Q. Does it make since to invest in more than one TSP L Fund? I will be retiring within the next 5 to 10 years. I have a portfolio value of $420,000. I moved all of my money from 75 percent C stock fund and 25 percent F bond fund to 100 percent G fund trying to protect my assets during the first week of January to plan for a market correction. The market is still doing well and I regret that I moved all money to the G fund. I am going to move all money to the L2030 fund,…
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Q. I have a couple nickels in the Thrift Savings Plan and I am very concerned about a turnaround that I believe is coming. Where to do I information as to how much of my TSP can be moved to another IRA or secured account for better growth? Will it hurt me to remove most and leave a little? Where I find answers about moving my current funds, and starting a fresh minimalist account? A. The rules governing the TSP are available at www.tsp.gov. There is no need to move your money out of the TSP to secure it against…
Q. I started working for the federal government in 2003 and I plan to retire in 2035 or so. Until last year I had all of my TSP invested in the G Fund; however, last year I started investing 100 percent into the L 2040 fund. As of right now I have 5,292.1883 shares in the G Fund and the share price is at $16.2848. My balance is at $86,182.23 and the distribution of account is at 77.94 percent and its contribution allocation is now at 0 percent. I also have 684.1896 shares in the L 2040 Fund and the share price is at…
Q. What is the annual withdrawal strategy that would allow me to avoid selling stock shares (C,S,I) during years that the market is down? I’m sure I read in “Money Matters” a strategy where a person could avoid a sequence of withdrawals disaster early in retirement by moving to the F and G Funds just prior to the annual withdrawal then back to stock shares immediately after the withdrawal. If there is such a strategy, could you explain it more specifically? A. Here’s the article I wrote for the Federal Times in 2016: How to Take a Selective Withdrawal Your…
Q. I will be retiring in approximately three years. I want to have some TSP funds, say 3-5 years worth of expenses (less FERS pension and Annuity Supplement) in a safe investment. Given today’s interest and bond climates, is it better to use the G or F fund (or a split between the two) for that allocation? A. The G Fund is the only TSP fund that is guaranteed against loss of principal.
Q. I am scheduled for full/voluntary retirement in February 2023. I currently have my TSP contribution at 100 percent in the L2030 fund. I am getting a little nervous about the volatility of the market, so I am inclined to do something like reallocate to 50 percent L2030 and 50 percent G Fund just to try and mitigate any potential losses. Of course, I would like to increase my current $253,000 balance, but wouldn’t be averse to it not increasing that much by retirement. Conversely, I would hate to see a loss on what I have and not be able to…
Q. I am 52 years old and I am currently a government employee. I have approximately $38,000 in my TPS, all in the G Fund and I plan to retire in 10 years. I also have money coming in from an active-duty military retirement. I was thinking of transferring the entire balance to the L2030 to try and maximize growth over time. Is this a good decision? A. It’s impossible to say from the information you’ve provided here. If you don’t know what to do, I think you allocate your TSP money into the L Fund that most closely corresponds to your…
Q. I’m a FERS employee. As I reach retirement and knowing about my retirement and Social Security, what is the best way to maximize my TSP? If I have $1 million in my TSP, would moving the money from the C Fund to the G Fund and implement the 4 percent rule without wavering on my withdrawals would I run out of money? If the G Fund pays 1-2 percent every year I still seem to leave this Earth with money remaining. Looking at 4 percent calculation models, if you’re making an average above the 4 percent you wind up…
Q. Do you see any advantage in periodically transferring funds from my 403b to my TSP? The 403b is invested in a life-cycle fund from Vanguard, so the fees I assume are pretty low. The only advantages I see are I currently have access to funds if needs in my TSP as I was a law enforcement officer and have provision to access this as I retired with over 20 years in federal law enforcement. But I don’t plan to withdraw for a long time (I’m 53) and perhaps the TSP fees are even lower then Vanguards? I assume transfers are…
Q. What is your opinion of the so called “bucket” investment strategy for retirement in the TSP, with a “now,” “soon” and “later” allocation? The now being a three-year time frame in the G Fund for a safe flow of income, the soon 3-5 year in the L-Income that would be less conservative and the later maybe investing in the Lifecycle Fund corresponding to life expectancy for more aggressive growth? I realize the allocations would have to be updated regularly. With such a strategy, would it be best to make adjustments monthly, quarterly or annually?