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Aternate SSN Verification Method

Published Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:16 CST

ALCGPSC 022/12 announced the Social Security Administration's Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) as an approved alternative method to verify member social security numbers.

PSC-BOPS-C will use the data that you already submitted or will submit for the SPO-PDR Review data call due to DCMS-81 by COB 07FEB12. There is no need to send an additional request to BOPS to initiate SSN verifications.

BOPS will run the member's name, SSN and DOB through the SSNVS.

If the member's SSN is valid and matches both name and DOB, BOPS will send the member a digitally signed CG-3307 via email. The member's SPO Supervisor will also receive a copy of the CG-3307 for informational purposes. The member will need to digitally or manually sign the CG-3307 and return it to his/her SPO YN.

If the member's SSN is invalid and does not match both name and DOB, the member and their SPO Supervisor will be notified by email. Once the situation is resolved, the SPO should contact BOPS to have the member's information run again.

SPO YNs file the CG-3307 as if it were a copy of the members SSN by placing it in Section 1 of the SPO-PDR (not in Section 4 as the message indicates or in Section 2 where normal CG-3307's are filed). SPO YNs should also forward a scanned signed copy of the CG-3307 to PSD-MR at ARL-PF-CGPSC-PSD-MR_DOCS@uscg.mil.

If you have any questions, please email ARL-DG-M-CGPSC-BOPS-C@uscg.mil or contact YN1 Juan Calderon or LCDR Christine Fern.

Utah Residents - New Employer ID Number for Coast Guard

Published Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:16 CST

2011 IRS Form W-2, Box 15, shows the state claimed by a member for state tax purposes. Box 15 contains an employer's state ID number. 2011 W-2 forms issued by the Coast Guard to Utah residents show an employer state ID number of W83421.

The State of Utah has changed the Coast Guard's state ID number from W83421 to 12485340002WTH. The state will still accept the old number; however, if you file your state taxes through certain software (such as TurboTax), you will be asked to enter the employer's state ID number. You will need to enter 12485340002WTH instead of W83421.

All other information on your W-2 is correct.

eLeave -- Absence Request

Published Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:16 CST

In FLAG VOICE 343, released on 1 February 2012, Rear Admiral Ronald T. Hewitt, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, announced plans to deploy new functionality within the Coast Guard's human resources management information system - Direct Access -- that, when implemented, will simplify the process for and enhance the timeliness of military leave transactions.

The new Absence Request functionality leverages technology that recently became available when the Coast Guard upgraded its PeopleSoft HR system to version 9.

Self Service

The Absence Request component eliminates the need to complete CG Form 2519 (Leave Request/Authorization) and route it to the Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) for data entry. Members, using the Self Service screen shown below, will submit requests for leave to their approving official for review. As noted in FLAG VOICE 343, the Absence Request only automates the "official" approval of the member's leave. Units will still have to employ local methods (electronic / paper based) to capture intermediate approvals that may be required. However, the system does include the ability to add scanned or printed to "PDF" supporting documents to the request. For example, if local policy requires the duty coordinator to sign off on all leave chits, the member could email a request (using the Standard Workstation's email program, not email within DA) for leave to the duty coordinator. The duty coordinator's reply to the email can be printed to a file (all Standard Workstations have print to "PDF" capability) and attached to the member's Absence Request where it would be available for review by the leave approving official.

The Self Service Absence Request screen (pre-production, it may change in final release) is shown below. There are only 6 steps necessary to complete the request:

Approvers

Leave Approving Officials will not need additional permissions in Direct Access! New user access forms will not be required. A member can route an Absence Request to any user for approval. While this policy may seem a little "loose" given the recent emphasis placed on security and segregation of duties, the alternative of creating a formal designation policy would create an administrative burden for units and perhaps, slow or hamper adoption of the improved process.

A listing of absence requests/report will be available so commands can ensure only those personnel they authorize are approving leave transactions.

More to follow...

