- Federal Employee's Retirement Planning Guide - https://fedretire.net -

Retirement Precautions, TSP Changes, Updates, and Retiree Jobs

Share [1]

Recently OPM clarified a number of issues around interim annuity payments and what retirees can expect when they first leave federal service.  It is essential that federal employees have sufficient cash available and are financially prepared [2] when retiring to allow OPM to complete a final adjudication of their claim.

OPM is now processing applicants in an average of 133 days however they can take up to a year to process a retirement application if information is missing or problems are encountered.  Last year OPM processed over 100,000 retirements, a significant increase over the previous year. The Federal Times reported that “retirement applications saw an unexpected spike in October. That month’s 11,411 applications were 42 percent higher than October 2010, and 60 percent higher than October 2009.”  With the possibility of many agencies offering VERAs and VSIPs [3] in 2012 the delays can only get worse.

Many are receiving interim payments for far less than they anticipated due to a number of issues.  OPM indicates that annuitants will receive approximately 90% of their expected NET monthly payment, less federal income tax withholdings.  NET payments equal what is remaining after deducting health care and life insurance premiums from the gross amount.  I received an interim payment of 70% and my claim was processed in 90 days when I retired.  Some have reported receiving as much as 50% less due to extenuating circumstances and the problems still not resolved a year after they retired.

FERS retirees need to be aware of the fact that OPM doesn’t include the FERS Supplement [4] in the interim payment because they don’t have the data available until the retirement is completely processed.  OPM reported that a number of factors cause reduced interim payments or prevent OPM from initiating interim payments. These factors include:

Don’t be left in a lurch when you leave. Check out my article titled “Can You Survive on Interim Retirement Checks” [10] to avoid OPM retirement processing delays when you leave and learn how to be prepared for the unexpected.

TSP Salary Deferral Amount Increased

A few months ago the IRS released the new deferral limits for the TSP [11]. For 2012 you may defer up to $17,000 into your TSP. If you are 50 or older you may take advantage of the catch up provision and defer an additional $5,500. A common question that I’m asked is, if I’m turning 50 during 2012 when can I start deferring the additional amount. The answer is if you are turning 50 during 2012 and wish to take advantage of the catch up provision you may begin the extra deferrals with the first payroll of 2012.

To change you TSP contribution amount you will need to fill out form TSP 1 [12].

To take advantage of the catch up provision you will need form TSP-1-C [12].

The end of the year is also a great time to review your beneficiaries [13]. A number of life changing events can happen throughout the year. If you’ve not reviewed your beneficiaries for a while I would recommend taking a few moments to review them. I had a client pass away a few months ago. He had changed his beneficiaries without his wife’s knowledge. When he had passed away unexpectedly I had to inform his wife that she wasn’t the sole beneficiary of his accounts. I can say first hand that visiting the spouse in this case was very difficult.

Paul Risser, our new Financial Planning Forum Host [14], submitted this timely update. Visit his forum [14] for additional guidance. You can add Paul’s articles to your email newsletter list by clicking here [15] and type in your email address.  Instructions on how to update your newsletter profile will be emailed to you.  Paul will be contributing insightful articles on economic trends and retirement planning targeted towards federal employees and retirees.  We posted the following articles that you will find helpful:

Updates

Recent Forum Host Articles:

Retiree Job Lists

We continue to post new job listings on our Jobs Board [20] from employers nationwide that are looking for retired federal employees. Many retirees supplement their retirement income with full or part time work. Here are several new job listings that you may find interesting:

Learn more about your benefits [21]employment [22], travel [23], and financial planning issues [24] on our site and visit our Blog frequently at https://fedretire.net [25] to read all forum articles.

Request a FREE Retirement Benefits Summary Analysis [26] from a local adviser. Includes projected annuity payments, income verses expenses, FEGLI, and TSP projections. A sample analysis [27] is available for your review. This service is not affiliated with www.federalretirement.net

Visit our other informative sites

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools
Distribute these FREE tools to others that are planning their retirement

The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, and financial information is subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact your benefits coordinator and ask them to review your official personnel file and circumstances concerning this issue. Retirees can contact the OPM retirement center. Our articles are not intended nor should they be considered investment advice. Our reply is time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change.

Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp