Code 2 is in box 7 of my 1099-R. What does "early distribution, exception applies" mean in the code explanation? I was 55 when I retired.

[rwilson79]

I thought my retirement was a normal distribution, which is code 7.

[ChristinaS · Accepted solution]

Its not "normal" because you are not 59 1/2. Normal simply means 59 1/2.

However, Box 2 means you are not paying the 10% penalty either way. So, you are not penalized for not being 59 1/2 regardless. A "7' wouldn't be any better than a "2".

[ChristinaS]

Because you separated from service at 55, you are not penalized for not being 59 1/2. This meets the following 10% penalty exception:
Qualified retirement plan distributions you receive after separation from service when the separation from service occurs in or after the year you reach age 55 (age 50 for qualified public safety employees).
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5329/ch02.html">https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5329/ch02.html</...>

[rwilson79]

Thank you.

[ChristinaS]

No problem!

[bamagolfers2]

Question to both of you guys...I have the same issue but how do I get the s/w to not add 10%?  Fill out 5329?

[oakie123]

Can you define "separation from service "? Is being laid off from an employer considered "separation from service "?

[jivefive99]

To freshen up this question for 2024, and because I retired from the Fed Govt. last year at age 56 1/2, Im waiting for my TSP 1099R so I can see how it is coded, and I can see if Turbo Tax will get me out of the 10% penalty for money I took out of TSP for living expenses in 2024.  But your posts keep confusing "box 2" with "code 2" and "box 7" with "code 7."  In the OPM 1099R (for the pension), which I got last week and printed, there is a box 7 and a code 7 (nondisability) inside that box.  I will have to see how the TSP 1099R is structured.  Im hoping box 7 on the TSP 1099R has a code 2 for me (no 10% penalty).  When I try code 1 in box 7, my tax due goes up several thousand dollars.  Want to clarify?

[KrisD15]

Depending on how the Thrift Savings Plan 1099-R is coded for Box 7, the TurboTax program will ask additional questions to determine the tax. 

Enter the form as it is printed then follow up with the questions for exceptions to the penalty.

Don't alter the form by substituting any numbers. The IRS gets a copy and it all needs to match what you enter on your tax return.  

[jivefive99]

I assume Christina is gone and the response I got to my message above was kind of generic, but Im gonna wait for the TSP's 1099R and we'll see if I get the box 7 code 2 that I was hoping for.

[MonikaK1]

If you separated from government service due to retirement at age 55 or older, you are not subject to the additional 10% tax. (I am also a Federal annuitant.)

See this TurboTax help article for more information about the codes in Box 7 of Form 1099R.

You can view your TSP account details, and access other resources, at https://www.tsp.gov/. 

[jivefive99]

Yeah box 7 for me I think comes down to either code 1 or 2.  Code 2 is a lot better than code 1.  Im hoping for code 2 -- no 10% penality.

[dmertz]

Since you qualified for this exception for the FERS or CSRS pension, you should also qualified for the same exception on distributions from the TSP.  If the Form 1099-R from the TSP happens to have code 1 instead of code 2, you can claim a code 01 exception to the penalty on line 2 of Form 5329, which TurboTax will give you the opportunity to do.  (I don't think that filing Form 5329 is permitted with the free online version of TurboTax, but all other versions of TurboTax support it).