We'll be providing more information about the Absence Request component in the next couple of weeks. Some other features and functions we'll discuss are:

• Email notifications
• Approval delegation
• SPO proxy authority
• Corrections
• Deletions

Designation of Persons Authorized to Direct Disposition of Remains

Published Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:16 CST

Per the National Defense Authorization Act 2012 signed by the President on 31 Dec, the "Designation of Persons Authorized to Direct Disposition of Remains of Members of the Armed Services" (PADD) is now a "member-designated" benefit. As outlined in ALCOAST 427/08 only spouse, adult child, parent or adult sibling were allowed to be designated. If none were known or alive then any relative may have been designated, or finally, a close friend. The new law allows members to designate any person of choice.

No one is required to change any PADD designation as a result of the change in law or to update their form CG-2020D at this time. Existing PADD designations for someone other than a relative--which actually should not have been accepted at the time--will now be acceptable, no update needed. The change supports every Coast Guard member who has reason to designate a PADD other than a relative.

The Personnel Service Center (PSC) is in the process of updating the designation form and will be promulgating an ALCOAST once the revised form is approved.

January LESs and Retirement Point Statements and 2011W-2 data are Online

Published Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:16 CST

Resynchronization from JUMPS to MyPortalDirect (DA) for the January, 2012 production cycle is complete. Leave and Earnings Statements for January can be accessed using DA self-service View Paycheck or by SPOs. LES comments/remarks for the current and previous 13 months are accessible online. The official pay date for end-month January 2012 is 01 February 2012. The Department of the Treasury, FMS, will not release payments to the Federal Reserve Bank until the evening prior to pay day. This means that most banks will not have your payment posted until the morning of the actual pay day and some of the smaller banks and credit unions may not have monies posted until later in the day.

2011 Wage and Tax Statement, W-2 Information Available in Direct Access

IRS Form W-2 information has been loaded into Direct-Access Self-Service for Coast Guard military personnel (active duty and reserve only). The W-2 data is not an "electronic" W-2 that you can print and mail with your tax return. However, the W-2 data reflects the information on the paper W-2 that was mailed from Topeka January 19/20. If you are an electronic filer, you can use the information on the Direct Access Self Service W-2 data page to prepare and file your 2011 return. Earnings and withholding information from our pay system is transmitted to the IRS, but we do not exchange W-2 data with any commercial software or tax preparation firms.

Update to OCONUS PCS Entry Approval Points

Published Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:16 CST

CG Base Honolulu was established on 11 January 2012. CG Base Honolulu replaces "PSSU Honolulu" as the Entry Approval Point for "All other Hawaii Units / American Samoa" as listed in Exhibit 1.H.3. of Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8(series). Please use the PLAD "COGARD BASE HONOLULU HI" for entry approval messages.

FY 2012 Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowance Rates and Conditions

Published Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:16 CST

In addition to any other clothing allowance authorized, an enlisted member may become entitled to an Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowance. This allowance may be authorized only for an enlisted member assigned to duty in a special organization or detail where the nature of the duty necessitates that he or she have, as a military requirement, additional quantities or special items of individual uniform clothing normally not required for most enlisted members in the same Service. The allowance is payable only once during an assignment to such duty. The allowance is not payable upon reassignment to the same type of duty during a period of continuous active duty, unless three years or more have elapsed between such assignments. Supplementary Clothing Allowances are payable when an enlisted member is assigned to:

