TSP To Gold IRA Rollover
A TSP-to-IRA decision affects retirement assets and deserves careful review of TSP rules, tax consequences, fees and investment alternatives before action.
Key Takeaways
- Verify tax and custody rules using primary sources before moving retirement assets.
- Compare total costs, including dealer transaction economics, not just the annual account fee.
- Know the storage and liquidation process before authorizing a precious-metals purchase.
Start With TSP Rules
The Thrift Savings Plan has its own distribution and rollover procedures. Confirm current TSP options and eligibility before directing money to an IRA.
Compare Institutional Costs
TSP investment expenses and administration can differ materially from a self-directed precious-metals IRA. A desire for physical-metal exposure should be weighed against the costs and features being left behind.
Keep Tax Treatment Straight
The tax character of the source money and destination account matters. Traditional and Roth balances require appropriate handling; do not assume all TSP money should be sent to the same IRA type.
Avoid Sales-Led Timing
Do not let a dealer promotion determine when retirement assets move. First confirm the retirement-account decision, then compare dealers and products.
Choose The Transaction Type Carefully
A direct rollover, trustee-to-trustee transfer, and 60-day rollover are not identical. The IRS says trustee-to-trustee IRA transfers are not rollovers and are not affected by the IRA one-rollover-per-year limitation.
The 60-Day Rule
When an eligible distribution is paid to you, the general rule is that the rollover must be completed within 60 days. Exceptions and waiver procedures exist, but they should not be treated as a planning strategy.
Plan Rules Come First
Employer plans can impose their own distribution and rollover procedures. Confirm what your current plan permits before opening or funding a destination account.
A Safer Checklist
Confirm eligibility, identify the receiving custodian, understand withholding consequences, document instructions, verify receipt of funds, and retain transaction records.
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Primary Sources
- IRS: IRA FAQs And Precious-Metals Rules
- IRS: Rollovers Of Retirement Plan And IRA Distributions
- IRS Publication 590-A