Question about TSP and “ Rule of 55”

[All Saints Day]

I know we can withdraw our TSP savings without penalty if we leave employment with the usps in the calendar year in which we turn 55 years old.

Wondering about this hypothetical scenario:

If a career rural carrier resigns from the postal service at the age of 50. Does not work for the postal service for the next 4 years. Restarts employment with the postal service as an RCA, CCA, PSE clerk, etc. at the age of 54 or 55 then resigns at the age of 55 before they make regular/career stats, would they be able to withdraw their savings without the penalty after resigning from an RCA position or any non-career position? Or must they be a career employee at the time of resigning?

 

[justacarrier]

I know we can withdraw our TSP savings without penalty if we leave employment with the usps in the calendar year in which we turn 55 years old.

Wondering about this hypothetical scenario:

If a career rural carrier resigns from the postal service at the age of 50. Does not work for the postal service for the next 4 years. Restarts employment with the postal service as an RCA, CCA, PSE clerk, etc. at the age of 54 or 55 then resigns at the age of 55 before they make regular/career stats, would they be able to withdraw their savings without the penalty after resigning from an RCA position or any non-career position? Or must they be a career employee at the time of resigning?

Pretty sure you would not qualify for the rule of 55 in this case. Now if you went back into a status that allowed you to contribute to TSP thru your earnings (career status) that might be a different story.