A Complete Guide from Harvard Gold Group, HGG
If you're a federal employee, military service member, or government contractor, chances are your retirement savings are held in a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). While the TSP is a valuable tax-advantaged retirement account, it offers limited investment choices— primarily traditional asset classes like mutual funds and government securities.
If you're concerned about inflation, market volatility, or long-term dollar devaluation, now may be the time to diversify into tangible assets through a Gold IRA or Silver IRA. Fortunately, rolling over your TSP into a self-directed IRA that holds physical precious metals is simple, penalty-free, and fully compliant with IRS rules—as long as it's done correctly.
Here at Harvard Gold Group (HGG), we make this transition seamless. Here’s how to roll over your TSP into a Gold or Silver IRA in three easy steps:
Step 1: Open a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA
To get started, we help you with the paperwork to open a self-directed IRA— this is different from a standard IRA because it allows you to invest in physical precious metals like gold and silver, or even real estate and other assets rather than just stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
Harvard Gold Group does all the heavy-lifting assisting with paperwork, while partnering with IRS-approved custodians who handle the account creation, recordkeeping, and reporting for the IRS.
Step 2: Choose How Much of Your TSP to Roll Over
You can roll over some or all of your TSP balance into a precious metals IRA (minimum $20k). Before deciding, consider how diversified you want your entire net-worth to be.
Some investors choose to keep a portion in their TSP for continued access to low-fee index funds and the G Fund’s unique government securities. As long as your TSP balance remains above $200, the account can stay open after a partial rollover.
How Much Gold versus Silver?
People looking to protect their wealth often choose to allocate 90% to 100% in gold within their account, though you can also include silver, platinum, and palladium. Harvard Gold Group (HGG) offers a clear overview of each precious metal— including insights into silver’s volatility— so you can make informed decisions about how much gold aligns with your financial goals and objectives
💡 Not sure how much to move or how much gold is best for you? Call us, our specialists at HGG can help provide information to assist you in creating a balanced rollover strategy.
Step 3: HGG will Initiate the Direct Rollover
Once you have decided how much to roll over, HGG assists you with the direct transfer paperwork to ensure you do trigger an unexpected tax event. These documents are then mailed to your TSP plan, and they initiate the rollover of funds to your new Self-Directed Gold-IRA.
Once confirmed, the TSP will send a check directly to your new custodian. In most cases, this happens within 10 business days, and the entire process is typically complete in two to three weeks.
✅ Done properly, this rollover is non-taxable and penalty-free, as it qualifies as a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer.
Why Roll Over Your TSP to a Silver or Gold IRA?
While a TSP is an excellent tool for federal employees to be able to participate in a retirement plan, it lacks exposure to real assets that can hedge against inflation, dollar decline, financial crisis, or market instability. Why Buy Gold — Why Buy Silver — Gold vs Silver
By rolling over your TSP into a Gold IRA or Silver IRA, you gain access to:
- Physical ownership of IRS-approved gold and silver
- True diversification beyond paper-based assets
- Protection against inflation and economic volatility
- Tax-deferred growth inside your IRA structure
- The peace of mind that comes with holding tangible assets
- Additional distribution choices that allow you to explore tax strategies that meet your goals and financial objectives to effectively maximize your retirement years.
HGG makes the rollover process simple and hassle-free. Join the millions of Americans who are rolling over their 401(k)s, IRAs, and TSPs into physical gold and silver accounts. Harvard Gold Group is 5-star rated and offers a zero-cost rollover of your retirement account into a Gold IRA. HGG prioritizes customer education, provides transparent pricing, delivers exceptional customer service, and offers a simple liquidation process with no selling fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is there a penalty or tax for rolling over my TSP?
A: No, not if you do a direct rollover. HGG’s process ensures your funds go directly from TSP to your new IRA custodian to avoid any taxes or early withdrawal penalties.
Q: Can I roll over a TSP from a previous job or military service?
A: Yes. If you’ve separated from federal service, your TSP can be rolled into a precious metals IRA at any time.
Q: What types of silver and gold can I hold in my IRA?
A: The IRS only allows certain IRA-eligible gold and silver coins and bars, such as American Silver Eagles and gold bars with .995+ purity. HGG can guide you through your options.
Q: Do I need to close my TSP after a rollover?
A: No. As long as your remaining balance is over $200, you can maintain your TSP account and still complete a partial rollover.
Take the First Step with Harvard Gold Group
If you're ready to take more control over your retirement savings and add the stability of silver or gold to your portfolio, Harvard Gold Group is here to help.
Our experienced team will walk you through:
- Opening a self-directed Gold or Silver IRA
- Coordinating with your TSP
- Selecting the right metals
- Securing your assets with insured storage
📞 Call us today at (844) 977‑4653 to speak with an IRA specialist or Get Started on the IRA Intake Form to start the process of moving your retirement account today.
