The Thrift Savings Plan and Savings Deposit Program
If you participated in the Uniformed Thrift Savings Plan while you were in the service, then
you have several options:
-
Leave your money in the TSP. If your money remains in the TSP, it will continue to
accrue earnings. Although you will not be able to make additional contributions, you will be
able to make interfund transfers. You must begin withdrawing from your account no later than
April 1 of the year following the year you turn age 70.
-
Receive a single payment. All or a portion of your account can be transferred to a
traditional IRA or eligible employer plan (e.g., a 401(k) plan or your civilian TSP account)*
-
Request a series of monthly payments based on a dollar amount or your life
expectancy. All or a portion of certain monthly payments can be transferred to a
traditional IRA or eligible employer plan;*
-
Request a TSP annuity. You must have at least $3,500 in your account in order to
purchase an annuity;
*Tax-exempt contributions to the TSP are eligible for transfer to a traditional IRA or
eligible employer plan only if the financial institution or plan will accept the funds. Funds
not accepted will be paid directly to you. If you transfer balances from your uniformed
service TSP account to your civilian TSP account, the TSP will not accept tax-exempt money.
Savings Deposit Plan participants - If you participated in the Savings Deposit
Program (SDP), your funds may be left in an SDP account indefinitely, however, the account will
stop accruing interest 90 days after you return from the combat zone. Generally, withdrawals
may only be made upon termination of eligibility for the program.
To make arrangements for withdrawing SDP funds send a request to the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service (DFAS) at:
- Toll Free (Stateside Only): 1-888-332-7411
- Commercial: 216-522-5096
- DSN: 580-5096
- Fax: (Attention SDP): 216-522-5060
- E-mail:
CCL-SDP@dfas.mil
- …or by mail to
DFAS-Cleveland Center (DFAS-CL),
ATTN: SDP, Special Claims,
1240 East 9th St.,
Cleveland , OH 44199-2055
Be sure to include your name, social security number, branch of service, eligible tour start
and stop dates, and the amount requested.
Date Last Reviewed: September 8, 2011
