TSP Definitions

TSP Definitions: Qualified Retirement Plan

An eligible retirement plan is either an eligible employer plan or a traditional IRA.  In general, an "eligible employer plan" includes a plan qualified under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 401(a), including a § 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, defined benefit plan, stock bonus plan, and money purchase plan; an I.R.C. § 403(a) annuity plan; an I.R.C. § 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity; and an eligible I.R.C. § 457(b) plan maintained by a governmental employer.

A "traditional IRA" is an individual retirement account described in § 408(a) of the I.R.C. or an individual retirement annuity described in I.R.C. § 408(b).  It does not include a Roth IRA, a SIMPLE IRA, or a Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly known as an education IRA).