NEED TSP ADVICE OR INSIGHT--- About to Retire in about 5 Years!

[jlindsay10]

Hello, **Insight Needed**


If anyone could provide me with a little insight or advise based on my situation, it would be deeply appreciated.

SITUATION: I have been in the TSP program for about 17 years now. I have had 100% of my contributions going to the C- fund. I had never really paid attention to my TSP Plan before due to not being close to retirement and it always kinda looked like I was making money.

But, on my last quarterly statement for 1 July 15 - 30 Sep 2015; it shows that my Personal Rate of Return was -0.23%. When I looked further at my statement, it showed that my investment Loss was over -$15, 500.

This really scared me and now that I am about to retire in about 5 years or less, I was wondering how others are handling their contributions to the various funds especially how things are going with the economy. Also, please advise if you have any other sources that may be able to assist me.

Thanks!

[jlindsay10]

CORRECTION: I have had 95% of my contributions going to the C- fund.

[JTH]

At this point in the game, you're more likely to cause damage through your own interference. You may not have the money you want, but you still own the shares...

If you really want to get serious, then be prepared to invest a great amount of time to learn & burn, or you could join a service and let someone else stress out for you:)

[jlindsay10]

Thanks for the information

[OBGibby]

A 0.23% loss at $15,500 suggests a comfortable balance. Unless my inside-the-head math calculation is wildly off, always a possibility. You mentioned retiring in five years - is that when you'll start accessing your TSP funds or will you let it ride a while longer before drawing down the balance?

[jlindsay10]

Hello. I will probably let it ride a while longer before drawing down the balance. Any advice?

[uscfanhawaii]

Hello. I will probably let it ride a while longer before drawing down the balance. Any advice?

Last half of '15 and so far in '16, has been down. I wouldn't let that matter so much by itself. Like JTH said, you could hurt yourself more. Just look at all those TSP'ers who were in G this whole time. I am sure you have beat them over time (kudos for you NOT leaving everything in G!).
And 5 years is still a while to recover. Other options: Join a premium service, diversify over several equity funds (S and I) or all funds, or join one of the L funds that slowly change fund %'s as you get closer to your retirement date.
But stocks are in correction mode now. I personally would not make a change, although if you look at the daily IFT's you will see what others are doing.
Lots of ideas and strategies on these boards. Especially in the Forum and Blogs.
Good Luck! :thinking:

[uscfanhawaii]

By the way, make sure you set up your Account Talk thread. And let us know what and why you decided what you were going to do!
We like to share all ideas! :cool:

Randy

[CrgButcher]

first and foremost, crank your contribution up to at very least, 5%. You want....no...NEED that gov matching. If you are serious about retiring in 5 years, it wouldn't hurt to throw every extra bit of cash into it that you can. last of all, keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all time and enjoy the ride. It looks like a bumpy one.

[OBGibby]

Hello. I will probably let it ride a while longer before drawing down the balance. Any advice?

You've got some time but personally I'd be a bit conservative. 60/40 wouldn't be bad, or the 20% each Fund.

[DrFaustus]

My advice would to watch the AutoTracker, see what the top traders ( sorry, rebalancers ) are doing and mimic them.