1. The Coast Guard Academy Band.
2. The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard at CG TISCOM Alexandria, VA.
3. Duty as a Coast Guard Recruiter or duty at a U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM).
4. Ship Training Detachment, Area Training Team, Section or District Training Team, Subsistence Advisory Team, Regional Inspector.
5. Duty as Recruit Company Commander, Assistant Company Commander or Recruit Drill Instructor and meets eligibility requirements.
• Authorized upon completion of recruit company commander qualification training.
• Additional payments are not authorized because of a change in the designation of company commander, assistant company commander or recruit drill instructor.
6. Duty at a Coast Guard command police department where enlisted members are required to alter their CG uniform (sew on command patches, badges, etc.)
7. Duty aboard a Coast Guard Buoy Tender.
• This is authorized only when the commanding officer or officer in charge determines specific members of the crew require two pair of safety shoes because their duties involve additional exposure to the elements. This allowance is not payable when safety shoes can be ordered through normal supply system channels using unit's operating funds.
• Coast Guard buoy tenders for this purpose are defined as: WLB, WLM, WLI, WLIC, WLR, and WTGBs with the 120' ATON barge.
8. Active Duty and; effective 23 Dec 99, Selected Reserve Members (SELRES), requiring the wearing of the maternity uniform.
• Subsequent payments will not be authorized for more than one pregnancy within three years of the date of approval of earlier payments. ALCOAST 230/99, dated 23 Dec 99, revised guidance to COMDTNOTE 1900.9 regarding pregnant Selected Reserve Members (SELRES).
9. Gold Badge Command Master Chief (CMC) .
• Reference Commandant Instruction 1306.1 (series), Subj: Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) Program.
10. Duty as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.
• A Gold Badge CMC selected as MCPOCG is only authorized $288.00 to cover the cost of changing out rank insignia/rating badges.

The FY 2012 Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowance Rates are available at http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/mas/suppcma.asp#fy12.

Imminent Danger -- Hostile Fire Pay Procedural Update

Published Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:16 CST

On 1 January 2012 Imminent Danger - Hostile Fire Pay changed from a monthly entitlement to a prorated day-for-day entitlement. Members who performed qualifying service in designated areas prior to this change are entitled to the full monthly amount, $225, for service during any part of a month (i.e. 1 day in a designated area = $225). Members who perform qualifying service for less than a full month, on after 1 January 2012, will receive a daily prorated amount (i.e. 1 day in a designated area = $7.50).

Commandant (CG-1222) will soon be releasing an ALCOAST discussing this and other military compensation changes that were adopted in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.

Extensive system changes are necessary to fully implement the new Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay entitlement policy in JUMPS. The following procedure will be used to help minimize overpayments while reprogramming effort is underway:

The Employee Entitlements component in Direct Access has been changed to allow for the entry of actual start and stop dates on Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay transactions. Previously, the system would set the start date to the first of the month and the stop date to the last day of the month.

The Imminent Danger -- Hostile Fire Pay - This Month Only Earnings Type Code cannot be selected if the start date is 1 January 2012 or later.

Until it is reprogrammed, JUMPS will continue to process Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay transactions as monthly entitlements. PPC (mas) will query JUMPS following each update cycle to identify new Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay starts or stops (dated on or after 01 Jan 2012) and, using the actual start/stop dates entered by the SPO on the transaction in DA, submit transactions to debit and balance the member's account. The member's LES will reflect the full monthly Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay entitlement and the offsetting debits. For example, the LES for a member who served 10 days in a designated area in January 2012 will show an entitlement in the amount of $225 Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay and a deduction in the amount of $150 for Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay.

Revised DA procedures for Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay transactions are available in the Coast Guard Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) Manual, PPCINST M5231.3, see Part II, Pay Entitlements, Chapter 11, Special and Incentive Pays, Section L, Imminent Danger - Hostile Fire Pay.

PPC Advancements and Evaluations Branch Newsletter

Published Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:00:16 CST

The Winter 2012 edition of the Pay & Personnel Center Advancements and Evaluations Branch Newsletter is now available at http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/adv/advnews0112.pdf.

This edition includes articles on:

• Unsatisfactory Conduct and Not Recommended Evaluations
• Enlisted Rating Advancement Training System
• EER Tracking "In Process" Query
• How Breaks in Service May Effect SWE TIS & TIR Points
• Audit Separation Events
• Position Numbers and Department ID's
• How Long Does It Take Marks To Go Final?
• Verification of Advancement Documents in Direct Access and JUMPS
• The Use of Locally Generated EER Tracking Programs
• Completing EERs for AIRMAN Program Personnel
• Enlisted Evaluation Errors
• NOV 11 SWE Statistics

Coast Guard moves to digitize military record keeping

Published Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:16 CST

Service Lines Magazine article - "Digitizing Military Record Keeping".

