TSP Withdrawal Form Online: How to Use the My Account Withdrawal Wizard

The Old Paper Forms Are Gone

If you are searching for a downloadable TSP withdrawal form to print and mail, stop — those forms no longer exist for post-separation withdrawals. The TSP retired the paper-based Form TSP-70 (Request for Full Withdrawal) and Form TSP-77 (Request for Partial Withdrawal) years ago. All post-separation withdrawal requests now go through the online withdrawal wizard in My Account at TSP.gov.

The wizard dynamically generates Form TSP-99 (WEB), which is specific to your account, your marital status, and your elected distribution type. You cannot download a blank TSP-99 from a government forms site — the system creates it based on your inputs.

Before You Start: Three Prerequisites

1. Your status must show "Separated." Log into My Account and check your Civilian Employment Status under Personal Details. If it still shows "Active," your agency has not yet transmitted the separation code to the TSP recordkeeper. This typically takes 30 to 45 days after your last day. You cannot access the withdrawal wizard until this status changes.

2. You must be separated for at least 31 consecutive days. Even after the status updates, the TSP requires a minimum 31-day separation period before processing any post-separation distribution.

3. Your bank account must clear the 7-day hold. If you added new direct deposit information to My Account, the TSP enforces a mandatory 7-calendar-day security hold before any funds can be sent to that account. Add your banking details well before you plan to submit a withdrawal request.

Walking Through the Withdrawal Wizard

Once your account is eligible, navigate to My Account and select "Withdrawals and Rollovers" from the menu. The wizard walks you through a series of screens:

Distribution type. Choose between a partial withdrawal (minimum $1,000), installment payments (monthly, quarterly, or annual), a total distribution, or a life annuity purchase through MetLife. You can also elect a direct rollover to an IRA or another eligible employer plan.

Source selection. Specify whether you want the distribution drawn from your traditional (pre-tax) balance, your Roth (after-tax) balance, or proportionally from both. This choice affects your tax liability — traditional distributions are taxed as ordinary income, while qualified Roth distributions are tax-free.

Rollover instructions. If you are rolling funds to an external account, you will enter the receiving institution's name, address, and your account number. For a direct rollover, the TSP issues a check made payable to the custodian "for the benefit of" you — not to you personally. This keeps it tax-free.

Tax withholding election. For partial withdrawals and short-term installments (scheduled for fewer than 10 years), the TSP withholds a mandatory 20% for federal income tax. For installments scheduled for 10 years or longer, you can adjust the withholding rate. The wizard shows you the defaults and lets you make changes.

Review and confirmation. The wizard generates Form TSP-99 (WEB) summarizing your elections. Review every detail carefully — once submitted, most distribution types are irreversible.

When Spousal Consent Is Required

If you are married and covered under FERS, the wizard will flag the spousal consent requirement. At this point, you have two options:

If your spouse is present and you have access to a notary: Some participants complete the entire process in one session by printing Form TSP-99 (WEB), getting the notarized spousal signature immediately, and uploading the signed document through the secure portal.

If you need time to arrange notarization: The wizard allows you to save your elections and return later. Print the generated form, take it to a notary with your spouse, and upload the completed document when ready.

For CSRS participants, no spousal signature is required — the TSP handles the written notification to your spouse automatically.

Common Errors That Reject Your Request

Name mismatches. If your legal name on the TSP does not exactly match your agency records or your bank account, the system may flag the discrepancy. Resolve name issues through the ThriftLine (1-877-968-3778) before starting the wizard.

Incomplete spousal consent. The notarized signature must be on the specific Form TSP-99 (WEB) generated by the wizard for your request — not on a separate letter or an older form version. If the notary's seal or signature is incomplete, the TSP will reject the submission.

Account lockout. Three failed login attempts lock your account for 30 minutes. If you are locked out permanently, use the online self-service credential reset tool or call the ThriftLine.

Outstanding loan hold. If you have an active TSP loan that has been flagged for foreclosure, the withdrawal wizard may restrict certain distribution options until the loan status is resolved.

Processing Times After Submission

Once your withdrawal request is approved, the TSP processes the transaction. The timeline varies:

• Direct deposits typically settle in your bank account within 10 to 15 business days after approval.
• Rollover checks are mailed via first-class mail to the receiving institution (or to you, to forward).
• Installment payments begin on the next available payment cycle after approval.

You can cancel or modify a pending request only until 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the scheduled processing date. After that cutoff, the transaction is final.

For a detailed walkthrough of each distribution type, including the tax withholding math and spousal consent process, the TSP Withdrawal & Drawdown Strategy Guide covers the complete transaction sequence.

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