Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The TSP’s G Fund protects your savings from market losses — its balance won’t decline when stocks fall or bond prices drop. But that protection doesn’t guarantee your savings will keep pace with inflation. When prices rise faster than the G Fund’s return, your account can hold more dollars while buying less than it used to. This guide’s analysis compares official G Fund returns with federal inflation data and examines the trade-off between market safety and long-term growth. It also considers how your retirement timeline, withdrawal plans and ability to tolerate market declines can affect the role the G Fund plays in your TSP. more…

A tech-driven sell-off mid-week pulled most TSP stock funds lower, though a Friday rebound softened the losses. The S Fund led declines at -0.92%, while the G Fund was the only fund in the green, up 0.09%. See the full fund-by-fund breakdown and what drove the week. more…

Your first few years as a federal employee can have a lasting impact on your retirement. In this guide, Ed Zurndorfer explains the Thrift Savings Plan features every new employee should know, including automatic enrollment, matching contributions, Roth vs. Traditional TSP options, and common mistakes to avoid more…

Many federal employees contribute to the Roth Thrift Savings Plan (Roth TSP), but fewer realize that opening a Roth IRA can provide additional long-term flexibility. Although both accounts offer the potential for tax-free qualified withdrawals, they operate under different IRS rules. This guide explains why maintaining both accounts may strengthen your retirement strategy, how the Roth IRA’s five-year rule differs from the Roth TSP’s, what SECURE 2.0 changed for Roth TSP required minimum distributions, and when a future rollover may make sense. Learn how these two retirement accounts can work together to help you build a more flexible retirement plan. more…

Thinking about moving your Thrift Savings Plan to an IRA after retirement? A TSP rollover can provide more investment choices and greater flexibility—but it also means giving up some unique TSP advantages. Before making an irreversible decision, understand the tax rules, costs, withdrawal options, and the situations where keeping your money in the TSP may actually be the better choice. Ed Zurndorfer walks you through the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision with confidence. more…

Ed Zurndorfer discusses what departed federal employees can do with their Thrift Savings Plan accounts, including making (or not making) contributions, paying of a TSP loan, and making withdrawals (with or without or without penalties) more…

Thinking about borrowing from your Thrift Savings Plan? A TSP loan may seem like one of the most inexpensive ways to access cash—there’s no credit check, the interest goes back into your own account, and repayment is automatic. But many federal employees overlook the biggest expense: the retirement growth they could miss while their money is out of the market. This guide explains how TSP loans work, compare the pros and cons, walk through the application process, and reveal the true long-term cost with a realistic example that every FERS employee should consider before borrowing. more…

Many federal employees contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan without fully understanding the differences between the G, F, C, S, I, and Lifecycle (L) Funds — or when to use each one. Our latest guide breaks down every TSP investment option, explains the Mutual Fund Window, and shows how investment elections, fund reallocations, and fund transfers really work. Whether you’re new to federal service or nearing retirement, this article can help you make more informed decisions about your retirement savings. more…