Just divide the yearly max (19,500) by the number of pay periods for the year (usually 26 if biweekly).
Is the yearly max $19,500? I thought it was $19,000.
Are you trying to front load contributions in some way? That seems more complicated in light of the match, but you can change your contribution at any time throughout the year.
I'm not trying to front-load contributions. Just trying to spread my contributions evenly over the entire year so that my month-to-month finances are easier to manage. I think I have it properly calculated so that after 26 contributions, I'm right at the 19,000 limit so I do not lose the employer matching.
HSA is unrelated to your TSP contributions and the calculation is similar but pass-through contributions count toward the max (max contribution [minus any pass-through contribution] / # of pay periods).
Yes, I read that in the literature of one of the FEHB providers. Since open-season is coming up, I'll be switching to a plan that has an HSA program and begin contributing to it ASAP.
It's just too bad that there's no way to fund a Mega Backdoor Roth via TSP, since contributions are halted once the maximum is reached.
The next calculation I'm trying to figure out is, if I leave federal service after five-years, should I leave my FERS funds alone and collect the basic benefits when I reach 62, or should I withdraw the funds after leaving federal service and put that lump sum into a different account (perhaps an IRA).
Do you know if the government makes contributions to the FERS basic benefits fund? Or is it only funded by what is withheld from my check by payroll?