While you are in a nonpay status:

• You cannot contribute to TSP.
• You will not receive agency automatic (1%) contributions.
• You cannot take a TSP loan. If you already have a TSP loan, you may make direct loan payments or suspend your loan  payments for up to 1 year of nonpay status. Loan payments cannot be suspended due to nonpay status for more than a year unless you are on active military duty.
• You can make interfund transfers among the TSP investment funds.
• You can request an in-service withdrawal (financial hardship or age-based) from your account.

When you return to duty from a nonpay status to a position covered by the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System, you can make a current TSP election at any time.

1. As soon as you know you will be entering a nonpay status, contact the Benefits Line for counseling. This is especially important if you have a TSP loan.
2. As soon as you return to a pay and duty status, contact the Benefits Line for counseling. This is especially important if you have a TSP loan.

• TSP Web Site
• TSP Fact Sheet: Effect of Nonpay Status on TSP Participation