5 USC § 8471 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t5/s8471"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "5 USC § 8471 - Definitions"
title_number: 5
title_name: "GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES"
section_number: "8471"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 84
chapter_name: "FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM"
subchapter_number: "VII"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM"
part_number: "III"
part_name: "EMPLOYEES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 577.)"
---


# § 8471. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter—

**(1)** the term “beneficiary” means an individual (other than a participant) entitled to payment from the Thrift Savings Fund under subchapter III of this chapter;

**(2)** the term “Council” means the Employee Thrift Advisory Council established under section 8473 of this title;

**(3)** the term “participant” means an individual for whom an account has been established under section 8439 of this title;

**(4)** the term “person” means an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, mutual company, joint-stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association, or labor organization; and

**(5)** the term “Thrift Savings Fund” means the Thrift Savings Fund established under section 8437 of this title.

---

**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 99–335, title I, § 101(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 577.)

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Subchapter VII effective , see , set out as a note under .