I recently retired from the federal government under the CSRS plan and live in NJ. My 1099-R has my gross distribution in box 1 and taxable amount in box 2a. Box 7 distribution code is 7. Turbotax asks "Where is this distribution from". It is not military or disability, and I do know that my contributions are used as part of the distribution for many years (more than 3) so it is not Three-year rule. I am not sure if I am supposed to use General Rule or None of the above. Checking any box does not change my federal refund, but it does make a difference for state. Three Year or General are both the same, but does not put a number on line 20a (taxable pensions) on the NJ tax form, giving a larger refund. Looking at the pensions worksheet, part D lines 1 and 2 are not filled in. I have the number for line 1 (Contributions made to the plan, from box 9B of my 1099R), but I have no idea what to put for line 2, expected return on contract. I did call the federal office of personnel management for the info, but they did not know. Checking None of the above (that was the default box checked) puts my 1099 taxable amount on line 20a and gives a smaller refund. I thought I was supposed to use general rule, but it seems wrong that line 20a is not filled in with my 1099-R box 2a, and I have no info for the worksheet line 2.
