How much will my TSP be worth at retirement?

Your TSP balance depends on your current balance, years to retirement, contribution amount, agency match, and expected return rate. Our calculator projects growth using conservative (5%), moderate (7%), and aggressive (9%) scenarios.

What is a safe TSP withdrawal rate?

The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your balance in year 1, adjusted for inflation annually. This historically lasts 30+ years. More conservative: 3.5%, more aggressive: 4.5-5%.

How does TSP agency matching work?

FERS employees receive automatic 1% plus matching: 100% match on first 3% you contribute, 50% on next 2%. Contribute 5% of salary to get the full 5% agency match (10% total going into TSP). This is an immediate 100% return on your money.

What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?

For 2026: $24,500 regular limit ($942/pay period). Age 50+: add $8,000 catch-up = $32,500 total ($1,250/PP). Ages 60-63: super catch-up of $11,250 = $35,750 total ($1,375/PP). Spread contributions across all 26 pay periods to avoid losing matching.

Should I choose Traditional or Roth TSP?

Traditional: tax deduction now, taxable withdrawals later - best if high earner or near retirement. Roth: no deduction now, tax-free withdrawals later - best if early career or lower bracket. You can split contributions between both for tax diversification.

What happens if I max out my TSP early?

If you hit the annual limit before your last pay period, agency matching STOPS for the remaining pay periods. Solution: spread contributions evenly ($942/PP for under 50, $1,250/PP for 50+, $1,375/PP for ages 60-63).

What are the TSP fund options?

G Fund (government securities, never loses), F Fund (bonds, low risk), C Fund (S&P 500, moderate risk), S Fund (small cap stocks, higher risk), I Fund (international stocks, higher risk), plus L Funds (lifecycle/target-date that auto-rebalance based on retirement year).

Can I rollover a 401(k) or IRA into TSP?

Yes. You can roll Traditional 401(k), 403(b), 457, IRA, and SIMPLE IRA into Traditional TSP. Roth 401(k)/403(b)/457 can roll into Roth TSP. However, you cannot roll Roth IRA into TSP. TSP has some of the lowest fees in the industry (0.04%).

When do TSP Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) start?

RMDs begin at age 73. Both Traditional AND Roth TSP require RMDs (unlike Roth IRA). To avoid Roth TSP RMDs, roll your Roth TSP to a Roth IRA after separating from federal service.

What is the TSP age 55 rule?

If you separate from federal service during or after the year you turn 55, you can withdraw from TSP without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. This is better than IRA rules (which require age 59 1/2). Special provisions employees (LEO, firefighters) qualify at age 50.

Can I access TSP before age 55 without penalty?

Yes, using the 72(t) rule (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments or SEPP). You commit to fixed annual withdrawals for 5 years or until age 59 1/2, whichever is longer. Three IRS-approved calculation methods exist: RMD, Fixed Amortization, and Fixed Annuitization. Warning: breaking the 72(t) rules triggers retroactive 10% penalties on all prior withdrawals.

TSP · Retirement Savings

TSP Growth & Withdrawal Calculator

Project your TSP balance growth, calculate safe withdrawal rates for retirement, and see your total income including FERS annuity and Social Security.

Reviewed by Jonathan D., 20-year federal employee · Formulas verified against TSP.gov · Updated June 2026

Current TSP balance

Current age

Planned retirement age

Annual salary

Your TSP contribution

Standard: $24,500

Your contribution summary

Your annual contribution$4,000

Government match$4,000

Total annual contribution$8,000

IRS elective-deferral limit$24,500

Government match breakdown

1% automatic FREE
Given regardless of your contribution$800

First 3% matched 100%
You contribute 3.0%, agency matches 3.0%$2,400

Next 2% matched 50%
You contribute 2.0%, agency matches 1.0%$800

Total annual match$4,000

You are maximizing your agency match.

Contribution type

Expected return scenario

Projected balance at age 62Moderate (7%) return

$1,426,461

in 27 years, at 7% average annual return

3538404345485153565861

$270,000

Your contributions

Over 27 years

$108,000

Agency match

Free money

$998,461

Investment growth

Compounded

Years to retirement

100% Traditional

Know your 2026 GS salary

Your contributions come from your paycheck -- look up your exact GS pay with locality to set the right percentage.

