1604.4—Contributions.
(a) Employee contributions.
Subject to the regulations at 5 CFR part 1600 and the following limitations, a service member may make regular contributions to the TSP from basic pay. If the service member makes regular contributions, he or she also may contribute all or a portion of incentive pay and special pay (including bonuses) to the TSP. The maximum TSP regular employee contribution (including contributions from pay earned in a combat zone) which a service member may make for 2005 is 10 percent of basic pay. After 2005 the percentage of basic pay limit will not apply and the maximum contribution will be limited only by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C.).
(b) Matching contributions.
When matching contributions are authorized for a service member, that service member's regular contributions will be matched dollar-for-dollar on the first three percent of basic pay contributed to the TSP, and 50 cents on the dollar on the next two percent of basic pay contributed. Matching contributions only apply to regular contributions.
(c) Deduction and transmittal of contributions.
A service member's employing agency will deduct regular contributions from the service member's basic pay each pay period based on his or her contribution election and will transmit the contributions to the TSP. If a service member also elects to make periodic contributions to the TSP, the employing agency must deduct (and transmit to the TSP) these contributions from the service member's incentive pay or special pay (including bonuses), as applicable.