Q. I am retired and turn 70 this month. Even though I do not want to begin distribution of my Thrift Savings Plan investment, I understand that by law I must select a required minimum distribution program. My dependent spouse is 76 and also retired. I am healthy and, with my family genetics, could expect to live to age 100. I do not need the TSP to live on and want to maintain it in the TSP investment form for as long as possible. Under these circumstances, what is the best RMD to select: a life annuity or a TSP monthly payment? Should it be…
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Q. I am almost 58 years old and retired from military/federal service after my 55th birthday. I would like to withdraw my Thrift Savings Plan now, in a lump sum. How much will I have to pay in penalties and taxes? A. You’ll be subject to 20 percent backup federal withholding, no early withdrawal penalty, and your tax liability will be determined when you file your tax return for the year of the withdrawal. The money you withdraw will be taxed as ordinary income, and the rate will depend upon your particulars.
Q. I am a FERS retiree. I was told before retirement to put all my Thrift Savings Plan into the G Fund before and during retirement. Is this sound advice? I was thinking of putting a small percentage also into the C Fund. What are your thoughts on this matter? A. It’s a bad idea if the G Fund’s expected rate of return is not sufficient to support your financial goals. Otherwise, it would be lowest-risk way to get where you want to go.
Q. I’m 53 years old and plan to retire in 10 years. My current Thrift Savings Plan balance is $131,000, and I’m 100 percent allocated into the L2040 fund. I’m very aggressive in my investing. Should I allocate my TSP 60 percent C Fund, 20 percent S Fund and 20 percent I Fund instead of the L 2040 fund, which allocates in all of the funds to include the G and F funds? A. You’re the investment manager, so you’ll need to use your process for determining the correct allocation of your TSP funds. If I were responsible for the…
Q. I have been a CSRS retiree since Jan. 3, 2002. I turned 69 on July 14. What should I do with my Thrift Savings Plan funds at my age? What are my options? A. You may invest your TSP money in any of the available investment funds or use the money to buy a life annuity. The investing option allows you to retain control of the principal but bring with it the risk of loss. The annuity will guarantee income for life, but you’ll give up the principal. You’ll have to determine which is appropriate for your particular situation. There is…
Q. I retired from the Postal Service on Jan. 31 with a Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay of $15,000. The VSIP was paid out as $10,000 this year and $5,000 in 2014. I know I can contribute to an IRA for 2013 since I had earned income during the month of January. Now that I’m retired, will I still be able to contribute to an IRA in 2014 because of the $5,000 in “income” that I’ll receive from the Postal Service? A. A VSIP is not considered a basis for contribution to an IRA.
Q. Why do the Thrift Savings Plan publications say age 59½ is the earliest someone can receive TSP monies without a penalty, yet I read in your responses to questions that as long as someone retires in the year in which they reach 55 or later, there’s no penalty? I heard someone else at work yesterday who plans on retiring under MRA+10 saying he has to wait until 59½ so he won’t incur a penalty. Why are there two different prevailing understandings? A. The standard rule applies the early withdrawal penalty to those who have not yet reached age 59½. There…
Q. I am a former employee that left employment with the federal government three years ago. I was under the old CSRS Offset system (23 years). I am 59 years old. It is my understanding that I can apply for my retirement at age 62. How do I go about doing that? Do I contact the Office of Personnel Management in Boyers, Pa.? Also, what forms do I need to complete? Is it possible to receive my retirement sooner than age 62? Do you have contact information for the OPM office? I also participated in FERS (Thrift Savings Plan only, no match).…
Q. I recently retired but will not be withdrawing any of my Thrift Savings Plan for a few years. I’ve considered rolling over my balance to USAA because of the possibility of a government default. Is that advisable? In the case of a government default, will my TSP balance be safe? A. I wouldn’t do it if I were in your shoes. I’m not sure how the debt ceiling uniquely threatens your TSP account.
Q. I worked in the Veterans Affairs Department (CSRS) from 1981 until 1985 and then left federal service and withdrew my retirement. I re-entered federal service in 2007 (CSRS Offset) and have enough money in my Thrift Savings Plan to pay the redeposit for my time from 1981 until 1985. Can I switch over the tax-deferred TSP funds to CSRS without having to pay taxes on the transfer? I know I can make an age-based (age 67) in-service withdrawal into a qualified trust or an eligible retirement plan (as defined in IRC 402 (c) (8)). Is CSRS considered an “eligible…