If you are a federal employee, you may be wondering how to plan for your retirement and make the most of your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan that allows you to invest in various funds and options, depending on your risk tolerance and goals. On this tag page, you will find articles and resources that will help you understand the benefits and features of the TSP, as well as tips and strategies to increase your investment returns and secure your future income. You will also learn about the latest news and updates on the TSP performance, fees, withdrawals, and more. Whether you are just starting your federal career or are near retirement, these articles will provide you with valuable information and guidance on how to make the best use of your TSP.
When it comes to investing our money, most people put short-term political views aside. When spending their money, they focus on the future of business and the prospects for future growth. If they are confident, stock prices go up. If they are pessimistic, stock prices go down. TSP stock funds dropped dramatically again in February with one fund, the G fund, the only TSP fund with a positive return for the month and for the year.
You have reason to feel your financial future is at risk. We are in an uncertain economic situation. So what about your future retirement? Should you be putting money into the G fund, the F fund or into stocks? Here is a summary of professional investment prognosticators at a recent event for investors. It is not optimistic but may be helpful to you in planning your financial future.
January is often cited as a harbinger for stock market returns for the remainder of the year. TSP investors are hoping that does not hold true for 2009. The stock market dropped significantly, breaking a 113 year record for the lowest returns in January. The January Thrift Savings Plan returns reflect the market decline.
The drop in the value of your Thrift Savings Plan in 2008 may have you worried–especially if you are already retired. recent legislation allows investors to avoid taking the minimum required distribution in 2009. But to take advantage, you need to act sooner rather than later.
If you are not careful in making your regular TSP investments, you could be making a mistake that will cost you a significant amount of money. Highly compensated federal employees should consider making a flat payment to the TSP each pay period. This column explains why this is could be important to you.
After five straight years of positive TSP fund performance, 2008 was a disappointment. While all of the funds were up in December, all but two of the funds lost money in 2008.
TSP investors are continuing to move money from stock funds and into the G fund although the number of transfers has declined substantially. What is the risk of not putting some of your investment money back into stock funds? Should you wait until the bear market is over before moving money around?
If you are looking for good news with regard to your stock funds, try this: Your funds did not go down as much this past month as they did in October. If that doesn’t give you a thrill, perhaps the bottom of the market has been reached.
Federal employees are fleeing to the G Fund amidst the ongoing historic bear market.
“Back to the Future” was a great movie–or series of movies. Still, no one likes to see their retirement investments sinking back to levels of six years ago. That is what has happened in the current bear market. Here are charts showing the results through the recent sell-off–and some hope for the future.
