The Thrift Savings Plan has released its processing schedule for January 2026. It contains important updates for TSP participants regarding tax forms, recalculated life expectancy installments, and upcoming required minimum distributions. Key notices and options for receiving payments efficiently are included in the latest communication.
A copy of the January 2026 processing schedule is included below.
IRS Form 1099-R — In mid-January, the TSP will mail IRS Form 1099-R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., to participants who received a withdrawal and/or a taxed or foreclosed loan between January 1 and December 31, 2025. (Due to required processing time, withdrawals requested after noon eastern time on December 29, 2025, will be considered taxable income for 2026.) A copy of your 2025 Form 1099-R will also be available in your My Account secure participant mailbox by mid-February. If needed, corrected forms will be issued within three weeks of verifying the correction. If you’re expecting a corrected Form 1099-R, you may wish to wait to file your taxes until you receive the form.
Life expectancy recalculation notices — TSP life expectancy installments will be recalculated according to required updates to the assumptions used in determining those amounts. In early January, we will send notices with more information, including the recalculated amounts, to participants receiving those installments. Notices will go out based on participants’ delivery preferences on file (by mail or online through the secure participant mailbox in My Account).
Required minimum distribution (RMD) notices — In early January, we will send RMD calculation notices to separated participants who will be 73 and older in 2026 and to spousal beneficiaries with RMDs due for the 2026 calendar year. Notices will go out based on participants’ delivery preferences on file (by mail or online through the secure participant mailbox in My Account).
Elect to receive your installments and/or RMDs by direct deposit — If you haven’t done so already, we strongly encourage you to add direct deposit information in My Account to receive any installments and/or RMDs quickly and easily. Log in to My Account at tsp.gov and go to the Financial Institutions page to add or update your direct deposit information today.
