Brad Bobb CFP® | May 11, 2023
The rule of 55 is a great feature of your Thrift Savings Plan that helps early retirees. This IRS rule means that those who leave service in the year they turn age 55 or later can take TSP withdrawals without penalty.
I have seen two common misconceptions about how this rule works.
Misconception #1 - You must meet FERS retirement requirements.
This is not correct. Anyone leaving service in the year they turn 55 has access to their TSP without penalty. There is no requirement for years of service that needs to be met.
Misconception #2 – I will have access to my IRA at age 55.
This is inaccurate as well. Access to IRAs begins at age 59.5. The only way to access your IRA before that age is to set up 72t payments. This option means that you withdraw funds from your IRA based on one of the methods the IRS allows, and you must take the same payment out for a time period of at least five years or until age 59.5, whichever is later. It would be advisable not to do 72t payments if you don’t have to because of a lack of flexibility.
Law enforcement and Special Category Employees (SCEs) are different.
In the past, public safety employees (SCEs) have been able to access their TSPs if they separated from service in the year they turn age 50. However, in December of 2022 the rules were amended to include “age 50 or 25 years of service under the plan, whichever is earlier.” With this change, federal SCEs can now access their TSP prior to age 50 if they separate after 25 years of service.
Practical Application
The key takeaway for federal employees is to be very careful when transferring funds from TSP. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do a transfer (TSP has its issues) – many retirees choose to move their TSP to an IRA once they retire – but moving all of your TSP would be a mistake if you want access to your funds.
Instead, consider how much you expect to withdraw prior to age 59.5 and leave at least that amount in TSP. I would even recommend leaving an extra 10% to provide yourself with a buffer. You can also transfer funds back into your TSP as long as you keep it open.
And if you are a federal LEO and you retire at age 47 with 25 years of service and move on to a 2nd career, you still have penalty-free access to TSP.
If you would like help with your federal retirement planning from a fee only advisor, you are welcome to schedule an initial call.
Brad Bobb, CFP® is the owner of Bobb Financial Inc, and an expert in retirement planning for federal employees.
It sounds like Brad Bobb, a Certified Financial Planner, is shedding light on the Rule of 55 within the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for early retirees. Let's break down the concepts highlighted in his article:
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Rule of 55: This IRS rule allows individuals who leave service in the year they turn 55 or older to withdraw from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without penalty.
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Misconception #1 - FERS Retirement Requirements: Contrary to belief, there's no FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) requirement for accessing TSP at 55. Leaving service in the year one turns 55 is the key.
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Misconception #2 - Access to IRA at Age 55: Access to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) typically starts at age 59.5. Early access might be available through 72t payments, a method allowing withdrawals based on IRS-approved calculations before reaching the standard age.
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Special Category Employees (SCEs): Law enforcement and certain public safety employees, previously able to access their TSP at age 50, now have the option to do so after 25 years of service, regardless of age, following the 2022 rule amendment.
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Practical Application for Federal Employees: When transferring TSP funds, careful consideration is necessary. While moving funds to an IRA is common post-retirement, keeping some TSP funds available before age 59.5 is advised for penalty-free access. Leaving around 10% as a buffer is a prudent strategy.
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Federal LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers): Even if retiring early, federal LEOs with 25 years of service can access their TSP penalty-free.
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Consideration for Financial Planning: Brad Bobb offers fee-only advisor services specializing in retirement planning for federal employees, providing guidance on navigating these intricate financial aspects.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for federal employees, especially those considering early retirement or intending to access retirement funds before the standard age. Brad Bobb's expertise lies in this specialized field, aiding individuals in making informed decisions regarding their retirement planning within the federal system.
