TSP to Gold & Silver: A 2026 Rollover Guide for Federal Employees

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Gold is trading around $4,750 an ounce this morning. That's up roughly 43% over the past twelve months. Silver is sitting near $78 an ounce, still up sharply year-over-year even after the recent pullback. And if you're a federal employee or retiree sitting on a Thrift Savings Plan, here's the uncomfortable truth: your TSP can't hold a single ounce of either metal. Not the G Fund. Not the C Fund. Not the L funds. At USA Capital Gold, a BBB-accredited firm that specializes in 401(k), IRA, and TSP rollovers into physical precious metals, we've watched TSP rollover requests climb steadily as federal workers try to get exposure to the gold rally their plan menu simply doesn't offer.

If you're wondering how other feds are making the move, download our free Gold IRA Guide at usacapitalgold.com. It walks through the rollover process step by step.

Why the TSP Can't Hold Physical Gold or Silver

The TSP offers five core funds plus the Lifecycle (L) funds. That's it. No physical metals. No self-directed option. No real asset exposure outside paper-based securities and Treasuries. To hold physical gold or silver inside a retirement account, you need a self-directed IRA with a custodian that handles IRS-approved bullion.

The TSP was designed for simplicity and low fees, which is great when markets cooperate. But it also means every dollar in your account is tied to stocks, bonds, or government paper. When the dollar weakens or geopolitical risk spikes (the kind of environment that pushed gold to its recent highs per Reuters and Trading Economics), TSP participants have no built-in way to benefit. A rollover into a Gold IRA solves that. You keep the tax-advantaged structure. You just swap part of the paper for metal you can actually touch, stored in an IRS-approved depository.

Who Can Actually Roll Over a TSP in 2026?

Your eligibility comes down to two things: employment status and age. If you've separated from federal service, whether that means retired, resigned, or left for the private sector, you can roll over your entire TSP balance at any age with no restrictions. If you're still working and are age 59½ or older, you can take an age-based in-service withdrawal and move part of your TSP into a self-directed IRA while continuing to earn agency matching contributions.

This is the detail most federal employees miss. The TSP Modernization Act created real flexibility for in-service withdrawals, but most agencies don't advertise it in benefits briefings. Per the TSP's own guidance at tsp.gov, you can roll eligible distributions into a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or an eligible employer plan. A self-directed IRA holding IRS-approved gold and silver is an eligible destination.

Not sure whether your specific TSP balance qualifies for a partial rollover? Call our team at 1-888-263-8931 for a free, no-pressure consultation. We'll review your eligibility in about fifteen minutes.

2026 TSP Rule Changes You Should Know Before Rolling

This is the year the rulebook shifted under federal employees, and the changes matter if you're planning a rollover.

Roth in-plan conversions are now live. Starting January 28, 2026, the TSP allows direct in-plan conversions from your traditional balance to your Roth balance without having to roll money out first. That's useful, but it doesn't solve the gold problem, because the Roth TSP still only holds the same five paper-based funds.

Mandatory Roth catch-up for higher earners. Under SECURE Act 2.0, federal employees age 50+ who earned more than $145,000 in 2025 must now direct their catch-up contributions to the Roth TSP. Many GS-13s, GS-14s, law enforcement officers with overtime, and SES employees are affected.

Higher contribution caps. The 2026 TSP elective deferral limit is $24,500, with an $8,000 catch-up for age 50+ and a special $11,250 super catch-up for ages 60 to 63. The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500, with a $1,100 catch-up.

For feds weighing a rollover, these changes are a signal to plan now rather than react in December. A Roth conversion done before a rollover can be coordinated to smooth the tax hit. That's worth walking through with a professional before you file TSP Form 70 or TSP-75.

What to Look for in a Precious Metals Firm, and Where USA Capital Gold Fits

Any precious metals firm handling your TSP rollover should meet a short, non-negotiable list: BBB accreditation, transparent pricing on every bar and coin, IRS-approved depository options, clear fee disclosures, and no pressure tactics. If a company can't walk you through all five in plain English, that's your answer.

USA Capital Gold is BBB-accredited with a price match guarantee on bullion and 5-star Google reviews from federal clients across the country. We specialize in TSP, 401(k), and IRA rollovers specifically. This isn't generic brokerage advice with a metals side hustle. Our team walks you through the TSP-70 or TSP-75 process, coordinates with your chosen custodian, and helps you select IRS-approved American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, and bars that fit your goals.

Book a free consultation at usacapitalgold.com. We'll review your current TSP balance and show you what a partial rollover into physical gold and silver could look like in under thirty minutes.

The Bottom Line for TSP Holders

You spent your career in federal service building something worth protecting. Gold's run from roughly $3,300 to $4,750 over the past year isn't a speculation story. It's a signal that a lot of serious money is moving into hard assets while the dollar's purchasing power continues to erode. The TSP can't follow that money. A self-directed Gold IRA can. Whether you're already retired, separated, or over 59½ and still working, the rollover path exists. With the 2026 rule changes in motion, this is the year to get it right.

Written by the USA Capital Gold Editorial Team. USA Capital Gold is a BBB-accredited precious metals dealer specializing in tax-free rollovers from 401(k)s, IRAs, and TSPs into physical gold and silver. Price match guarantee. 5-star Google reviews. Call 1-888-263-8931 or book a consultation at usacapitalgold.com.