Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Developed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Food Safety and Inspection Service Human Resources Minneapolis, MN April 2007


Thrift Savings PlanThe Magic of Compounding: Thrift Savings Plan The Magic of Compounding Mary: Saves $2,000 per year, for her first 8 years of work, then stops saving for the next 32 years. Mary’s total contributions: $16,000. Mike: Does not save for the first 8 years of work, then starts saving $2,000 per year in year 9, and for the next 32 years. Mike’s total contributions: $64,000. Assume an interest rate of 10% each year for 40 years.


Thrift Savings PlanThe Magic of Compounding: Thrift Savings Plan The Magic of Compounding


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Contribution Rules: FERS employees may contribute: Up to the maximum IRS annual limit. FERS employees receive Agency Automatic 1% contributions whether they contribute or not. FERS employees receive Agency Matching contributions on up to 5% of employee contributions.


Thrift Savings Plan : Thrift Savings Plan TSP Contribution Rules: CSRS and CSRS-Offset employees may contribute: Up to the maximum IRS annual limit. CSRS and CSRS-Offset employees receive no government matching contributions.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Tax Benefits: Your TSP contributions are taken from your salary before taxes are withheld, so your taxable income is lower. You pay less Federal tax now. This also applies to most State taxes. Taxes on your TSP contributions and their earnings are deferred until you withdraw the money from your account, usually when you are retired and in a lower tax bracket.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Contributions can be started, changed, or stopped at any time. HOW? Use the NFC Employee Personal Page or submit a TSP-1 form to Human Resources.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Transfer Money into your TSP Account You can transfer or roll over money from a traditional IRA or an eligible employer plan into your TSP account. Transfers must be before-tax money. See form TSP-60 for more information.


TSP Catch-Up Contributions: TSP Catch-Up Contributions Eligibility Must be age 50 or older by December 31 in the year the contributions are made Must be in pay status Must be contributing the maximum TSP amount which will result in reaching the IRS elective deferral limit. Catch-Up contributions: Are in addition to employee’s regular contributions Do not count against the IRS elective deferral limit.


TSP Catch-Up Contributions: TSP Catch-Up Contributions Elections: Use TSP-1-C to make or change your election (send to Human Resources) or use NFC Employee Personal Page. Elections are made in whole dollar amounts. Make a new election each year. Contributions stop pay period 24, or earlier, if maximum is reached.


TSP Catch-Up Contributions: TSP Catch-Up Contributions Terminations: If you stop your regular contribution, your catch-up contributions stop. If you receive a financial hardship in-service withdrawal, your regular and catch-up contributions stop. Catch-Up contribution automatically terminates with the last pay date of the year to which the contribution applies (usually pp 24).


Thrift Savings Plan Investment Funds: Thrift Savings Plan Investment Funds TSP Funds G Fund – Government Securities Investment Fund Short-term US Treasury securities specially issued to the TSP. F Fund – Fixed Income Index Investment Fund A broad index representing the US bond market. C Fund – Common Stock Index Investment Fund A broad index of stocks of 500 medium to large-size companies. S Fund – Small Capitalization Stock Index Fund A broad index of stocks of small to medium-size companies. I Fund – International Stock Index Investment Fund A broad international market index


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Managing your TSP: If you choose to manage your investments, please consider the following: Determine your time horizon. Consider both risk and return. Be comfortable with the risk you take. Diversify to reduce risk. Periodically review your investment choices.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Funds L Fund – “Lifecycle” Funds Divides investments into TSP’s five existing funds to create a target portfolio depending on the individual’s expected date for withdrawing the money.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Funds L Fund – “Lifecycle” Funds L 2040 – 2035 and later L 2030 – 2025 through 2034 L 2020 – 2015 through 2024 L 2010 – 2008 through 2014 L Income – Currently (or before 2008) withdrawing your account


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Funds L Fund – “Lifecycle” Funds TSP will rebalance each L Fund automatically - generally each business day – to adjust the mix as a result of price changes in the underlying funds. Each quarter, TSP will shift investments in each L Fund to a slightly more conservative mix. Experts will periodically review investment mixes of each L Fund to be sure they are still appropriate.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Fund Allocations Choose how contributions are distributed from payroll to investment funds. To allocate funds, must have SSN and TSP PIN: Use web site www.tsp.gov or Use Thrift line (877) 968-3778


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan Interfund Transfers Transfer money already invested between funds. Must have SSN and TSP PIN: Use Thrift line (877) 968-3778 Use web site www.tsp.gov


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP In-Service Withdrawals You may withdraw your TSP funds while employed by the Federal government for: Age (Age 59 ½ or older) – one time only Financial hardship (proof required) Permanently depletes your TSP account, and you cannot repay this money to TSP. Apply directly to TSP.


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Withdrawal Options Leave the money invested in your TSP account. Roll your account to an IRA or other eligible plan. Make a Partial Withdrawal of $1000 or more. Make a Full Withdrawal Make a Mixed Withdrawal (combination of above options)


Thrift Savings Plan: Thrift Savings Plan TSP Withdrawal Options You must withdraw your TSP account by April 1 of the year following the year you become age 70 ½. TSP payments are taxable as income in the year in which the payments are made. 20% Federal tax withholding 10% penalty if you leave government before age 55 and withdraw account before age 59 1/2 No penalty if you leave during or after the year you reach age 55 and withdraw account before age 59 1/2


Thrift Savings Plan Resources: Thrift Savings Plan Resources TSP Website – www.tsp.gov for current information on all aspects of TSP Publications and forms Personal account access Make fund allocations and inter fund transfers TSP calculators Thrift line – (877) 968-3778 Personal account access Make fund allocations and inter fund transfers Current rates of return General Information TSP Participant Statement and TSP Highlights – issued quarterly


Financial Planning: Financial Planning U.S. has lowest national savings rate in the industrialized world Many Americans are not saving adequately for retirement-unprepared for unexpected life events such as medical emergencies Increasing concern over public programs such as Social Security and Medicare hasn’t changed American saving habits Despite publicity, programs, and legislation, most Americans do not think financial literacy is a critical issue


Financial Planning: Financial Planning The Office of Personnel Management is required to: Develop and implement retirement financial literacy and education strategy for Federal Employees Educate Federal Employees on the need for retirement savings and investment Provide information on how to plan for retirement and how to calculate retirement investment needed to meet retirement goals


Financial Planning: Financial Planning YOU are responsible for your own retirement planning. YOU are responsible for your own financial success. It is YOUR responsibility to gather information, make decisions, and plan for the best outcome!


Financial Planning Tools: Financial Planning Tools A good place to start is: http://www.mymoney.gov American Savings Education Council – includes Ballpark estimate and over 100 financial planning calculators – www.asec.org The US Securities and Exchange Commission – how to invest wisely and avoid fraud - http://www.sec.gov/investor.shtml The Investor’s Clearinghouse - educates investors -http://www.investoreducation.org/ Savings Bonds – http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/sav.htm


Thank you for your attention!: Thank you for your attention! Contact your servicing Human Resources Benefits Specialist if you have any questions about retirement or your other Federal benefits!