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Fill Out Your Tsp 3 Form

The TSP-3 Form, known as the Designation of Beneficiary form, is crucial for federal employees and members of the uniformed services. This form allows you to name who will receive your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account after your death. It's essential to complete this form correctly to ensure your assets go to the intended beneficiaries.

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The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Form TSP-3 serves a crucial function for federal employees and members of the uniformed services by enabling participants to designate beneficiaries for their retirement savings. By completing this form, individuals can specify who will receive the assets in their TSP account upon their death. This designation overrides the statutory order of precedence, which would otherwise dictate the distribution of funds. It is essential to ensure that all sections of the form are filled out correctly, as any mistakes, such as crossing out or altering information, could render the form invalid. The TSP-3 forms remain in effect until a new designation is submitted or all prior designations are canceled. Participants are encouraged to keep their beneficiary designations current, especially during significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. Should a participant name multiple beneficiaries, it is crucial to ensure the total shares add up to 100%. Upon processing, a confirmation will be sent, providing peace of mind that the designated wishes have been noted. In the event that a participant wishes to cancel previous designations, a simple check in the appropriate section of the form suffices, applying the statutory scheme for distribution.

Tsp 3 Example

Thrift Savings Plan

Form TSP-3

Designation of Beneficiary

May 2017

For federal civilian employees, members of the uniformed services, and beneficiary participants

If you would like your TSP account to be distributed according to the statutory order of precedence, do not complete this form. (See the first page of the instructions for an explanation of the order of precedence.)

Use this form to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account after your death. This Designation of Beneficiary form will stay in effect until you submit another valid Form TSP-3 naming other beneficiaries or canceling all prior designations. The beneficiary designation(s) you provide on this form will automatically cancel all previous designations you submitted. Complete this form in accordance with the instructions. Do not cross out, erase, or otherwise change any information you provide on this form. Make a copy of this form for your records and send the original to the TSP. If you are an active employee or service member, do not give this form to your agency or service.

Mail the original to: Thrift Savings Plan

P.O. Box 385021

Birmingham, AL 35238

Or fax to: 1-866-817-5023

If you have questions, call the toll-free ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 or the TDD at 1-877-847-4385. Outside the U.S. and Canada, please call 404-233-4400 (not toll free).

You will receive a confirmation of your designation once your form is processed.

Check to make sure of the following:

You provide your name and account number on each page that you submit to the TSP.



You print legibly.

You sign all pages you complete (including any extra pages you add) on the same date.

You have the same witness sign and date all pages—including any extra pages—after you sign and date the form. The witness cannot be named as a beneficiary.

You do not alter this form or any information you provide on it.

Your primary beneficiaries’ shares add up to 100%.

If you name contingent beneficiaries, you name a primary beneficiary for each contingent beneficiary.

The shares of contingent beneficiaries (if any) total 100% for each primary beneficiary.

You do not submit your will or direct us to make a designation according to your will.

You address this form to:

Thrift Savings Plan

P.O. Box 385021

Birmingham, AL 35238

Form TSP-3 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN

TSP-3

DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY

I. PARTICIPANT INFORMATION—This applies to my:

Civilian

Uniformed Services

Beneficiary Participant Account

Last Name

First Name

Middle Name

TSP Account NumberDate of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)Daytime Phone (Area Code and Number)

Foreign address?

Check here.

Street Address or Box Number

Street Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

II.CANCELLATION—To cancel all previous designations without designating new beneficiaries, check the box below. In the event of your death, payment from the TSP will be made according to the statutory order of precedence set by the United States Code (5 U.S.C. § 8424(d)).

Check here only to cancel all prior beneficiary designations without naming new beneficiaries. (Also complete Section IV.)

III. PRIMARY BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

IV. SIGNATURES—This entire form is valid only if all pages are signed, dated, and then witnessed by the same person. The witness must be age 21 or older and cannot be a primary or contingent beneficiary of any portion of this TSP account. By signing below, the witness affirms that the participant either signed in the witness's presence or informed the witness that he or she signed it earlier.

				/			/
Participant Signature		Date Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)

Check here and go to Page 2 if naming more than 3 primary beneficiaries.

