Uncategorized

Much improved from just a couple of years ago, a wealth of information can be found on TSP.gov under the “quick links” section lower left on the TSP homepage.
When you select “contribution limits” in the “quick links” section, you will find the current year’s contribution limits along with additional explanatory information. Here you will find the elective deferral limit and the catch-up contribution limit. You will also find these limits listed if you click on “loan and annuity rates”.

As of August 1, 2017:

  • Loan interest rate for new loans is 2.250%.
  • Elective Deferral Limit for 2016 and 2017 is $18,000.
  • I.R.C. Section 415(c) Limit: $53,000 for 2016 and $54,000 for 2017.
  • Catch-Up Contributions limit for 2016 and 2017 is $6,000.
  • Annuity interest rate index: 2.250% for annuities purchased in August 2017 and 2.250% for annuities purchased in July 2017
  • Loan rates (based on the G Fund) and TSP annuity rates (based on a moving average of ten year Treasuries) are also updated on a monthly basis in this section.

In mid-October or early November, expect to see the 2018 updates to both the elective deferral amount and the amount that can be contributed as a catch-up contribution.
Still in the “quick links” section is a link to “Forms and Publications”. You can browse by topic or by whether the form you seek is for civilian participants or uniformed services participants.

Also worth checking out is a summary document with some very helpful background information on the TSP, features, benefits, and generally how it works. Starting from the homepage, go to Forms and Publications > General Information > Publications > Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan. This 36-page publication is excellent and worth actually printing out as a reference, covering the TSP, features, benefits, and generally how it works.