Q. I’ve worked for the Food and Drug Administration for 18 years. I started investing in the Thrift Savings Plan about 10 years ago and don’t plan on retiring until 2030. I’m investing 15 percent right now, and I plan on doing more. I’ve been advised to invest in the L Funds. But lately I’ve been looking at the F, C, S and I funds, which are doing so much better than the L. I want to switch to the one that’s earning the most. Isn’t the L fund for those who are ready to retire within a couple of years? I’m not ready yet. I’m 48 years old and have been with the federal government since 1989.
A. Don’t fall for the trap of investing in risky securities after they have gone up. The L Funds offer diversification, which will provide you with the highest expected return possible in exchange for the risk they pose. Your question makes it clear that you are not qualified to manage an investment portfolio. I suggest that you either stick to the L Funds or find someone trustworthy and affordable to help you.
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There are 5 “L” funds: L – Income, L 2020, L2030, L2040, and L2050. It’s unclear which L fund you were advised to invest in. You also seem to refer to the L – Income in your post. The L fund that has made the most over the last 12 months is the L 2050 but that is not neccesarily your best option. You should not just pick and invest in only one or two of the stock funds (C/S/I) mainly because they’ve been doing well over the last 12 months. Without further info from you, you should initially prefer one of the L20XX funds. The higher the number the more aggressive which means more potential for gain and loss.