Retirement Planning

Retirement is a Big Step, We can help you get started

HR Shared Service Center (HRSSC)
HRSSC Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. ET – 8:30 p.m. ET

HRSSC 1-877-477-3273 Option 5
HRSSC (TDD/TTY 1-866-260-7507
PostalEASE 1-877-477-3273 Option 1

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2024 TAX Brackets

2023 Federal Income Tax Brackets and Rates for Single Filers, Married Couples Filing Jointly, and Heads of Households

Tax RateFor Single FilersFor Married Individuals Filing Joint ReturnsFor Heads of Households
10%$0 to $11,600$0 to $23,200$0 to $16,550
12%$11,600 to $47,150$23,200 to $94,300$16,550 to $63,100
22%$47,150 to $100,525$94,300 to $201,050$63,100 to $100,500
24%$100,525 to $191,950$201,050 to $383,900$100,500 to $191,950
32%$191,950 to $243,725$383,900 to $487,450$191,950 to $243,700
35%$243,725 to $609,350$487,450 to $731,200$243,700 to $609,350
37%$609,350 or more$731,200 or more$609,350 or more

Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption

Filing StatusDeduction Amount
Single$14,600
Married Filing Jointly$29,200
Head of Household$21,900
  
Additional Amount for Married Seniors$1,550
Additional Amount for Unmarried Seniors$1,950

TSP Retirement

How does TSP work when you retire?

The TSP is a defined contribution plan, meaning that the retirement income you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much money you put into your account during your working years and the earnings accumulated over time (and, if you’re eligible, agency or service contributions and their earnings)
 
 
If you have questions about or need assistance with your TSP account, please contact the Thriftline at 1-877-968-3778.

Rules for age-59 ½ withdrawals

  • You can only withdraw funds in which you are vested (i.e., funds you are entitled to keep) based on your years of service.
  • The amount of your age-59 ½ withdrawal must be at least $1,000 or your entire vested account balance (even if it’s less than $1,000).
  • You may only take up to four age-59 ½ withdrawals per calendar year. If you have two separate TSP accounts—a civilian TSP account and a uniformed services account—you can only make age-59 ½ withdrawals from the account associated with your active employment at the time of your withdrawal. However, if both of your accounts are associated with your active employment, you can make age-59 ½ withdrawals from each account.

Consequences of age-59 ½ withdrawals

When you make an age-59 ½ withdrawal, you must pay 20% federal income tax on the taxable portion of the withdrawal unless you’re able to roll it over to an IRA or an eligible employer plan.

The booklet Tax Rules about TSP Payments provides more information about the tax rules affecting age-59 ½ withdrawals.

Social Security in retirement

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it’s best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.

See if you’re eligible

Eligibility is always based on work. Most jobs take Social Security taxes out of your paycheck so you can get a monthly benefit in retirement.

Check your eligibility

Plan for retirement

Estimate your benefit amount, determine when to apply, and explore other factors that may affect your retirement planning.

Consider factors that may affect your planning

Get started with Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Some people get Medicare automatically, others have to actively sign up — it depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before you turn 65.

Check eligibility

How do I enroll in Medicare for the first time?

Ways to sign up:
  1. Online (at Social Security) – It’s the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. …
  2. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. …
  3. Contact your local Social Security office.