Witness SignatureDate Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)Witness Print Full Name

FORM TSP-3, Page 1 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

* P I I S 0 0 2 2 8 7 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 P I I S *

Do Not Write In This Section

FORM TSP-3, INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAGES 1 AND 2

This form stays in effect until you submit another valid Form TSP-3 naming other beneficiaries or canceling all prior designations. It does not affect the disposition of any other benefits you may have such as a FERS Basic Annuity, a CSRS annuity, or military retired pay.

SECTION I—Participant Information. For this and all sections of this form, carefully type or print the requested information inside the boxes, where provided, using black or dark blue ink. For beneficiary addresses print or type legibly in the spaces provided.

Complete this form only if you want payment to be made in a way other than the following statutory order of precedence:

1.	To your spouse
2.	If none, to your child or children equally, with the share due any
	deceased child divided equally among that child’s descendants
3.	If none, to your parents equally or to your surviving parent
4.	If none, to the appointed executor or administrator of your estate
5.	If none, to your next of kin who is entitled to your estate under
	the laws of the state in which you resided at the time of your

Correct

C O RR E C T

3 / 6 / 1 9 8 2

EXAMPLES

Incorrect

I NCORRECT

3 / 6 / 19 82

death

As used here, “child” means either a biological child or a child adopted by the participant. It does not include your stepchild or foster child unless you have adopted the child. Nor does it include your biological child if that child has been adopted by someone other than your spouse.

“Parents” does not include stepparents who have not adopted you.

Making a valid designation. To name specific beneficiaries to receive your TSP account after you die, you must complete this form, and

it must be received by the TSP on or before the date of your death. Only a Form TSP-3 is valid for designating beneficiaries to your TSP account(s); a will or court order (e.g., divorce decree) is not valid for the disposition of a TSP account. You may, however, designate your estate or a trust as a beneficiary on Form TSP-3.

You are responsible for ensuring that each page of your Form TSP-3 is properly completed, signed, and witnessed. Do not submit an altered form; it may be deemed invalid. If you need to correct or change the information you have entered on the form, start over on a new form.

Changing or canceling your designation of beneficiary. To cancel a Form TSP-3 already on file, follow the instructions for Section II.

Keep your designation (and your beneficiaries’ addresses) current. It is a good idea to review how you have designated your beneficiaries from time to time—particularly when your life situation changes (e.g., through marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or the death of a beneficiary).

By law, the TSP must pay your properly designated beneficiary under all circumstances. For example, if you designate your spouse as a beneficiary of your TSP account, that spouse will be entitled to death benefits, even if you are separated or divorced from that spouse and have remarried. This is true even if the spouse you designated gave up all rights to your TSP account(s). Consequently, if your life situation changes, you may want to file a new Form TSP-3 that changes or cancels your current beneficiary designation.

Unless you designate a contingent beneficiary, the share of any primary beneficiary who dies before you do will be distributed proportionally among the surviving designated TSP beneficiaries. If none of your designated beneficiaries are alive at the time of your death, the statutory order of precedence will be followed.

Check the box that indicates whether you intend your beneficiary(ies) to receive funds from your civilian, uniformed services, or beneficiary participant account (i.e., an account inherited by the spouse of a deceased TSP participant). If you have a civilian and a uniformed services account and want to designate the same beneficiaries and shares for both accounts, check both boxes. To designate different beneficiaries for each account, you must submit two forms. If you have a civilian and/or uniformed services account in addition to a beneficiary participant account, you will need to complete an additional Form TSP-3 to designate beneficiaries for your beneficiary participant account. If you have more than one beneficiary participant account, you will need to complete a separate TSP-3 form for each beneficiary participant account since every beneficiary participant account has its own account number. Note: To avoid the possibility of having your form rejected, be sure to provide the correct account number (civilian, uniformed services, or beneficiary participant) and check the correct box(es) that corresponds to the account for which you want to designate beneficiaries.

If you have a foreign address, check the box to indicate this.

SECTION II—Cancellation. To cancel a Form TSP-3 already on file without naming new beneficiaries, check the box in this section, sign and date the form, and have it witnessed. If you check this box, your account will be paid according to the order of precedence described earlier. Do not complete this section if you intend to name new beneficiaries in Section III. Your new designation(s) will automatically cancel any previous designation(s) on file with the TSP.