2012 Federal Income Tax Withholding (Updated)

Published Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:00:16 CST

The IRS posted copies of the 2012 Percentage Method Table for Income Tax Withholding. Table 4, Monthly Payroll Period, is the table to use when computing FITW from military pay.

Note/Update: At the time this notice was prepared for release, the rate for the employee's share of social security tax was 4.2% and scheduled to increase to 6.2% for wages paid after February 29, 2012. However, Congress was discussing an extension of the 4.2% employee tax rate for social security beyond February 29, 2012. Check for updates at http://www.irs.gov/notice1036.

PCS Mileage (MALT) Rate Change 1 January 2012

Published Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:16 CST

Effective 1 January 2012, the MALT (monetary allowance in lieu of transportation) rate per authorized POC (privately owned conveyance) is $0.23 (twenty three cents) per mile. This rate is effective for all PCS travel that commences on or after 1 January 2012 (i.e., the initial travel is started).

TDY mileage rates are unchanged from 2011. They are:

• Car - $0.51
• Motorcycle - $0.48
• Airplane - $1.29

2012 CONUS Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Rates

Published Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:00:16 CST

The Defense Travel Management Office's CONUS COLA Calculator has been updated with the rates for 2012. The rates have changed for several locations and some locations have been added or removed. The locations where payment of CONUS COLA is authorized in calendar year 2012 are listed below. CONUS COLA compensates for a portion of excess non-housing costs incurred by uniformed Service members in CONUS locations, where non-housing costs are at least 8 percent above the CONUS average. CONUS COLA varies by pay grade, years of service (YOS), and whether or not the member has dependents.

For example, an E-5, with dependents, stationed in Alameda, CA will see their monthly CONUS COLA increase by $62 due to the change in the COLA index from 4% in 2011 to 6% in 2012. To calculate the amount of CONUS COLA that will be paid for a specific location by rank and number of years of service visit the CONUS COLA Calculator.

CONUS COLA LOCATIONS FOR 2012
Military Housing Areas

CALIFORNIA

• OAKLAND , CA 6%
• SAN FRANCISCO, CA 7%
• VENTURA, CA 1%
• MARIN/SONOMA, CA 4%
• SAN BERNARDINO, CA 4%
• LOS ANGELES, CA 2%
• RIVERSIDE , CA 1%
• HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA 1%
• SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA 5%
• FORT BRAGG, CA 1%
• EDWARDS AFB/PALMDALE, CA 1%

CONNECTICUT

• HARTFORD, CT 1%
• NEW HAVEN / FAIRFIELD, CT 3%

FLORIDA

• MIAMI / FT LAUDERDALE, FL 1%

ILLINOIS

• CHICAGO, IL 3%
• JOLIET ARMY DEPOT, IL 3%

MASSACHUSETTS

• BOSTON, MA 4%
• WORCESTER, MA 1%
• PLYMOUTH, MA 2%
• ESSEX COUNTY, MA 2%

MICHIGAN

• DETROIT, MI 5%

NEW JERSEY

• ATLANTIC CITY, NJ 1%
• FORT MONMOUTH / EARLS NWS, NJ 1%
• NORTHERN NEW JERSEY 1%

NEVADA

• LAKE TAHOE, NV 1%

NEW YORK

• WEST POINT, NY 2%
• LONG ISLAND, NY 2%
• NEW YORK CITY, NY 13%
• WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY 5%
• STATEN ISLAND, NY 14%

