6 Key Rules to Borrowing from Your Thrift Savings Account

You can borrow from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account if:

• You are currently employed as a federal civilian employee or member of the uniformed services. (Separated or retired participants and beneficiary participants are not eligible.)

• You have at least $1,000 of your own contributions and associated earnings in your account. Agency contributions (and earnings on that money) cannot be borrowed.

• You are in pay status. (Loan payments are deducted from your pay.)

• You have not repaid a TSP loan (of the same type) in full within the past 60 days.

• You have not had a taxable distribution on a TSP loan within the past 12 months, unless the taxable distribution resulted from your separation from federal service.

• You can take out a TSP loan even if you have stopped contributing your own money.

Source:  TSPBK04 (5/2012)