Form TSP-3 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

Name:

TSP Account Number:

(Last, First, Middle)

ADDITIONAL PRIMARY BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

Make a copy of this blank page to designate additional primary beneficiaries.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation						Share:

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Foreign address? Check here.

		/	/
Participant Signature	Date Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)
		/	/
		/	/

Check here if naming more primary beneficiaries. (See instructions for submitting additional pages.)

Witness Signature	Date Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)

Do Not Write In This Section	FORM TSP-3, Page 2 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

FORM TSP-3, INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAGES 1 AND 2 (continued)

SECTION III—Primary Beneficiary Designations. You may name any person, a trust, your estate, or a legal entity/corporation as a beneficiary. Note: If the beneficiary is a minor child, benefits will be made payable directly to the child. To designate a custodian for your minor child, you may want to consider using a Uniformed Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) form. Contact the ThriftLine for additional information about this form.

Enter the share for each beneficiary as a whole percentage. Percentages for the primary beneficiaries must total 100%. Do not use fractions or decimals.

To name a primary beneficiary:

•Check the box that indicates the beneficiary’s relationship to you.

•For each individual you designate, enter the full name, share, address, and date of birth or Social Security number (SSN) or other tax ID (such as an Employer Identification Number [EIN]).

•If the beneficiary is a trust, check the box marked “Trust.” Enter the name of the trust and the trustee’s name and address in the spaces indicated. Enter the EIN, if available. Leave the date of birth boxes blank. Note: Filling out this form will not create a trust; you must have a trust that is already established.

•If the beneficiary is your estate, check the box marked “Estate.” Enter the name of the estate and the executor’s name and address in the spaces indicated. Enter the EIN, if available. Leave the date of birth boxes blank.

•If the beneficiary is a legal entity or corporation, check the box marked “Legal Entity/Corporation.” Enter the name of the entity in the boxes indicated. Enter the legal representative’s name in the boxes marked “Trustee/Executor,” and provide the legal representative’s address. Enter the EIN, if known. Leave the date of birth boxes blank.

If you are naming more than 3 primary beneficiaries, use Page 2 of this form. Use photocopies of a blank Page 2 if you are naming more than that page allows. Enter your name and TSP account number on the top of each page, and follow the instructions for completing Section III. You must sign and date all additional pages. The same witness who signed Page 1 must also sign and date all pages that you submit to the TSP.

If you want to designate contingent beneficiaries, complete Section V on Page 3.

EXAMPLES. Below are examples of how to designate primary beneficiaries.

EXAMPLES OF DESIGNATING PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES

DESIGNATING MULTIPLE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES

Relationship to you:



Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 1066 CHURCHILL LANE, TUCSON, AZ 85735-3003

Foreign address?

Check here.



Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 21 NORTH LAKEWOOD DRIVE, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70124-1920

Foreign address?

Check here.



Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

DESIGNATING A TRUST



Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 1111 DELAWARE LANE, NEW YORK, NY 14607-8295

Foreign address?

Check here.

DESIGNATING AN ESTATE



Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 150 ROSSMOYNE DRIVE, ALAMEDA, CA 94510-7481

Foreign address?

Check here.

DESIGNATING A LEGAL ENTITY/CORPORATION



Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 1506 ARBOR ROAD, MIRAMAR, FL 33028-1234

Foreign address?	Address: 64730 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, SUITE 240A, BETHESDA, MD 20815-0637
Check here.

Foreign address? Check here.

SECTION IV—Signatures. Sign and date the form on all pages on the same date. Do not ask an individual you name as a beneficiary of your TSP account to witness your Form TSP-3. A person named as a primary or contingent beneficiary of your TSP account who is also your witness cannot receive a share of the account. The witness must be age 21 or older.

PRIVACY ACT NOTICE. We are authorized to request the information you provide on this form under 5 U.S.C. chapter 84, Federal Employees Retirement System. We will use this information to identify your TSP account and to process your request. In addition, this information may be shared with other federal agencies for statistical, auditing,

or archiving purposes. We may share the information with law enforcement agencies investigating a violation of civil or criminal law, or agencies implementing a statute, rule,

or order. It may be shared with congressional offices, private sector audit firms, spouses, former spouses, and beneficiaries, and their attorneys. We may disclose relevant portions of the information to appropriate parties engaged in litigation and for other routine uses as specified in the Federal Register. You are not required by law to provide this information, but if you do not provide it, we will not be able to process your request.

