(a) The TSP will only honor the terms of a criminal restitution order that is qualifying under paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) A criminal restitution order must meet each of the following requirements to be considered qualifying:

(1) The restitution must be ordered in the sentencing of the participant as required by 18 U.S.C. 3663A and 18 U.S.C. 3664.

(2) The criminal restitution order must require the participant to pay a stated dollar amount as restitution.

(3) The criminal restitution order must be accompanied by an enforcement letter that states the restitution is ordered under 18 U.S.C. 3663A. The enforcement letter must expressly refer to the “Thrift Savings Plan” or describe the TSP in such a way that it cannot be confused with other Federal Government retirement benefits or non-Federal retirement benefits.

(c) The following orders will not be considered qualifying:

(1) A criminal restitution order relating to a TSP account with a zero dollar account balance;

(2) A criminal restitution order relating to a TSP account that contains only nonvested money, unless the money will become vested within 30 days of the date the TSP receives the order if the participant were to remain in Government service;

(3) A criminal restitution order accompanied by an enforcement letter that requires the TSP to make a payment in the future;

(4) A forfeiture order related to a monetary garnishment of funds;

(5) A criminal restitution order accompanied by an enforcement letter that requires TSP to make a series of payments;

(6) A criminal restitution order accompanied by an enforcement letter that designates the specific TSP Fund, source of contributions, or balance from which the payment or portions of the payment shall be made.

[79 FR 53604, Sept. 10, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 52605, Sept. 1, 2015]