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Pay & Benefits

Pay and Benefits Watch: Get ready for TSP changes

Pay and Benefits Watch: Get ready for TSP changes

Brian Friel

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Brian Friel
Brian Friel
letters@govexec.com

The government will use IBM's largest capacity server for managing the Thrift Savings Plan, IBM announced this week.

It's no wonder the Agriculture Department's National Finance Center, which oversees the TSP's computer systems, has asked IBM for one of its biggest computers: There is now close to $100 billion worth of federal employees' and retirees' money in the TSP.

The new mega-computer will start housing TSP records in May. Another IBM computer will handle the new Web-based services that will become available to TSP participants. Using the Web, TSP participants will now be able to check their funds' balances on a daily basis.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Savings Board, which manages the TSP, recently released the following list of changes federal employees can expect when the new computer system comes online in May.

How the TSP is Changing

NOW MAY 2000
In General
The TSP is a monthly valued plan. Transactions are processed once a month. The TSP will be a daily valued plan. Transactions will be processed each business day.
Account balances and transactions are processed and shown in dollar amounts. Account balances and transactions will be processed and shown in dollar amounts, shares, and share prices.
The TSP has three investment funds: the Government Securities Investment (G) Fund, the Fixed Income Index Investment (F) Fund, and the Common Stock Index Investment (C) Fund. The TSP will have five investment funds: In addition to the G, F, and C Funds, there will be the Small Capitalization Index Investment (S) Fund and the International Stock Index Investment (I) Fund.
Allocations of future payroll contributions are processed through agency personnel offices during a TSP Open Season. You will be able to allocate future contributions at any time by using the ThriftLine or the TSP Web site, or by submitting Form TSP-50 directly to the TSP record keeper.
Married FERS participants must obtain their spouses' waiver or consent for all withdrawal requests except the prescribed TSP annuity. For any withdrawal requiring a spouse's waiver or consent, a FERS participant must have his or her spouse's signature notarized.
TSP Open Season dates are May 15 - July 31 and November 15 - January 31. TSP Open Season dates will be April 15 - June 30 and October 15 - December 31.
The TSP issues Participant Statements twice a year, for the periods ending April 30 and October 31. The TSP will issue quarterly statements for the periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
The TSP Service Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., central time. The TSP Service Office hours will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., central time.
Loans and Withdrawals
If you have a loan, you receive quarterly Loan Statements. Loan information will be on your Participant Statements.
You can reamortize your loan only once. You can reamortize your loan more than once.
You can repay a TSP loan at any time, but only in full. You can repay all or part of a TSP loan at any time.
Only monthly withdrawal payments can be electronically deposited to your checking or savings account. All of your loan or withdrawal payments (except transfers) can be electronically deposited into your checking or savings account.
Financial hardship in-service withdrawals are subject to mandatory 20 percent federal income tax withholding. You can transfer a financial hardship in-service withdrawal to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan. Financial hardship in-service withdrawals will no longer be subject to mandatory withholding. You cannot transfer a financial hardship in-service withdrawal to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan.
After you leave federal service, if you request a withdrawal, it must be for your entire TSP account balance. After you leave federal service, you may also be able to make a one-time partial withdrawal (if you had not taken an age-based in-service withdrawal).
You can make a post-employment withdrawal as either a single payment, monthly payments, or a life annuity. The withdrawal payment(s) may begin at a specified future date. You can use any combination of these same options to make a post-employment full withdrawal. Your payment(s) will begin as soon as you make the full withdrawal.
After you leave federal service, you will receive an automatic cashout if your account balance is $3,500 or less, unless you choose another withdrawal option. After you leave federal service, you will receive an automatic cashout if your account balance is less than $200. Other withdrawal options will not be available.
Web Site and ThriftLine
The TSP Web site and ThriftLine provide general Plan information, and allow participants to make an interfund transfer, change (or request) a PIN, check the status of a loan or withdrawal request, and determine their current account balance and the amount available for a loan. On the Web site, you can also download TSP forms and materials and use interactive calculators to project a future account balance or estimate annuity payments. On the TSP Web site and the ThriftLine, you will also be able to allocate future contributions, check the status of an outstanding loan, obtain a loan prepayment amount, and begin (and in some cases, complete) a loan request. On the Web site, you can also begin (and in some cases, complete) a withdrawal request, check (and if you are separated from service, update) your name and address, and reamortize a loan. On the ThriftLine, you will be able to request that certain TSP materials be mailed or faxed to you.
If you need assistance while using the ThriftLine, you must call the TSP Service Office at a different number. You will be able to opt out of the automated ThriftLine at any time to speak to a customer service representative during normal business hours.

NEXT STORY: Pay and Benefits Watch: Bitter about retirement

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