The 2013 Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Elective Deferral Limit will change to $17,500 for regular TSP contributions and will remain at $5,500 for TSP Catch-Up Contributions (TSP CUC).

TSP CUCs are supplemental contributions available to participants age 50 and over. Employees must:

1. enroll in TSP CUCs each year (NOTE: The prior year's election/enrollment is not valid);
2. be age 50 or will turn 50 in the year they are making CUCs;
3. be in a pay status;
4. not be in a 6-month non-contributory period after taking a financial hardship withdrawal; and
5. certify they will make (or have made) the maximum regular TSP contributions (i.e., $17,500) for the year they are making the CUCs.

The 2013 tax year for TSP and TSP CUCs will begin December 16, 2012 (pay period 26) and will end December 14, 2013 (pay period 24). This is a total of 26 pay periods. For assistance in determining the biweekly amount to contribute to your TSP account, go to the Elective Deferral calculator on the TSP Website at http://www.tsp.gov.

Employees who wish to enroll in or change the contributions into their TSP and/or TSP CUC must do so using the self-service option on the NFC Employee Personal Page (EPP). To use EPP, log on to http://www.nfc.usda.gov and click "My EPP". Once prompted, enter your User ID and EPP password. After you are logged into the system, click on the TSP or TSP CUC tab located on the navigation bar to the left. Once there click on "Self Service" in the upper right hand corner and follow the prompts.

For additional information, please contact your servicing Benefits Specialist or Assistant at:
http://www.wfm.noaa.gov/pdfs/Contact_BeneRetire.pdf

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