TSP to Gold IRA Rollover: The Complete Guide for Federal Employees & Military (2026)

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the retirement savings program for federal employees and military service members — roughly the government equivalent of a 401(k). If you’ve separated from federal service, retired from the military, or are approaching retirement with a substantial TSP balance, you have the option to roll your TSP into a Gold IRA. This guide covers everything you need to know about a TSP to Gold IRA rollover in 2026, including what’s allowed, what isn’t, and how to do it correctly.

Affiliate disclosure: This page contains sponsored links to Augusta Precious Metals, Birch Gold Group, and other Gold IRA companies. If you request an information kit or open an account through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This compensation does not influence our editorial reviews or comparisons.

Can You Roll a TSP Into a Gold IRA?

Yes — but with one critical condition: you must have separated from federal service (retired, resigned, or completed your military service). Active federal employees and active-duty military cannot roll their TSP into an IRA while still employed (with limited exceptions for certain in-service withdrawal situations).

Once separated, you have broad flexibility. Your TSP balance can be rolled into a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or a self-directed IRA — including a Gold IRA. The rollover is tax-free when done as a direct rollover.

TSP Rollover Rules in 2026

• Who can roll over: Separated federal employees and retired military. Active employees generally cannot roll the TSP while still employed.
• Direct rollover: TSP sends funds directly to your new Gold IRA custodian. No taxes withheld, no 60-day deadline to worry about. This is the recommended method.
• Indirect rollover: TSP sends you a check. You deposit it into your Gold IRA within 60 days. TSP is required to withhold 20% for taxes — you must make up the withheld amount from other funds to avoid taxes on that portion. Complicated and risky. Avoid this method if possible.
• Roth TSP rollover: Roth TSP balances must roll into a Roth IRA (not a traditional IRA). You can roll a Roth TSP into a Roth Gold IRA.
• Traditional TSP rollover: Rolls into a traditional (pre-tax) Gold IRA. Taxes are deferred until you take distributions.

TSP Funds Available and What You Lose When You Leave

The TSP offers five core funds (G, F, C, S, I) plus lifecycle (L) funds. These are institutional-grade index funds with extremely low expense ratios — often 0.05% or less. When you roll out of the TSP, you give up those extremely low fees.

That said, many former federal employees decide that gaining access to physical assets — specifically gold and silver — through a Gold IRA is worth the trade-off, particularly for a portion of their balance. A common approach is to roll a portion of the TSP into a Gold IRA while keeping some TSP balance in the low-cost funds or rolling other portions into a conventional IRA.

Why Federal Retirees Consider TSP-to-Gold IRA Rollovers

Federal workers and military retirees often receive FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) or military pension as a guaranteed income stream. With that baseline covered, a Gold IRA from the TSP rollover adds physical assets to their retirement savings strategy — assets that operate independently of stock market performance and the paper-based TSP funds.

For military retirees, who have spent careers in service of national security, there’s often a philosophical alignment with holding tangible assets — physical gold and silver — alongside the pension system they’ve earned.

How to Roll Your TSP Into a Gold IRA: Step-by-Step

1. Confirm you are separated from federal service. The TSP will not process a rollover request from an active employee (with limited exceptions).
2. Choose a Gold IRA company. Augusta Precious Metals specializes in IRA rollovers and handles all coordination. Call 844-977-0427 to start the conversation.
3. Open your self-directed IRA account. Augusta coordinates with a custodian to open your account. All paperwork is handled remotely.
4. Request a direct rollover from TSP. Complete TSP Form TSP-70 (full withdrawal) or TSP-77 (partial withdrawal) and specify “direct rollover to IRA.” The TSP sends funds directly to your new custodian — no withholding, no 60-day clock.
5. Select your metals. Once funds arrive at the custodian (typically 2-4 weeks from TSP processing), choose from IRS-approved gold and silver products through Augusta.
6. Metals deposited at approved depository. Your metals are stored at a facility like Delaware Depository in your name. You receive documentation confirming your holdings.

TSP to Gold IRA: Tax Considerations

A direct rollover from a traditional TSP to a traditional Gold IRA is not a taxable event — no taxes are due in the year of the rollover. Taxes apply when you take distributions from the Gold IRA in retirement, at your ordinary income tax rate at that time.

Rolling a traditional TSP into a Roth Gold IRA (a Roth conversion) is a taxable event — the converted amount is added to your taxable income in the conversion year. This can make sense in certain situations (low-income years, long time horizon, desire for tax-free retirement income), but requires careful planning. Consult a tax professional before executing a Roth conversion of TSP funds.

TSP Rollover vs. Keeping Funds in TSP

Before rolling your full TSP into a Gold IRA, consider these trade-offs:

Frequently Asked Questions — TSP to Gold IRA

Can I roll my TSP into a Gold IRA while still working for the federal government?
Generally no. In-service rollovers from the TSP are limited to age-based withdrawals (59½+) in some cases, or hardship withdrawals (which do not qualify for rollover). Most active federal employees must wait until separation to roll their TSP into a Gold IRA.

Is there a penalty for rolling my TSP into a Gold IRA after retirement?
No — a direct rollover from TSP to a traditional Gold IRA after separation is not subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty (if you are 59½ or older, or if you separated from service in or after the year you turned 55). The rollover itself is not a taxable event.

How long does a TSP-to-Gold IRA rollover take?
TSP processing typically takes 7-14 business days after receiving your withdrawal form. After funds arrive at the Gold IRA custodian, metal purchase and depository delivery takes another 1-2 weeks. Plan for 3-6 weeks total.

What TSP forms do I need?
Use TSP-70 for a full withdrawal or TSP-77 for a partial withdrawal. Specify “direct rollover to IRA” on the form. Your Gold IRA company (Augusta) will provide the custodian’s information for the transfer. You can also initiate online through your TSP account at tsp.gov.