Demo for new TSP website unveiled at board meeting

By Emily Jarvis
Internet Editor
FederalNewsRadio

A demo on the new Thrift Savings Plan web site was part of a joint meeting held today between members of the Employee Thrift Advisory Board and the Employee Thrift Advisory Council. Tom Trabucco, Director of External Affairs for the Board, attended the meeting and tells FederalNewsRadio, "We planned on putting up the beta site in October but it will not be up until November." Trabucco talked about this with Chris Dorobek on the Daily Debrief.

The site which won't drastically change its content is expected to be fully operational in February or March, unless there are major changes recommended. And Trabucco says the site will be much more, "user friendly."

But that wasn't the only thing discussed in this packed meeting. Spouse beneficiaries were also a major topic.

The beneficiaries are part of the June 26th Tobacco Bill. The new benefits will give spouses the ability to manage their accounts after the death of their significant other.

"When we took this to the Hill they all thought it was a great idea," said Trabucco.

The benefits are set to come into effect first thing next year. Right now surviving spouses can keep their funds in a skeletal account which is invested in the G-fund.

The board also discussed taking on the issue of rolling unused vacation and sick days into your TSP account. Right now that is not a possibility. President Obama also took up this issue during his October 5th radio address.

Trabucco said in the upcoming months the issue of unused vacation and sick days rolling into your TSP will become a major issue.

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