PENNSYLVANIA

• PHILADELPHIA, PA/CAMDEN, NJ 5%

RHODE ISLAND

• PROVIDENCE, RI 1%

Other Areas

California

• Amador County 1%
• Alpine County 1%
• Calaveras County 1%
• Colusa County 1%
• Glenn County 1%
• Lake County 1%
• Lassen County 1%
• Madera County 1%
• Mariposa County 1%
• Merced County 1%
• Modoc County 1%
• Plumas County 1%
• Shasta County 1%
• Siskiyou County 1%
• Tehama County 1%
• Trinity County 1%
• Tuolumne County 1%

Military Basic Pay increases 1.6 percent effective 1 January 2012

Published Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:16 CST

Download the 2012 Active and Reserve Pay tables:

• 2012 Active Duty Basic Pay Charts
• 2012 Reserve IDT Drill Pay

2012 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) Rates

Published Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:00:17 CST

BAS is meant to offset costs for a member's meals. This allowance is based in the historic origins of the military in which the military provided room and board (or rations) as part of a member's pay. This allowance is not intended to offset the costs of meals for family members.

Because BAS is intended to provide meals for the service member, its level is linked to the price of food. Therefore, each year it is adjusted based upon the increase of the price of food as measured by the USDA food cost index. This is why the increase to BAS will not necessarily be the same percentage as that applied to the increase in the pay table, as annual pay raises are linked to the increase of private sector wages.

The following Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates are the new rates effective Jan. 1, 2012.

1. Officers: $239.96
2. Enlisted: $348.44
3. Enlisted Daily Discount Meal Rate (BAS-DMR) deduction: $9.90 per day.
4. Reserve COMRATS:
   1. Breakfast - $2.32
   2. Lunch - $4.64
   3. Dinner - $4.64
5. Cadet COMRATS. Daily Rate - $11.55. (Effective 1 Jan 2012)

2011 Wage and Tax Statement (IRS Form W-2) Procedures

Published Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:16 CST

On 24 January 2011 we will began loading IRS Form W-2 information into Direct-Access Self-Service for Coast Guard military personnel (active duty and reserve only). The W-2 data is not an "electronic" W-2 that you can print and mail with your tax return. However, the W-2 data reflects the information on the paper W-2 that is mailed annually at the end of January. If you are an electronic filer, you can use the information on the Direct Access Self Service W-2 data page to prepare and file your 2011 return. Earnings and withholding information from our pay system is transmitted to the IRS, but we do not exchange W-2 data with any commercial software or tax preparation firms.

Here's an example of the self-service W-2 data page:

W-2 data will be available in Direct Access Self-Service for most active duty and reserve personnel by 25 January 2011. The W-2 data is loaded in two "batches". The first batch, scheduled for 24/25 January, will include data for the majority of our active and reserve members, possible exceptions include:

• Members whose accounts were newly established in late 2011
• Members who separated or retired in 2011
• Members who received special, "off-line", payments in December 2011.

If your W-2 data isn't available on 25 January, please check back on or after 03 February after the second batch is loaded.

Mailing of Wage and Tax Statements

Wage and Tax Statements (IRS Form W-2) are mailed no later than 31 January of each year. Lost or missing Wage and Tax Statements should be reported after 15 February. No requests will be processed before 15 February to allow for mail delivery delays.

Wage and Tax Statements are prepared after end-month cutoff in January of each year. Address changes must be entered into Direct Access prior to the cutoff for the mid-January compute cycle (04 January 2012) in order for the forms to be mailed to that address.

Requesting a duplicate Wage and Tax Statement

Completely fill in the pertaining areas, and fax it to the U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) SES in Topeka at 785 339-3784.

SPO Newsletter Issue 04/2011

Published Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:00:16 CST

The October - December issue of The SPO Newsletter is now available. This issue includes articles on:

• Questions & Answers and Best Practices from the 2011 PPC YN Symposium
• Stop Dates on Pay Entitlements
• Note From PSC-PSD-MR on Electronic Document Submissions
• Computing Good Conduct Medal Eligibility Date
• 2012 BAH Rates
• 2012 TSP Limits and New Plan Options
• Travel AO News
• SPO Pending Pay and Separations Transactions Query
• SPO Pending SOI Query

Issue 04/11 -- October - December 2011

Computing Good Conduct Medal Eligibility Date

Published Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:00:16 CST

The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal is awarded for satisfactory service which is defined as proficiency in rating, sobriety, obedience, industry, courage, and neatness throughout such period of service.

