money when you earned it. You may then…

Q. I am 47 years old and worked for the post office for three years. During that time, I bought back my military service time of eight years. Am I eligible to someday get that retirement for the 11 years? If not, will I be reimbursed what it cost to buy back my time? Is the Thrift Savings Plan a separate entity, and when can I start receiving that? I’m currently working away from the federal realm. A. Mike: The TSP is yours to maintain and manage for as long as you like. You may withdraw money from it whenever…

Q. I will be taking the early-out offered by the Postal Service. I am a 54-year-old CSRS employee of 35 years. I have a Thrift Savings Plan account. Please give your opinion on the best option such as taking the MetLife annuity, joint with spouse, level or increasing, cash refund compared with simply leaving the money in TSP and getting monthly payments either by specific amounts or increasing by life expectancy. I don’t quite understand the difference in the two options. A. There is no “best” choice. Using your money buy an immediate annuity guarantees income for life. You give…

Q. I’ve been retired from the post office for a couple of years now and have left all of what’s in my Thrift Savings Plan account in the G Fund. I won’t be forced to take the required minimum distribution until about six years from now. Since I’m not an expert at investing in all of the different funds, I was wondering: Would it be a good idea to transfer my money into one of the L Funds until I have to start taking withdrawals? A. Yes.

Q. I’m a Postal Service employee who is very close to his retirement date. I was told that withdrawing 4 percent of my Thrift Savings Plan savings per year would last for a lifetime? Is this true? What if I die two years after I begin to draw and my benefits are left for my daughter who is only 38 now? Will she receive the money for a lifetime also? Or will she be paid only the balance? A. You can’t be sure that a 4 percent annual withdrawal rate will be safe. It depends upon a number of factors, including…

Q. I am going on 72, working for the Postal Service, contributing to the Thrift Savings Plan and paying off a loan. Do I have to start the age-based withdrawal? If I do, how do I contribute and withdraw at the same time? My health is good, and I don’t feel like quitting at this time. A. You don’t have begin taking Required Minimum Distributions from your TSP account until after you’ve retired.

Q. I am a FERS employee with the Postal Service and will have 30 years of service at age 57. Can I withdraw from my Thrift Savings Plan without penalty if I have reached my minimum retirement age? A. Your MRA has no effect on TSP withdrawal penalties. After you retire, you’ll have access to your TSP account without penalty. While you’re still working, you’ll have to wait until you reach age 59½ to avoid the penalty.

Q. I will retire from the Postal Service this summer. Can I change my contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan to several thousand dollars on my terminal leave check to allow me to not pay taxes and increase my TSP account balance? Congress has not yet finalized this proposal. A. No.

Q. I am a 55-year-old postal worker of 27 years who has a work-related medical problem. Last year, I was let go on “no work available status” and have been on workers’ compensation since. I have applied for postal disability and am waiting to see what happens with that. So far, I’ve received no letter of separation nor postal job offer. Will I be able to access my Thrift Savings Plan without penalty if I become separated from the Postal Service and am granted disability retirement? A. The answer depends upon your specific circumstances. If you separate from service during the…

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