Form TSP-3 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Address:

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Foreign address? Check here.

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

Name:

TSP Account Number:

(Last, First, Middle)

V. CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS—

ontingent beneficiary must be linked to a primary beneficiary. You

cannot link a contingent beneficiary to another contingent beneficiary. Make a copy of this blank page to designate additional contingent beneficiaries.
Relationship to you:	Spouse	Other Individual	TrustEEstate	Legal Entity/Corporation	Share:	%

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Foreign address? Check here.

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Foreign address? Check here.

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Foreign address? Check here.

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Check here if naming more

contingent beneficiaries. (See

Participant Signature

Date Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)

instructions for submitting

additional pages.)

Witness Signature

Date Signed (mm/dd/yyyy)

Do Not Write In This Section

FORM TSP-3, Page 3 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

FORM TSP-3, INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAGE 3

SECTION V—Contingent Beneficiary Designations.

ou are not naming contingent beneficiariesoee. You may tdesignate e one or more contingent beneficiaries for each primary beneficiary you name. The contingent beneficiary(ies) you name will receive the portion of the TSP account that you designated for a specific primary beneficiary who dies before you do.

Example: Joe Brown is one of your two primary beneficiaries, and his share is 30% of your account. If you designate Mary Brown and Sue Brown (Joe‘s daughters) as his contingent beneficiaries, and each is to get 50%, each would get 50% of Joe‘s portion. Since Joe’s share is 30% of your account, each will get 15% of your account. (You cannot designate contingent beneficiaries for contingent beneficiaries. In this case, you cannot designate contingent beneficiaries for Mary or Sue Brown.) For another example of this situation, see Example 2 below.

Check the box that indicates the contingent beneficiary’s relationship to you. If you are only naming one contingent beneficiary for a primary beneficiary, the share for that contingent beneficiary must be 100%. If you name more than one contingent beneficiary for a primary beneficiary, the combined share values for those contingent beneficiaries must equal 100%.

Provide the identifying information for contingent beneficiaries according to the instructions for designating primary beneficiaries

in Section III. For each contingent beneficiary you designate, enter the full name, share, address, and Social Security number (SSN) or other tax ID (such as Employer Identification Number [EIN]). If you do not have all the requested information, you must provide at least the contingent beneficiary’s name and share. You must also provide the primary beneficiary’s name and tax ID information (e.g., SSN or EIN, if available) or date of birth.

If you want to name the same contingent beneficiary for multiple primary beneficiaries, list your contingent beneficiary multiple times in order to link it to each primary beneficiary.

If you are naming more contingent beneficiaries than will fit on one page, photocopy a blank Page 3 of this form. Enter your name and TSP account number on the top of each page and follow the instructions for completing Section V. You must sign and date all additional pages. The same witness who signed Page 1 must also sign and date all pages that you submit to the TSP.

Note: If a named beneficiary dies, you may prefer to submit another Form TSP-3 to change your designation(s).

EXAMPLES. Below are examples of how to designate contingent beneficiaries.

EXAMPLES OF DESIGNATING CONTINGENT BENEFICIARIES

EXAMPLE 1

Relationship to you:

Spouse Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 1066 CHURCHILL LANE, TUCSON, AZ 85735-3003

Foreign address?

Check here.

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

I, A

EXAMPLE 2

Spouse Other Individual

Relationship to you:

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 1492 ARIGOLD AENUE, ROCKLAWN, CA 94510-9876

Foreign address?

Check here.

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Spouse Other Individual

Relationship to you:

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address:

2007 IRIS COURT, ROCKLAWN, CA 94510-9877

Foreign address?

Check here.

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

I,,

EXAMP

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Other Individual

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: 92 OAK STREET, BOISE, ID 83709-21

Foreign address?

Check here.

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

I, SSW

EXAMP

Other Individual

Relationship to you:

Spouse

Trust

Estate

Legal Entity/Corporation

2 3

Name of Individual (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID

Name of Trustee/Executor (if applicable)

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address: ARKANSAS DRIVE, CHICAO, IL

Foreign address?

Check here.

Contingent to which primary beneficiary?

