Historical information on contribution limits
The TSP provides agency and service representatives with historical information on contribution rules, limits, and eligibility determination. This page also provides agency representatives with sample language notifications they may use to inform newly hired or rehired FERS and CSRS employees of the benefits of participation in the TSP.
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Elective deferral, section 415(c), and catch-up contribution limits
1987 – PresentTax year Elective deferral Section 415(c) Catch-up contributions 2021 $19,500 $58,000 $6,500 2020 $19,500 $57,000 $6,500 2019 $19,000 $56,000 $6,000 2018 $18,500 $55,000 $6,000 2017 $18,000 $54,000 $6,000 2016 $18,000 $53,000 $6,000 2015 $18,000 $53,000 $6,000 2014 $17,500 $52,000 $5,500 2013 $17,500 $51,000 $5,500 2012 $17,000 $50,000 $5,500 2011 $16,500 $49,000 $5,500 2010 $16,500 $49,000 $5,500 2009 $16,500 $49,000 $5,500 2008 $15,500 $46,000 $5,000 2007 $15,500 $45,000 $5,000 2006 $15,000 $44,000 $5,000 2005 $14,000 $42,000 $4,000 2004 $13,000 $41,000 $3,000 2003 $12,000 $40,000 $2,000 2002 $11,000 $40,000 N/A 2001 $10,500 N/A N/A 2000 $10,500 N/A N/A 1999 $10,000 N/A N/A 1998 $10,000 N/A N/A 1997 $9,500 N/A N/A 1996 $9,500 N/A N/A 1995 $9,240 N/A N/A 1994 $9,240 N/A N/A 1993 $8,994 N/A N/A 1992 $8,728 N/A N/A 1991 $8,475 N/A N/A 1990 $7,979 N/A N/A 1989 $7,627 N/A N/A 1988 $7,313 N/A N/A 1987 $7,000 N/A N/A -
Eligibility dates for TSP employee and Agency contributions FERS employment begins: Eligible to make employee contributions begins the first full pay period in: Eligible for Agency contributions begins the first full pay period in: On or before January 1, 1987 April 1987 January 2, 1987 –
June 30, 1987January 1988 July 1, 1987 –
December 31, 1987July 1988 January 1, 1988 –
June 30, 1988January 1989 July 1, 1988 –
December 31, 1988July 1989 January 1, 1989 –
June 30, 1989January 1990 July 1, 1989 –
December 31, 1989July 1990 January 1, 1990 –
June 30, 1990January 1991 July 1, 1990 –
December 31, 1990July 1991 January 1, 1991 –
June 30, 1991January 1992 July 1, 1991 –
December 31, 1991July 1992 January 1, 1992 –
June 30, 1992January 1993 July 1, 1992 –
December 31, 1992July 1993 January 1, 1993 –
June 30, 1993January 1994 July 1, 1993 –
December 31, 1993July 1994 January 1, 1994 –
June 30, 1994January 1995 July 1, 1994 –
December 31, 1994July 1995 January 1, 1995 –
June 30, 1995January 1996 July 1, 1995 –
December 31, 1995July 1996 January 1, 1996 –
June 30, 1996January 1997 July 1, 1996 –
December 31, 1996July 1997 January 1, 1997 –
June 30, 1997January 1998 July 1, 1997 –
December 31, 1997July 1998 January 1, 1998 –
June 30, 1998January 1999 July 1, 1998 –
December 31, 1998July 1999 January 1, 1999 –
June 30, 1999January 2000 July 1, 1999 –
December 31, 1999July 2000 January 1, 2000 –
June 30, 2000January 2001 July 1, 2000 –
December 31, 2000July 2001 January 1, 2001 –
June 30, 2001July 2001 January 2002 July 1, 2001 –
December 31, 2001Election can be made 60 days from date of hire July 2002 January 1, 2002 –
June 30, 2002Election can be made 60 days from date of hire December 2002 July 1, 2002 –
November 30, 2002Election can be made 60 days from date of hire June 2003 December 1, 2002 –
May 31, 2003Election can be made 60 days from date of hire December 2003 June 1, 2003 –
November 30, 2003Election can be made 60 days from date of hire June 2004 December 1, 2003 –
May 31, 2004Election can be made 60 days from date of hire December 2004 June 1, 2004 –
November 30, 2004Election can be made 60 days from date of hire June 2005 December 1, 2004 –
May 31, 2005Election can be made 60 days from date of hire December 2005 June 1, 2005 –
June 30, 2005Election can be made 60 days from date of hire June 2006 July 1, 2005 –
November 30, 2005Eligible at any time June 2006 December 1, 2005 –
May 31, 2006Eligible at any time December 2006 June 1, 2006 –
November 30, 2006Eligible at any time June 2007 December 1, 2006 –
May 31, 2007Eligible at any time December 2007 June 1, 2007 –
November 30, 2007Eligible at any time June 2008 December 1, 2007 –
May 31, 2008Eligible at any time December 2008 June 1, 2008 –
November 30, 2008Eligible at any time June 2009 December 1, 2008 –
June 22, 2009Eligible at any time Effective June 22, 2009, eligible immediately but no later than the first full pay period in August 20091, 2 On or after June 22, 2009 Eligible at any time Eligible immediately1, 2 On or after August 1, 2010 Employee is automatically enrolled3 Eligible immediately - As a result of the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2009 that was signed into law on June 22, 2009, FERS employees who are newly hired or rehired on or after June 22, 2009, and FERS employees who are currently employed and waiting until the second election period to become eligible for agency contributions (i.e., employees hired on or after December 1, 2008) are immediately eligible to receive Agency contributions.
- The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) Executive Director has given employing agencies until the first full pay period in August 2009 to implement this regulation pursuant to his authority to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary for the administration of the Thrift Savings Plan, (5 U.S.C. 8474(b)(5)), to include section 8432 (id.) and as may be necessary to carry out his responsibilities as Executive Director (5 U.S.C. 8474(b)(5)).
- As a result of the Thrift Savings Plan Enhancement Act of 2009, newly hired and rehired FERS and CSRS employees are immediately enrolled to automatically contribute 3% of basic pay. The employee has the option to opt out of employee contributions, stop contributing, or change the amount of his or her contributions.
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TSP Open Seasons, eligibility to elect to contribute Enrollment period Election period Starting in 1987...
February 15 – March 31;April 1 – 30 After April 1987...
May 15 – June 30;
November 15 – December 31July 1 – 31;
January 1 – 31After July 2002...
October 15 – November 30;
April 15 – May 31December 1 – 31;
June 1 – 30Starting in July 2005...
Open Seasons eliminatedEligibility rules:
- Employees hired on or before January 1, 1987 were eligible to participate in the February to April open season.
- Second open season rule governs both employer and agency contributions for all employees hired after January 1, 1987 through December 31, 2000
- Employees appointed during the period January 1 through June 30, 2001 could elect to contribute during the May 15 through July 31, 2001 open season.
- Employees appointed on or after July 1, 2001, had a 60-day window to elect to contribute. After the window closed, they reverted to the normal open season rules.
References:
- TSP Bulletin 01-4, Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (02/02/01)
- TSP Bulletin 05-2, Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (01/26/05)
- TSP Bulletin 10-7, Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (07/22/10)