Employer contributions on behalf of FERS employees and transfers into the TSP from other retirement accounts do not count against either limit. Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe IRS has raised the standard investment limit for the TSP and other 401(k) type retirement savings plans to $23,000 for 2024, from the current $22,500.
That “elective deferral limit” is the total investment allowed in traditional balances (pre-tax on investment, taxable on withdrawal), Roth balances (after-tax on investment, tax-free on withdrawal if certain conditions are met) or both, for those with both types of balance.
The separate “catch-up contribution” limit will remain $7,500 in 2024. That is an additional amount above the standard limit allowed for those who are age 50 or older in a year. For those eligible to make catch-up contributions, any investments beyond the standard limit “spill over”—they are automatically designated as catch-up contributions, up to that limit.
Employer contributions on behalf of FERS employees and transfers into the TSP of money from retirement savings programs of prior employers do not count against either limit.
TSP Catch-Up Contributions
Actively employed TSP participants age 50 and older can make TSP catch-up contributions of an amount ($7,500 in 2023) above the elective deferral limit amount ($22,500 in 2023). Catch-up investments can be made under either the traditional TSP design or under its Roth design or both, so long as the total amount invested is within the catch-up limit.
TSP Catch-Up Contributions Eligibility
To be eligible a participant must be in pay status (that is, not on leave without pay, retired or otherwise separated) and must be at least 50 years old by the end of the year.
No election is necessary; for those eligible to make catch-up contributions, any investments beyond the standard limit “spill over”—they are automatically designated as catch-up contributions, up to that limit.
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