Q. I retired from the Air Force in 2004 after 30 years of service. I was rehired into the civil service ranks in November 2004 and immediately started investing into the Thrift Savings Plan’s L2020 account. I just turned 58 and plan on retiring when I hit 60, maybe 62 if my health holds up. How long should I keep my investments in the L2020 account? As I get closer to retirement date, should I move it from L2020 to one of the individual funds? A. If you’re not sure about what to do, to support you goals with a…
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Q. I am 59 and am going to retire next year. I am in CSRS. I have a loan on my Thrift Savings Plan, which, if I retire next year, won’t be completely repaid. Do I have to repay it, since it’s my money and I can withdraw all of my money from TSP when I retire? A. No. If you don’t repay it, the outstanding balance will be declared a distribution and will be reported to you as taxable income. Since you are retiring after the year in which you reached age 55, there will be no early withdrawal…
Q. I am 55 years old and retiring from federal service in March. Once I retire, can I withdraw all the funds in my Thrift Savings Plan account? If so, will I have to pay a penalty for early withdrawal of my TSP account? A. You may withdraw your TSP assets after you retire. If you retire during or after the calendar year in which you reach age 55, your TSP withdrawals will be exempt from the early withdrawal penalty.
Q. I am in under FERS. If I retire after 30 years of federal service at age 58, can I start withdrawing my Thrift Savings Plan, or do I have to wait until I am 59½? I do not have any part of the TSP as a Roth. A. Under the circumstances you describe, you may begin withdrawals without penalty.
Q. I’m retiring from the military at age 52 after 30 years of service. As I understand things, I can’t withdraw my Thrift Savings Plan funds without a penalty until age 59½ (except as an annuity or equal payments based on life expectancy). What if I go to work for the government as a civilian until age 55? Then, could I withdraw the whole amount without penalty? Is there a certain length of time I must spend as a civilian federal worker? What if I only worked for the government for three months during the year I turned 55? Is that…
Q. I am going to retire with 25 years covered law enforcement. Is there a penalty for withdrawing from the Thrift Savings Plan if I have not yet reached age 55? I heard as long as you are in a covered law enforcement position, there is not penalty? A. What you’ve heard is wrong. If you separate from federal service before the calendar year in which you reach age 55, you will be subject to the early withdrawal penalty. There are ways around the penalty, however, and they are described on Page 7 of this notice: https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tsp-536.pdf.
Q. I have the same question as I found on your site: “Q. I would like to take a portion of my Thrift Savings Plan balance and transfer it to a self-directed IRA. What is the process for doing that? What are the estimated costs and penalties? A: In your circumstances — actively employed and younger than 59½ — the TSP won’t allow this.” But I am 61 years old and in civil service for 34 years. You imply in the above answer that over 59½ might be OK. Do you recommend this, or can there be possible problems? A. You could…
Q. My understanding is if I withdraw using a loan from my Thrift Savings Plan (say a residential loan) shortly before I retire and under 59½ years old, and then I retire or turn 59½, I get a 10 percent tax penalty because the loan was taken when I wasn’t eligible for a withdrawal without penalty. It seems a little contradictory because I could pay off the outstanding amount and then take an unpenalized withdrawal after retirement or 59½. Am I reading this rule correctly? A. No. If your unrepaid loan balance is declared a taxable distribution, it is counted as…
Q. I have five years at the Veterans Affairs Department and 4½ years at the Transportation Security Administration and am about to be suspended/terminated (FERS). Being non-military, can I leave my Thrift Savings Plan and FERS with the government without penalty or roll over to Vanguard since I am not 56? I have more work time in the private sector than with the government. A. You may maintain and manage your TSP account for as long as you live. You may also roll your TSP money over to an IRA and close your account after you separate, without penalty, regardless…
Q. Can I continue to make biweekly contributions to my Thrift Savings Plan account if I make a partial withdrawal from my account? I am 60 years old. Also, can I withdraw these funds at any time or at a certain time of year? A. Yes, and you may request your age-based in-service withdrawal at any time.