Q. I am covered under CSRS. Can I still open an external Roth account and contribute the $6,000 maximum (plus catch-up)? If so, how would contributing to the Roth TSP interact with contributing to the external Roth?
A. The limits for the two are separate, but your eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA depends upon your tax return for the year. If your income is too high, your Roth IRA contribution eligibility will be phased out. There’s a worksheet in IRS Publication 590 that will help you determine your eligibility.