Is the TSP agency match ever Roth?

No. TSP does not offer a Roth agency contribution — the automatic 1% and any matching contributions always land in your traditional balance, even if you elect 100% Roth on your own contributions (5 U.S.C. § 8432).

Do Roth TSP withdrawals count toward my RMD?

No. Since SECURE 2.0 Act § 325 (effective 2024), Roth TSP balances are no longer subject to Required Minimum Distributions during the owner's lifetime. RMDs are calculated on and drawn from the traditional balance only.

Can I choose to withdraw less than my RMD by taking more from Roth instead?

No. The RMD is a floor on your total withdrawal for the year, and it must be sourced from your traditional balance specifically — you can't satisfy it with a Roth withdrawal, and you can't reduce your total withdrawal below it by preferring Roth.

TSP Roth vs. Traditional Split & Draw-Order Calculator

Most TSP tools treat your balance as one pool. This tracks Roth and traditional separately — including how the agency match (always traditional) shifts your mix over time — and shows how proportional, traditional-first, or Roth-first withdrawals change your taxable income each year.

Data current as of 2026 · RMD table updated 2022 · Sources: TSP.gov · IRS · SECURE 2.0

What this doesn't model: A single blended growth rate applies to both balances — doesn't model Roth and traditional dollars actually being invested differently. Deliberately standalone — doesn't include pension income, Social Security, or IRMAA/bracket math beyond showing the taxable amount itself.

Why the agency match keeps you from ever hitting 100% Roth

TSP has no Roth version of the agency automatic 1% or matching contributions — every dollar of agency money lands in your traditional balance, no matter what you elect for your own contributions. Even someone who has contributed 100% Roth for their entire career still ends up with a meaningful traditional balance from match alone, and that balance is still subject to RMDs later.

Why draw order matters

Every dollar you withdraw from traditional TSP is taxable income; every dollar from Roth (assuming a qualified distribution) is tax-free. The order you draw from each bucket changes your taxable income year to year — which affects your tax bracket, IRMAA surcharges on Medicare premiums, and how much of your Social Security is taxed. Drawing Roth first keeps taxable income lower early on but leaves a larger traditional balance (and larger RMDs) later; drawing traditional first does the opposite. Proportional keeps the mix constant throughout.

RMDs override your draw-order preference

Once you turn 73, the IRS requires a minimum withdrawal from your traditional balance each year — this isn't optional, and it can't be satisfied with a Roth withdrawal instead. If your planned withdrawal (from either the 4% rule or a fixed amount) would come in under that year's RMD, your total withdrawal is pushed up to meet it. Roth TSP balances are exempt from this requirement during your lifetime.

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