The Thrift Savings Plan offers you two ways to save for retirement. You may elect to defer your federal pay into a traditional account, before state and federal income taxes are deducted, or you may defer your pay, after taxes, into a Roth account. You may use one, the other or both options, and start or stop either or both types of contributions when you like. Based on the questions I receive from Federal Times readers through the “Ask the Experts” forum online, the “pay now and not later” approach offered by the Roth account is inherently appealing to many…
Browsing: Roth IRA
Q. I have read conflicting information concerning VCP to ROTH conversion and the five-year rule. Based on this information, there may be a difference between the funds converted and the interest income generated in the ROTH account. Can you explain how the five-year rule applies in each case? A. The five-year waiting period for the converted funds and the interest they produce will begin on Jan. 1 of the year of the conversion. Check page 71 of IRS Publication 590 for an explanation of the rules. You should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding the rules and how they apply…
Q. My husband and I are looking at investing into a new hotel being built. I have worked in the hotel industry for 15 years, and this is a great opportunity for us. He has been active duty in the Air Force since 2011 and has roughly $20,000 in his TSP. Can he transfer his TSP balance to a Self Direct IRA to invest the money into the hotel deal? Are there penalties involved? He would continue his normal contributions to the TSP account as we move forward, but we are interested in using the $20,000 to invest in the…
Q. I am going to retire soon and plan to roll over my voluntary contributions to an existing Roth IRA. Can the voluntary contributions be rolled over to a TSP Roth account instead? A. No.
Q. I’m 23 and recently began my FERS career with the government this past May. I contribute 5 percent of my income and plan on increasing the amount by 1 percent every year and 2 percent every GS level increase. What would be the best spread across the five basic funds for someone willing to work 40+ years in government service with a moderate amount of risk? Additionally, is there a limit where increasing the percentage beyond a certain point (besides the $52,000 yearly max) begins to yield diminishing returns when compared to other investment methods? Finally are there any…
Q. I’ll retire under FERS at the end of this year. Will the lump-sum payment for annual leave that I’ll receive early in 2015 would be considered earned income for the purposes of being able to contribute to my non-TSP Roth IRA? A. No.
Q. I want to pay off a few student loans before I retire from the military. I want to use my TSP to do so. Should I convert my TSP to a Roth IRA so I can avoid the heavy withdrawal fees? A. There are no fees for withdrawing money from the TSP. All withdrawals from the TSP (except contributions you made from tax-free combat pay) will be subject to income taxation and, unless you qualify for one of the exceptions listed on Page 7 of the notice at https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tsp-536.pdf, any withdrawal you take before reaching age 59-1/2 will be…
Q. If I were to retire Dec. 31, can the payments actually received in 2015, such as my last paycheck earned in 2014, payment for unused annual leave and buyout, if any, be used to fund a 2015 ROTH IRA? A. Paychecks constructively received in 2015 can be used as the basis for an IRA contribution to the extent that the income is earned income for this purpose. You annual leave payout is not considered earned income for this, however, and can’t serve as the basis for IRA contributions.
Q. Can you roll an existing Roth IRA into you Roth TSP fund? A. No.
Q. Can you roll an existing Roth IRA into your Roth TSP fund? A. No.