An individual is required to perform three consecutive years of satisfactory service to earn this award. Subsequent awards are authorized for each additional three consecutive years of satisfactory service. The three year period starts over anytime the member's conduct or performance do not meet the standards.

When issuing a Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal you need to be sure you are using the correct start date for computing the three year satisfactory service requirement. The period of eligibility begins on one of the following dates, whichever is later:

• Date of entry into the Coast Guard.
• Day following the previous CG Good Conduct Medal award date (e. g. Member awarded CGGM on 13 October 2009. The eligibility period for the next CGGM begins on 14 October 2009 and ends on 13 October 2012).
• Date of release from confinement following conviction by court-martial.
• Day following conviction by court-martial (if no confinement is included in the approved sentence).
• Day following the date non-judicial punishment is awarded.
• Day following return to Coast Guard jurisdiction if convicted by civil authorities.
• Day following the end of the marking period in which the member received a conduct mark of "Unsatisfactory".
• Day following the end of the marking period in which the total average mark in any factor was less than three.

The procedure for calculating the three year satisfactory service requirement is similar to calculating an expiration of enlistment as shown in the following example:

The Computing Good Conduct Medal Eligibility Date guide provides additional example calculations.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates for 2012

Published Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 1100:16 CST

The 2012 BAH rates have been posted on the Defense Travel Management Office's BAH Calculator. Just enter the zip code for your duty station, your pay grade, and hit the calculator button. A new window will open to display the with and without dependents rates.

If you would like to know what happens to your pay when the BAH rate for your area is reduced from the previous year or how BAH rates are determined, or have any other questions about BAH, checkout the BAH FAQ.

2012 Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Limits and New Options

Published Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:00:16 CST

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 2012 contribution limits

You can contribute up to $17,000 in tax-deferred money to the TSP in 2012. If you are a member of the uniformed services (serving in a combat zone), you can contribute a total of $50,000 in tax-deferred and tax-exempt money. If you will be age 50 or over in 2012, you can also contribute up to $5,500 in additional "catch-up" contributions, as long as your regular contributions for the year are expected to reach the $17,000 limit. (The catch-up contribution limit has not changed from 2011.)

Note: Employees may start, stop, or change Catch-Up contributions at any time. Catch-Up elections do not automatically continue, therefore new elections must be made for each calendar year. Coast Guard military personnel should complete form Tsp-U-1-C and fax ((785) 339-3760) or mail it to PPC (MAS) to start their 2012 TSP Catch-Up contributions. Mail completed forms to PPC (MAS-TSP):

Commanding Officer (MAS-TSP)
Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center
444 SE Quincy Street
Topeka, KS 66683-3591

Roth 401(k) Feature Expected in Second Quarter of 2012

The TSP will begin to offer a Roth 401(k) feature in the second quarter of 2012. A Roth 401(k) feature in the TSP will combine all the benefits of TSP retirement savings with the after-tax benefits of a Roth savings plan. You will not get the benefits of tax-deferred savings (an upfront tax deduction) on your Roth contributions as you do with your traditional TSP contributions, but your Roth savings will grow tax-free. When you withdraw your Roth contributions and associated earnings in retirement, you will pay no Federal income taxes on them, as long as you are at least age 59 and a half and have been making Roth contributions for a minimum of 5 years. When the time draws near to implement the TSP Roth 401(k), the TSP will make information available to help you decide whether Roth savings will benefit you (as compared to tax-deferred savings). Direct-Access, JUMPS, the payroll systems of other agencies and the TSP record keeping and accounting systems will all have to be significantly modified to accommodate the Roth feature. The TSP expects to begin accepting contributions the second quarter of 2012.

The TSP has a Fact Sheet available with more information on the TSP-Roth option .