Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Death notification, 3 survivor benefits, and required documents
OverviewWhen someone dies
ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
Mailing Address
ThriftLine Service Center C/O Broadridge Processing PO Box 1600 Newark, NJ 07101-1600 For overnight delivery: 2 Gateway Center, 283-299 Market Street, 17th Floor Newark, NJ 07102
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Death Benefits / ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Death Reporting / ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Verified May 2026
The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings plan for federal employees and uniformed service members, similar to a private-sector 401(k). When a TSP participant dies, the account balance is paid to designated beneficiaries or, if none, according to the statutory order of precedence. Surviving spouses receive a Beneficiary Participant Account; non-spouse beneficiaries receive a distribution.
Death notification
When an active federal employee or service member dies, the employing agency or uniformed service notifies the TSP. For participants who are retired or separated from federal service, the family or beneficiary reports the death directly to the TSP by calling the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 or by submitting Form TSP-17 (Information Relating to Deceased Participant). A legible copy of the certified death certificate must accompany Form TSP-17 — the TSP cannot process a death benefit claim without it. Anyone may complete and submit Form TSP-17; submitting the form does not entitle that person to the death benefit. The TSP then reviews the most recent valid Form TSP-3 (Designation of Beneficiary) on file to identify beneficiaries; if none is on file, the account is paid according to the statutory order of precedence under 5 U.S.C. 8424(d).
Deadline: As soon as possible; non-spouse beneficiaries have 90 days to request payment before automatic distribution
Survivor benefits
The TSP offers 3 benefits for surviving family members.
Beneficiary Participant Account (Surviving Spouse)
When a surviving spouse is entitled to all or part of the TSP account and their share is $200 or more, the TSP automatically establishes a Beneficiary Participant Account (BPA) in the spouse's name. This is not a taxable event. The spouse can take single payments, monthly payments, or purchase a TSP life annuity. Eligible distributions from a BPA can be rolled over to the spouse's own IRA or eligible employer plan. If the spouse's share is less than $200, it is paid out directly and no BPA is established.
Amount: Full or partial account balance, depending on beneficiary designation
Non-Spouse Beneficiary Distribution
Non-spouse beneficiaries (children, parents, estate, etc.) cannot retain a TSP account. The TSP establishes a temporary account in the beneficiary's name and the beneficiary has 90 days to request payment — either paid directly or rolled into an inherited IRA via direct rollover. If no action is taken within 90 days, the TSP automatically distributes the full balance as a lump sum on the 90th day or the next business day. Under the SECURE Act, most non-spouse beneficiaries must distribute the entire inherited balance within 10 years for participants who died after December 31, 2019.
Amount: Full or partial account balance, depending on beneficiary designation
Unpaid Balance and Remaining Contributions
If the participant had contributions or loan payments in process at the time of death, the TSP processes the final balance and includes it in the death benefit distribution to beneficiaries.
Amount: Varies based on account balance at time of death
When someone dies
Notifying the TSP after a death
4-step process, 6 required documents, and 3 survivor benefits.
View details →Frequently asked questions
If no valid Form TSP-3 exists, the TSP pays the account according to the statutory order of precedence under 5 U.S.C. 8424(d): surviving spouse, then children, then parents, then estate executor, then next of kin under state law.
No. A will, trust, or court order does not override a Form TSP-3 beneficiary designation. The TSP pays the account strictly according to the most recent Form TSP-3 on file, or the statutory order of precedence if no TSP-3 exists.
ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
Mailing Address
ThriftLine Service Center C/O Broadridge Processing PO Box 1600 Newark, NJ 07101-1600 For overnight delivery: 2 Gateway Center, 283-299 Market Street, 17th Floor Newark, NJ 07102
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Death Benefits / ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Death Reporting / ThriftLine
Phone1-877-968-3778
TTY711
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Verified May 2026