Federal Retirement Thrift Invesment Board

**James48843** · 01-13-2007, 03:36 AM

Monthly meeting minutes of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board are posted every month. Here you can get data on how much is in each fund, month by month, in total. And also information about future changes that are discussed, and what the expenses are, etc.

Monthly meeting minutes are posted on the electronic reading room. If you are a techy geek, or a detail person, you might want to check it out. Heck, if you are a TSP holder, you might want to check it out.

November 2006 minutes were just posted this week at:
http://www.frtib.gov/FOIA/minutes-bo...gs_2006Nov.pdf

They usually post the montly meeting minutes a month and a half or so after the meetings.

You can go to the electronic reading room link from the http://www.frtib.gov website, then click on "electronic reading room", and look at the monthly minutes each month.

Here is a direct link to the electronic reading room:

http://www.frtib.gov/FOIA/index.html

**ATCJeff** · 01-13-2007, 04:55 PM

One reason for the delay could be that the previous monthly minutes have to be approve by the Board at the next meeting.

Edit: Just looked at the minutes and what I said above is correct.

**James48843** · 02-03-2007, 12:25 PM

The recent TSP Survey data is finally out.

If you like reading what people say about TSP, then spend some time going through this:

http://www.frtib.gov/FOIA/2006-TSP-Survey-Results.pdf

The report is 55 pages long, but contains some great hard data on what people's expectations are about the TSP.

Enjoy the read!

**Spaf** · 02-03-2007, 04:22 PM

WOW!
The top reason for NOT participating in TSP, of all, 21.3%, indicated that they "Don't have enough money"!

**Show-me** · 02-03-2007, 04:50 PM

Perception and fact are defiantly two completely different things.

**Birchtree** · 02-03-2007, 07:21 PM

It never hurts to get a second part-time job to earn a little more money. It all depends on the individual's degree of initiative. Some have a greater desire to succeed and some prefer to be looked after.

**Wrngway** · 02-03-2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Spaf

WOW!
The top reason for NOT participating in TSP, of all, 21.3%, indicated that they "Don't have enough money"!

Ironically, I'm using TSP and visit here now because...I don't have enough money!

**Birchtree** · 02-03-2007, 10:18 PM

Investing correctly is a part-time job in itself - but working for yourself.

**mailmanusa** · 02-04-2007, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Birchtree

Investing correctly is a part-time job in itself - but working for yourself.

You got that right. The good part is its a fun job. One that I enjoy.

**James48843** · 02-23-2007, 02:47 PM

The December meeting minutes of the Board have now been posted- take a look and see that costs of trading in the "I" are higher; that the Navy has the highest active duty participation rate of the armed services;
and that the "L" fund being named to become the default fund is again being discussed as the priority for legislation in 2007 by the Board.

Personally, I couldn't agree more. "L", then age appropriate, is much better for employees over the long haul than the "G" fund, if the employee hasn't taken the time to get invovled in his/her own retirement planning.

Here is the link to the Board minutes, along with several great data subsets to examine for yourself.

http://www.frtib.gov/FOIA/minutes-bo...gs_2006Dec.pdf

**SkyPilot** · 02-23-2007, 03:28 PM

The "L" fund might be a better default option, but only when the market is making gains.

I believe this is a further effort to justify the cost and implementation of L funds (not really funds themselves, but blends of the funds already available).

IMO, another instance of Big Brother "knowing" what is best.

However, the markets tend to make gains overtime, so it will probably work out okay...

**qibovin** · 02-23-2007, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Birchtree

It never hurts to get a second part-time job to earn a little more money. It all depends on the individual's degree of initiative. Some have a greater desire to succeed and some prefer to be looked after.

It could if you consider the value of your TIME. Most "2nd" jobs make less than (often MUCH less than) the main job. It's not like your "second" employer is going to pay you overtime. Conversely, a business on the side can provide additional income, tax benefits, and may, particularly with the internet and other technologies available today, allow for better TIME flexibility, and may be something that could involve family and or friends so that this doesn't become more time away.

Originally Posted by James48843

Personally, I couldn't agree more. "L", then age appropriate, is much better for employees over the long haul than the "G" fund, if the employee hasn't taken the time to get invovled in his/her own retirement planning.

I believe you are right about better over the long term, but 2 points:
1. If you don't have the sense to bother with WHERE your money is being invested, you don't deserve the gains.
2. "Better" or not, the "default" should be to the NO RISK option. People should not be involuntarily (or at least, unknowingly) subjected to risk if it is avoidable.