Name (Last, First, Middle)/Trust/Estate/Legal Entity or Corporation

SSN/EIN/Tax ID or Date of Birth

Form TSP-3 (5/2017)

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE

Get Tsp 3 PDF Form

Form Characteristics

Fact Name	Description
Applicable Users	The TSP-3 form is designed for federal civilian employees, members of the uniformed services, and beneficiary participants.
Purpose	This form allows an individual to designate beneficiaries who will receive their Thrift Savings Plan account after their death.
Order of Precedence	If the TSP-3 form is not completed, account distribution follows a statutory order of precedence set by 5 U.S.C. § 8424(d).
Form Validity	The designation remains in effect until a new TSP-3 form is submitted or all previous designations are canceled.
Submission Instructions	The completed form must be mailed to the Thrift Savings Plan in Birmingham, AL or faxed to the indicated number.
Signature Requirements	All pages of the form must be signed and witnessed by the same person, who cannot be a beneficiary.
Changes and Updates	Any changes in personal circumstances, such as marriage or divorce, should prompt a review and possible amendment of the beneficiary designations.

Guidelines on Utilizing Tsp 3

Completing the TSP-3 form for the Thrift Savings Plan is a crucial step for anyone wishing to designate beneficiaries for their account. Once submitted, this form ensures that the selected beneficiaries receive funds after your passing. The following instructions outline a clear process to fill out the form accurately and ensure it is processed without delay.

Begin with Section I: Participant Information.
Fill in your last name, first name, and middle name as it appears on official records.
Enter your TSP account number and date of birth in the required format.
Provide a daytime phone number where you can be reached.
If you have a foreign address, check the appropriate box and fill in your address details, including city, state, and zip code.
Proceed to Section II: Cancellation only if you intend to cancel all previous beneficiary designations without naming new ones. Otherwise, skip to Section III.
In Section III: Primary Beneficiary Designations, list each primary beneficiary's name, relationship to you, and their share in percentage terms. The total must equal 100%.
Input the Social Security Number or Tax ID for each beneficiary along with their date of birth and address. Ensure clarity when printing this information.
If you need to designate more than three primary beneficiaries, make a copy of the form and repeat this section.
For any additional information, consult the extra pages provided at the end of the form.
Proceed to Section IV: Signatures. Sign the form and date it, ensuring your signature matches across all pages.
Have a witness, aged 21 or older, sign and date the form. This witness cannot be a beneficiary.
Before submitting, make a copy of the entire form for your records.
Mail the signed original form to the address provided:

Thrift Savings Plan
P.O. Box 385021
Birmingham, AL 35238

Alternatively, you may fax the form to 1-866-817-5023.

Once the TSP processes your submission, you will receive a confirmation of your designation. Regular reviews of your beneficiary selections are advisable, especially when significant life events occur, to ensure that your wishes remain current and accurately reflected.

What You Should Know About This Form

What is the TSP-3 form used for?

The TSP-3 form, known as the Designation of Beneficiary form, is used by federal civilian employees, members of the uniformed services, and beneficiary participants to specify who should receive their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account after their death. By completing this form, individuals can choose beneficiaries outside of the statutory order of precedence established by law. If the form is not completed, the account will be distributed according to this default order, typically prioritizing a spouse, children, or other relatives.

How do I complete the TSP-3 form correctly?

To complete the TSP-3 form correctly, first, ensure that you fill out all required personal details accurately, including your name, TSP account number, and contact information. When designating beneficiaries, you must specify their names, relationships to you, and the percentage of your account they will receive. Be careful to ensure the total shares add up to 100%. It is essential to sign and date all pages and have a witness sign and date them as well. The witness cannot be designated as a beneficiary. Lastly, do not alter the form in any way, as this could lead to it being deemed invalid.

What happens to my beneficiaries if I fill out this form?

If you fill out the TSP-3 form with beneficiary designations, those designations automatically cancel any previous ones you submitted. Consequently, when you pass away, the account will be distributed strictly based on the most recent beneficiary designations you made. If any of your primary beneficiaries die before you, the share designated to them will be divided among the remaining beneficiaries, unless you have also specified contingent beneficiaries.

Can I cancel or change my beneficiary designations?

Yes, you can cancel or change your beneficiary designations by completing a new TSP-3 form. If you decide to cancel all previous designations without naming new beneficiaries, there is a specific box on the form for that purpose. When you submit a new Form TSP-3, it will automatically override any existing beneficiary designations. Regularly reviewing your beneficiary designations is advised, especially after significant life changes like marriage or divorce.

