[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 5, Volume 3] [Revised as of January 1, 2001] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 5CFR1650.11] [Page 265] TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL CHAPTER VI--FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD PART 1650--METHODS OF WITHDRAWING FUNDS FROM THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN--Table of Contents Subpart B--Post-Employment Withdrawals Sec. 1650.11 Monthly payments. (a) A participant can withdraw his or her account balance in two or more substantially equal monthly payments, to be calculated under one of the following methods: (1) A fixed monthly payment amount. The amount must be at least $25 per month and must satisfy any minimum distribution requirements. Payments will be made each month until the account is expended. If the last scheduled payment would be less than the chosen amount, it will be combined and paid with the previous payment; (2) A fixed number of monthly payments. The participant's month-end account balance for the month preceding the month of the first payment will be divided by the number of payments chosen in order to determine the monthly amount. The amount must be at least $25 per month and must satisfy any minimum distribution requirements. In January of each subsequent year, the TSP will divide the December 31 account balance from the prior year by the remaining number of payments in order to determine that year's monthly payments. If the monthly payment amount is less than $25, it will be increased to $25. This process will be repeated each year until the account is expended; or (3) A monthly payment amount calculated using the factors set forth in Internal Revenue Service expected return multiply table V, 26 CFR 1.72-9. There is no $25 minimum monthly payment under this method. In the year payments begin, the monthly payment amount is calculated by dividing the month-end account balance for the month preceding the month of the first payment by the factor from table V based upon the participant's age as of his or her birthday in that year. This amount is then divided by 12 to yield the monthly payment amount. In subsequent years, the monthly payment amount is recalculated each January by dividing the December 31 account balance from the previous year by the factor from Table V based upon the participant's age as of his or her birthday in the year payments will be made. That amount is divided by 12 to yield the monthly payment amount. (b) A participant who chooses to receive monthly payments calculated using one of the three methods set forth in paragraph (a) of this section cannot change the method after payments begin. Also, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the participant cannot change the number of payments or the payment amount after payments begin. (c) A participant receiving monthly payments can choose to receive the remainder of his or her account balance in a final single payment. (d) A participant receiving monthly payments may invest his or her account balance as provided in 5 CFR part 1601.