When members of the uniformed services find themselves unable to meet the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) requirements that normally necessitate a spouse's signature for withdrawals or loans, they turn to the TSP-U-16 form. This critical document lays out a structured pathway for requesting exceptions under specific circumstances, namely when a spouse's whereabouts are unknown or when exceptional situations make obtaining such signature impractical or impossible. By filling out the TSP-U-16, individuals must provide comprehensive personal information, detail their request for an exception, and attach any supporting documents or court orders that validate their claims of exceptional circumstances or an inability to locate their spouse. This process underscores the balance between ensuring spouses' rights are respected and recognizing the realities that can complicate or hinder a service member's ability to secure their spouse's consent. The form also includes stern warnings regarding the importance of honesty in the information provided, highlighting legal consequences for false statements. This mechanism reflects a broader understanding within the TSP to accommodate the unique challenges faced by uniformed services members while maintaining the integrity of spousal protections.
Question | Answer |
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Form Name | Form Tsp U 16 |
Form Length | 2 pages |
Fillable? | No |
Fillable fields | 0 |
Avg. time to fill out | 30 sec |
Other names | summarized, tsp u 16 form, 1-TSP-THRIFT5, ThriftLine |
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN |
EXCEPTION TO
SPOUSAL REQUIREMENTS
Members of the uniformed services must use this form to request an exception to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) spouse notice and signature requirements. Read the instructions on the back before completing this form. Type or print the information requested.
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INFORMATION 1. ABOUT YOU
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9.I am applying for a Thrift Savings Plan:
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Loan
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Withdrawal
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REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION
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Name of Spouse (LAST) |
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12.Whereabouts Unknown
I am asking for an exception to the requirement to obtain the signature of my spouse identified above because I do not know where my spouse is. I have made a good faith effort to locate my spouse in the 90 days before I submitted this request and have been unable to do so through any person or other source. The required statements or police, agency, or judicial determinations are attached to this form.
13. Exceptional Circumstances
I am asking for an exception to the requirement to obtain the signature of my spouse identified above be- cause exceptional circumstances make it inappropriate for me to obtain my spouse’s signature. A copy of an order or determination of a court or other governmental body that recites the exceptional circum- stances is attached.
III.
YOUR SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information I have provided in connection with this request is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Warning: Any intentional false statement or willful misrepresentation in this form is a violation of law that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for as long as 5 years, or both (18 U.S.C. §1001).
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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 transaction. 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 dis- close 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
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE
INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Make a copy of this form and all documents for your records. Mail the original form along with supporting docu- ments to: TSP Legal Processing Unit, P.O. Box 4390, Fairfax, VA
For overnight delivery, send the form to: ATTN: TSP Legal Processing Unit, 12210 Fairfax Town Center, Unit 906, Fairfax, VA 22033.
Or fax the completed form to:
By law, your spouse (including a separated spouse) has certain rights which must be taken into consideration when you withdraw or borrow from your uniformed services TSP account. The legal requirements are summarized in the chart below. It is your responsibility to obtain the signature of your spouse when it is required.
The TSP will notify you of the decision regarding your request for an exception to the spouses’ rights requirements. An exception may be granted only under limited conditions.
Activity |
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Exception |
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Loan, |
Spouse must give written consent. |
Whereabouts unknown or |
or Partial Withdrawal |
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exceptional circumstances |
After Separation |
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Full Withdrawal |
Spouse is entitled to a joint life annuity with 50% |
Whereabouts unknown or |
After Separation |
survivor benefit, level payments, and no cash |
exceptional circumstances |
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refund feature unless he or she waives this right.* |
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*These requirements do not apply if your vested account balance is $3,500 or less at disbursement.
Note: A withdrawal request or a Loan Application received within 90 days of an approved exception may be processed as long as the spouse identified on the form is the spouse for whom the exception has been approved.
SECTION I. and
SECTION II.
If you are a married uniformed services TSP participant, your spouse’s signature is required to waive the required joint annuity when you make a
12:Whereabouts Unknown. If you are requesting an exception to the spouse’s waiver because your spouse’s whereabouts are unknown, you must attach one of the following items to this form:
•a court order which states that the whereabouts of your spouse are unknown, OR
•a police, governmental agency, or uniformed services determination issued by the appropriate department or division head which states that the whereabouts of your spouse are unknown, OR
•three statements, including:
–a statement by you that
(1)provides the full name(s) of your spouse;
(2)clearly states that you are unable to locate your spouse;
(3)states the last time you knew your spouse’s location;
(4)explains why your spouse’s location is not known; and
(5)describes in detail the efforts you have made to locate your spouse in the 90 days preceding your submission of this request, and the results of those efforts; and
–statements from two persons supporting your statement that you do not know your spouse’s location and describing the person’s knowledge of your efforts within the last 90 days to locate your spouse.
Each statement must be signed and dated and must contain the following statement:
I understand that a false statement or willful misrepresentation in this form is a violation of law that is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for as long as 5 years, or both (18 U.S.C. §1001).
13:Exceptional Circumstances. If you are requesting an exception to your spouse’s waiver based on excep- tional circumstances, you must attach either a court order or a governmental agency or uniformed service determination issued by the appropriate department or division head explaining the exceptional circumstances. For example, a court order could indicate that you and your spouse have been maintaining separate residences with no financial relationship for three or more years; or indicate that your spouse abandoned you, but for religious or other compelling reasons, you chose not to divorce; or state that you may borrow money from or withdraw all or a portion of your TSP account notwithstanding the absence of your spouse’s signature. A determination issued by a uniformed service could indicate that your spouse is a
SECTION III. |
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the best of your knowledge. |
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SECTION IV. |
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PREVIOUS EDITIONS OBSOLETE