How do I ensure that my TSP-3 form is submitted properly?

To ensure proper submission, make a copy of the completed form for your records and send the original to the TSP address specified in the instructions. Do not hand this form directly to your agency or service if you are an active employee or service member. Validating your submission includes making sure all information is legible, confirmed by your witness, and that all signatures are dated on the same day. Additionally, double-check that you have written your account number accurately to avoid rejection of the form.

Common mistakes

Filling out the TSP-3 form can be a straightforward process, but it's easy to make mistakes. Many people accidentally leave out critical information like their name and account number on each page. Omitting this information can lead to delays in processing the form. Always ensure that your details are included to avoid unnecessary complications.

Another common mistake is not printing legibly. If the TSP staff can't read your handwriting, they may struggle to process your application. Make it easier for them by using black or dark blue ink and taking your time to write clearly. Your effort here will pay off in the long run.

Signing and dating the form is crucial, yet some may overlook this important step. Each page must be signed on the same date. If you add extra pages for more beneficiaries, don’t forget to sign those as well. The signatures verify that you’ve completed the form correctly, so don’t skip this part!

Witnessing the form correctly is another area where mistakes are often made. The same witness must sign and date all pages, including any extra ones. It’s worth noting that the witness cannot be listed as a beneficiary, which can complicate things if not recognized early on. Following this rule helps ensure the validity of your form.

People sometimes forget to ensure that the shares of primary beneficiaries add up to 100%. If they don’t, the TSP might reject the form. Double-check the math before submitting; your beneficiaries deserve a smooth transition when the time comes.

For those who include contingent beneficiaries, it’s essential to name a primary beneficiary for each one. Similarly, ensure that the shares for any contingent beneficiaries total 100% for each primary beneficiary. Overlooking this can lead to significant issues later.

Submitting a will instead of the TSP-3 form is another frequent error. The rules for TSP accounts are specific, and only a valid TSP-3 form will dictate how your benefits are distributed. Be sure to follow the exact procedures and submit the correct form to avoid complications.

Finally, making alterations to the TSP-3 form is a big no-no. Don’t cross out, erase, or change any information once it’s written. If you need to make a correction, simply fill out a new form. An altered form can lead to it being deemed invalid, so take care to submit a pristine document.

Documents used along the form

When preparing your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) documentation, several other forms and documents complement the TSP-3 form, which is used to designate beneficiaries for your TSP account. Understanding these other forms can help ensure your financial planning is comprehensive and effectively addresses your wishes.

Form TSP-1: This form is crucial for opening a TSP account. It gathers essential participant information, including your employment details and personal background. Completing this form enables your deposits and allocations to begin.
Form TSP-70: Used to request a withdrawal from your TSP account, Form TSP-70 is necessary once you decide to take a distribution. It outlines your withdrawal options—whether as a lump-sum payment or monthly distributions—ensuring you receive your funds as intended.
Form TSP-75: This form lets you change your TSP investment allocations. As your financial needs evolve, using the TSP-75 can help you adjust the distribution of your funds among the different investment options within your TSP account.
Form TSP-7: If you wish to transfer your TSP account to another retirement plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), Form TSP-7 is the necessary document. It facilitates the transfer of funds while maintaining your account's tax-deferred status.

Utilizing these forms alongside the TSP-3 ensures a holistic approach to managing your retirement funds. Proper documentation guarantees that your intentions are respected and that your beneficiaries receive the intended benefits. By remaining proactive and informed about these various forms, you can navigate the TSP landscape more effectively.

Similar forms

The TSP-3 form, used for designating a beneficiary for the Thrift Savings Plan, shares similarities with several other important documents. Understanding these connections can be crucial for ensuring your wishes are respected regarding your assets after death. Here are seven documents that are similar to the TSP-3 form:

