Q. I have a Roth IRA and Roth TSP, and I am not eligible for catch-up contributions at this time due to my age. What is the maximum I can contribute to both for FY13? A. There is not a combined maximum, and the limits apply to calendar years, not fiscal years. The most that you can contribute to the Roth TSP for 2014 without catch-up is $17,500. The limit for Roth IRA contributions for 2014 is $5,500, but this might be reduced for you based on your tax filing status and income for the year. You should consult IRS…
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Q. I’m a little unclear on the Roth IRA vs. Roth TSP differences. I’ve been told that I can’t contribute to a Roth IRA since my adjusted gross income (married, filing jointly) is too high. Does that same rule apply to the Roth TSP? It seems to me, if I can go with the Roth TSP and max it out at the 2014 maximum of $17,500, I can also max out the Veterans Affairs Department contribution (which goes to my traditional TSP). A. The Roth IRA contribution limits do not apply to Roth TSP contributions. Separate and distinct rules apply…
Q. I have been using a Vanguard Roth IRA Target Fund for my retirement account. Now that I work for the federal government, I have a Thrift Savings Plan standard account and contribute the additional 5 percent to take full advantage of employee matching. I’m 37 and plan on working until at least 67. I believe my best bet is to just keep maxing out my Vanguard Roth IRA, taking full advantage of my employee matching and putting away anything extra I can into my Vanguard Roth IRA. Do you think that is my best bet, or should I stop…
Q. If my retirement date is in May, would I be allowed to contribute the maximum Thrift Savings Plan and catch-up amounts ($17,500 and $5,500) up to my retirement date in May and still receive matching up to 5 percent of basic pay. If not, what are the rules? A. You can contribute up to your entire paycheck and receive the automatic 1 percent agency contribution, but the matching contributions will be limited to 4 percent of your pay, each pay period.
Q. For the past five years, I’ve been contributing the maximum to the traditional Thrift Savings Plan (balance north of $127,000). In 2014, I plan to switch all contributions ($17,500) to Roth TSP. I have more than four years until military retirement (April 2018). At that time, will I be able to transfer all Roth TSP contributions to my Roth IRA? I have no plans of transferring the traditional TSP balance. The goal is to combine Roth TSP/Roth IRA contributions and pay cash for retirement home. We don’t want any debt, including mortgage upon retirement. A. You may not selectively…
Q. I am a federal worker who will turn 50 next year. I plan on putting in the maximum amount for contributions ($17,500) and catch-up contributions ($5,500). Thrift Savings Plan form instructions (TSP-1, TSP-U-1-C) require a whole dollar amount for contributions per paycheck, and we get paid every two weeks. $17,500/26 = $673.077. $673 x 26 = $17,498, which is two dollars short of the limit. The catch-up limit doesn’t kick in unless you reach $17,500, but there is no way to get there with the current set of instructions. What do you recommend? I don’t want any penalties if…
Q. I am really confused over the Roth IRA and Roth TSP. I have an individual Roth IRA through Vanguard. I have a Thrift Savings Plan account that I max every year, and because I’m over 50, I also max my TSP catch-up contribution. I’m thinking of changing the catch-up contribution from the regular TSP to the Roth TSP. If I contribute the max to a Roth TSP, can I still contribute the max to my Vanguard Roth IRA ($6,500 to Vanguard and $6,500 to Roth TSP for a total of $13,000). Or do I need to choose just one…
Q. I have reverted back to a more conservative Thrift Savings Plan allocation: 67 percent G Fund/33 percent C Fund. I put in the maximum, including the maximum catch-up and, with match, it’s nearly $30,000 per year. My balance at 60 when I retire in five years should be between $500,000 and $600,000 depending on the return. I am estimating a 4 percent return. I am wondering about keeping this asset allocation and taking monthly payments starting near 4 percent or slightly higher at age 60. Is a distribution with 70/30 as indicated above a bad idea? I like the conservative allocation and…
Q. Has the maximum contribution allowed for Thrift Savings Plan election and catch-up changed from 2013 to 2014? A. Not yet.
Q. I plan to retire Jan. 11, 2014. I would like to maximize my Thrift Savings Plan contribution. If my calendar is correct, Pay Period 1 of 2014 starts Dec. 16 and Pay Period 2 on Dec. 30. How much can I contribute in pay periods 1 and 2? My entire paycheck? More? How do I do that? A. You may contribute your entire paycheck until you reach the annual contribution limit. Submit forms TSP-1 and/or TSP-1-C to make your request.