Reveille Brief · Reference guides18 guides
TSP guides
Straight answers about the Thrift Savings Plan, with current numbers and links to the official sources.
- TSP contribution limits for 2026Reviewed 2026-11-08The 2026 TSP limit is $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ or $11,250 at ages 60–63. Roth catch-up rules, combat-zone limits, and how to keep your match.
- What index does the TSP I Fund track? The 2024 change, explainedReviewed 2026-11-06The TSP I Fund tracks the MSCI ACWI IMI ex USA ex China ex Hong Kong Index: 5,000+ stocks in 44 countries. Japan leads at 16.14%. See the top 10 countries.
- Do TSP funds have ticker symbols?Reviewed 2026-11-05TSP funds have no ticker symbols because they aren't publicly traded. See the index each fund tracks, public funds that share it, and where to see prices.
- How TSP share prices workReviewed 2026-11-05TSP share prices are set once a day, after U.S. markets close, from each fund's holdings net of expenses. Why there's no live price, and the I Fund twist.
- TSP withdrawal rules and timeline: the basics by ageReviewed 2026-11-03TSP withdrawal rules by age (59½, 55, RMDs) and how long a withdrawal takes: same-night processing before noon ET, the 7-day payment hold, installment dates.
- What YTD TSP Deferred means on your LES (and the other TSP boxes)Reviewed 2026-11-02TSP YTD Deduction is the TSP taken from your pay this year; YTD Deferred is traditional money from taxable pay. Plus Exempt, Roth, AGCY-AUTO and MATCH.
- TSP G Fund Rate for October 2026: 5.375%Reviewed 2026-11-01The latest confirmed TSP G Fund rate is 5.375% (October 2026), up from 4.875% in September. How the Treasury sets it each month and why the price rarely falls.
- Roth vs traditional TSP: how each is taxedReviewed 2026-10-31Roth TSP is taxed now, traditional later. A $1,000 example, where the BRS match goes, combat-zone limits ($24,500 Roth vs $72,000) and 2026 conversions.
- How TSP L Funds workReviewed 2026-10-30Pick the L Fund for your birth or withdrawal year. Each mixes the G, F, C, S and I Funds and shifts toward G and F every quarter. See today's mixes.
- BRS vs FERS: how the TSP match comparesReviewed 2026-10-27BRS and FERS both put up to 5% of basic pay in your TSP: 1% automatic plus up to 4% match. BRS waits 60 days and two years, and stops at 26 years.
- How much does the military match in the TSP?Reviewed 2026-10-26The military puts up to 5% of basic pay in your TSP: 1% automatic plus up to 4% matching from month 25, in every branch. 2026 dollar examples by rank.
- SkillBridge: civilian job training in your last 180 days of serviceReviewed 2026-10-23SkillBridge lets service members train with a civilian employer in their last 180 days of service, still on military pay. Who's eligible and who approves it.
- The Transition Assistance Program (TAP): timeline and requirementsReviewed 2026-10-23The Transition Assistance Program starts no later than 365 days before you leave and ends with Capstone 90 days out. The required courses and the 2-day tracks.
- VEOA: applying to federal "status" jobs as a veteranReviewed 2026-10-23VEOA lets eligible veterans apply to federal jobs posted for "status" candidates. Who qualifies, how it works, and how it differs from veterans' preference.
- TSP in-service withdrawals: taking money out while you're still servingReviewed 2026-10-22Taking TSP money while still working: age-59½ rules (4 a year, $1,000 minimum), hardship reasons, withholding, spouse consent and the 6-month wait.
- How TSP withdrawals are taxedReviewed 2026-10-20No flat tax rate applies to TSP withdrawals: traditional money is taxed as income, and the TSP withholds 20% or 10% by payment type. Penalty and Roth rules.
- Military retirement pay: BRS vs High-3Reviewed 2026-09-28How military retired pay is calculated under BRS (2.0%) and legacy High-3 (2.5%), with 2026 examples by grade at 20 years, lump-sum and TSP differences.
- The FERS pension, explainedReviewed 2026-09-28How the FERS basic annuity is calculated (1% or 1.1% of High-3), your minimum retirement age, the MRA+10 reduction, and special provisions, with examples.
Also see the TSP funds explained and the free TSP contribution calculator.