These gold IRA articles go further than the category pages, working through the mechanics of a single decision at length. Every one carries at least 2 primary sources and the date it was last checked, and the build refuses an article that has neither, which is a lower bar than it sounds and higher than most of this category clears.
- The Blended Retirement System explained BRS pays a 5% TSP match, continuation pay of at least 2.5 months basic pay at 7 to 12 years, and a lump sum election that sells indexed pension at a discount.
- FERS retirement: the pension, the TSP and Social Security The FERS pension is 1% of high-3 per year of service, or 1.1% at 62 with 20 years. What each of the 3 legs delivers, and which one you can actually move.
- Military retirement: what BRS traded away for the TSP match Military retirement pays 2.5% of high-3 per year under the legacy system and 2% under BRS. What that 10-point gap at 20 years is worth, and what replaces it.
- TSP annuity or rollover: which one fits a federal retiree The TSP annuity charges no commission and cannot be cancelled. Why the case for buying one is weaker for a federal retiree than for almost anybody else.
- TSP early withdrawal: what $50,000 actually costs you A 20% withholding, ordinary income tax and a 10% additional tax. Why the amount that lands in your account is not the amount you get to keep.
- TSP loan rules: limits, rates and the default clock TSP loans run $1,000 to $50,000 at the G Fund rate, from your own contributions only. The repayment terms, the default clock, and what separation does to one.
- TSP rollover options at separation: all four, honestly A TSP rollover is 1 of 4 options at separation, alongside leaving it, installments and the annuity. What each costs, and which ones close doors permanently.
- TSP rules: vesting, Roth, and your spouse's legal rights Vesting, Roth against traditional, and the spousal rights that mean a married federal employee cannot move a TSP balance without their spouse signing for it.
- TSP to gold IRA: what is and is not allowed A TSP can be rolled into a self-directed IRA holding metal. What section 408(m) actually says about which coins and bullion qualify, and who has to hold them.
- Thrift Savings Plan withdrawal rules: every age threshold The age 59 1/2 default, the age 55 separation exception, the age 50 public safety carve-out, and the retroactive penalty hiding in life expectancy installments.
- Who owns the TSP, and who actually manages the money Statute requires the fund be held solely in participants' interest. The government-controls-your-TSP claim is wrong about 4 funds and half-right about 1.
- Gold during a recession: what happened in all 8 since 1969 Gold rose in 6 of the 8 US recessions since 1969, with a median move of 6.8%. Both of the losses came in downturns the S&P 500 finished higher.