Open GS Pay Calculator →

2026 TSP contribution limits

The IRS sets annual limits on TSP contributions. SECURE 2.0 added a "super catch-up" for ages 60-63 starting in 2025.

2026 TSP contribution limits by age category
Category	Annual limit	Per pay period
Regular (all ages)	$24,500	$942.31
Catch-up (age 50+)	+ $8,000	+ $307.69
Total (age 50+)	$32,500	$1,250.00
Super catch-up (ages 60-63)	+ $11,250	+ $432.69
Total (ages 60-63)	$35,750	$1,375.00

2026 change: if you earned over $145,000 in 2025, all catch-up contributions must be Roth (mandatory under SECURE 2.0). Regular contributions can still be Traditional or Roth.

How TSP agency matching works

FERS employees get matching up to 5% of basic pay -- essentially free money, an immediate 100% return on the first dollars you contribute.

FERS TSP agency automatic and matching contribution rates
You contribute	Agency auto	Agency match	Total to TSP
0%	1%	0%	1%
3%	1%	3%	7%
5%+	1%	4%	10%

Vesting: your contributions and the 4% match are immediately vested. The 1% automatic contribution vests after 3 years of federal civilian service.

The five TSP funds

Five individual funds, plus Lifecycle (L) funds that auto-rebalance toward your target retirement date.

G FundLowest risk

Government Securities

Guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Never loses principal. ~4.4% return in 2025.

F FundLow-moderate

Fixed Income (Bonds)

Tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Can lose value in rising-rate environments.

C FundModerate

S&P 500 Index

500 largest U.S. companies. Most popular TSP fund. ~17.9% return in 2025.

S FundModerate-high

Small/Mid-Cap Stocks

U.S. stocks NOT in the S&P 500. Higher growth potential, more volatile.

I FundModerate-high

International Stocks

40+ developed and emerging markets (ex-USA). Record 32.5% return in 2025.

L FundsVaries

Lifecycle / Target-Date

Auto-rebalances from stocks toward bonds as you approach your target retirement date.

TSP fees are among the lowest anywhere -- about 0.04% (4 cents per $100), versus 0.5-1.5% for a typical 401(k). Over 30 years that gap saves tens of thousands of dollars.

NEW 2026

Roth in-plan conversions

Starting January 28, 2026, you can convert Traditional TSP to Roth TSP directly inside your account -- no rolling out to an IRA first.

How it works

•Minimum conversion: $500

•Maximum: 26 conversions per year

•Must leave $500 in each contribution source

•Available in My Account starting Jan 28

Tax impact

•Conversion amount is taxable income

•TSP does NOT withhold taxes

•Pay via estimated taxes or adjust W-4

•Once converted, cannot be undone

Best for: low-income years, market downturns (convert more shares for the same tax), reducing future RMDs, or building tax-free retirement funds.

Traditional vs. Roth TSP

Traditional TSP

✓Contributions reduce taxable income now

✓More take-home pay today

✕Withdrawals taxed as ordinary income

Best for: high earners (GS-14+), near retirement, expecting a lower bracket later.

Roth TSP

✕No tax deduction now

✓Growth and withdrawals are 100% tax-free

✓A hedge against future tax increases

Best for: early career, lower bracket now, expecting higher taxes later.

Pro tip: you can split contributions between Traditional and Roth for tax diversification. Agency matching always goes to Traditional, regardless of your election.

Keep going

Plan your FERS pension

Your TSP is just one leg of federal retirement. Estimate your FERS annuity alongside TSP withdrawals for a complete income picture.

Open calculator →

Look up your 2026 GS salary

Your TSP contribution percentage is taken from your paycheck. Look up your exact GS pay with locality to plan the right amount.

Open calculator →

High-3 Calculator

Find your highest 36 months of basic pay -- the foundation of the FERS pension formula that funds your non-TSP retirement income.

Open calculator →

TSP Withdrawal Strategies

A deep dive on the 4% rule, RMD timing, the TSP annuity option, and how to sequence withdrawals for tax efficiency.