This site publishes free educational tools and guides about Roth conversions for Thrift Savings Plan participants. Because these are financial topics where getting it wrong has real consequences, we hold the content to a clear standard. This page explains that standard plainly, so you know exactly what you are reading and how it is made.
How we research
We build our explanations from primary, official sources rather than second-hand summaries. For TSP-specific rules, that means the Thrift Savings Plan's own guidance. For tax rules, that means the Internal Revenue Service. Every guide on this site links to the official sources it draws from, so you can verify any point yourself and read the authoritative detail.
Where a figure changes from year to year, such as contribution limits, tax brackets, or required distribution ages, we deliberately avoid printing a specific number that could go stale and mislead you. Instead we describe how the rule works and point you to the official source for the current figure. We would rather send you to the right number than risk showing you an outdated one.
How we write
Our goal is plain English. Retirement tax topics are often explained in dense, jargon-heavy language, and that complexity is exactly the gap this site exists to close. We define terms, show worked examples, and state our assumptions openly. When our calculator produces a number, we show the reasoning behind it rather than asking you to trust a black box.
We are also explicit about limits. Our calculator produces simplified estimates, and we label them as estimates. We tell you what the tool does not account for, such as state taxes, the five-year rule, and required distribution timing, so you are never left assuming it covers more than it does.
How we review and update
Tax and retirement rules change, so content that was accurate last year may not be accurate today. Each of our main pages carries a "last reviewed" date so you can see how current it is. We revisit content as rules change and as we become aware of anything that needs correcting.
If you spot an error or something that has gone out of date, we want to hear about it. Email us at contact@tsprothcalculator.com and we will review it. Corrections to substantive errors are made promptly, and the review date is updated when we do.
What this site is, and is not
This site provides general educational information and estimates. It does not provide personalized tax, legal, or investment advice, and using it does not create any professional relationship. Every person's situation is different, and a conversion decision depends on details unique to you. We consistently encourage you to confirm specifics with the official resources and to consult a qualified tax professional or financial planner before acting.
How this site is funded
This site is free to use and is supported by advertising. We may display ads served by third-party networks, and we may earn a commission if you use certain links. That funding keeps the tools free, but it does not influence our content. We do not tailor our explanations, recommendations, or the math in our calculator to favor any advertiser, and advertising relationships never change what we tell you about a conversion decision. How your information is handled around advertising is described in our Privacy Policy.
Independence: This is an independent resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Thrift Savings Plan, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the Internal Revenue Service, or any government agency. Any references to these organizations are for informational purposes only.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or feedback are genuinely welcome at contact@tsprothcalculator.com. We read every message, though we cannot provide individual financial or tax advice.