Last Will and Testament: Like the TSP-3, a will allows individuals to specify how their assets should be distributed upon their passing. However, while a will addresses all assets, the TSP-3 specifically targets TSP accounts.
Power of Attorney: This document grants someone the authority to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. Similar to the TSP-3, both documents require thoughtful consideration of beneficiaries, though the TSP-3 focuses strictly on asset distribution after death.
Living Trust: A living trust can hold assets and provide instructions for distribution. Like the TSP-3, it can bypass probate, making the transfer of assets potentially faster and easier. However, a trust is generally more comprehensive than just a beneficiary designation.
Designation of Beneficiary Forms for Life Insurance: These forms allow individuals to specify who will receive benefits from a life insurance policy. Like the TSP-3, they must be submitted directly to the insurance company and can usually be updated over time.
Retirement Account Beneficiary Designation Forms: Similar to the TSP-3, these forms are used for IRAs and other retirement accounts to specify beneficiaries. They must be completed and submitted to ensure the proper individuals receive assets after the account holder's death.
Transfer on Death Deed: This deed allows property owners to designate a beneficiary who will automatically receive the property upon death. Like the TSP-3, it provides a straightforward approach to distributing specific assets, thus avoiding probate.
Payable on Death (POD) Accounts: These accounts allow you to name a beneficiary who will receive the funds after your death. Similar to the TSP-3, they directly transfer ownership upon death, thereby streamlining the process and avoiding disputes.

Recognizing the similarities between the TSP-3 form and these documents can aid in making informed decisions about your estate planning. Addressing your wishes clearly and formally is essential in ensuring your intentions are honored when the time comes.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the TSP-3 form, it’s essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure your beneficiary designations are valid. Here are six crucial dos and don’ts:

Do: Provide your name and account number on each page you submit.
Do: Print legibly and sign all pages you complete on the same date.
Do: Ensure the same witness signs all pages after you.
Do: Make sure your primary beneficiaries’ shares add up to 100%.
Don't: Alter the form or any information you provide.
Don't: Submit your will instead of the TSP-3 form for beneficiary designation.

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your wishes are honored and your beneficiaries are correctly designated.

Misconceptions

The Thrift Savings Plan Form TSP-3 is crucial for designating beneficiaries. However, several misconceptions exist about its purpose and function. Below are key misunderstandings that need to be addressed:

It doesn't matter how you submit the form. Many believe that any submission method is acceptable. In reality, the original form must be mailed or faxed directly to the TSP.
Your will automatically governs TSP distributions. Some think that their will dictates TSP beneficiary designations. This is incorrect; only a completed TSP-3 form is valid for TSP accounts.
Beneficiaries are permanent until you die. Some assume their beneficiary designations cannot be changed. In fact, you can update your designations or cancel them at any time by submitting a new TSP-3.
Witnessing the form is optional. Witnesses are often viewed as unnecessary. However, the validity of the TSP-3 relies on witnessing; it’s a strict requirement.
You only need to submit one form for all accounts. Many think a single form covers multiple TSP accounts. In truth, a separate TSP-3 is needed for each type of account.
Contingent beneficiaries aren’t required. Some individuals believe they can designate only primary beneficiaries. It’s essential to name contingent beneficiaries to avoid complications.
Designations can be altered after submission. Some assume they can change the form after sending it in. Alterations invalidate the form; always submit a new, unaltered TSP-3.
There are no restrictions on who can be a witness. Many view anyone over 21 as a valid witness. The witness cannot be a beneficiary, making careful selection critical.

Understanding these misconceptions can prevent complications and losses in beneficiary designations. It is essential to follow the guidelines strictly to ensure your intentions are honored.

Key takeaways

When completing and utilizing the TSP-3 form, several crucial points should be taken into consideration:

This form allows you to designate one or more beneficiaries for your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account.
If you wish for your account to be distributed according to the statutory order of precedence, you do not need to complete this form.
Submission of the TSP-3 form will automatically cancel any previous beneficiary designations you may have made.
All information on the form must be completed correctly and legibly; alterations such as crossing out or erasing entries are not allowed.
It’s essential to ensure that the shares of your primary beneficiaries total 100%. This requirement also applies to any contingent beneficiaries you may designate.
The primary and contingent beneficiaries must be named separately in the designated sections.
When sending your completed form, keep a copy for your records prior to mailing the original to the appropriate TSP address.
Each page of the TSP-3 must be signed and dated not only by you but also by a witness who cannot be named as a beneficiary.
Review your beneficiary designations regularly to keep them up to date, particularly after life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

Proper completion of the TSP-3 form ensures that your wishes regarding the distribution of your account are honored, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

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