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February 2020
The internet has made the way we access and manage our personal and financial information simpler. But with ease and convenience come threats to our online privacy. At the TSP, we know that your planning, investing, and saving would mean nothing if everything you’ve worked hard for were lost to fraud. Protecting your account is a top priority for us—and we’ve made some noticeable changes to the Plan. But you also play an important role in keeping your personal information safe and secure. Here are a few online basics that could help you safeguard your future income:
• Use strong and unique passwords. Passwords are keys to your online identity, so it’s important to protect them just as you would your driver’s license, passport, or Social Security number. Create complex passwords, change them frequently, and resist the temptation to write them down.
• Beware of phishing scams. Phishing is a way the bad guys trick you into sharing passwords, account numbers, and other sensitive information. The email or text message looks like it’s from a trusted organization. Don’t be fooled. Don’t click on or respond to emails, text messages, instant messages, mobile apps, links, or pop-up windows that ask you to provide account or personal information. Access your TSP account only by typing "tsp.gov" directly into your secure browser.
• Learn to identify real TSP communications. We may contact you by phone, mail, or email to confirm a transaction or change you made. We’ll also send account-related educational emails and informational emails such as Plan updates and the Thrift Savings Planner newsletter. However, we will not contact you about investment opportunities or authorize third parties to provide counseling or services related to your investment choices. We do not assign the terms “TSP Advisor” or “TSP Counselor” to any individual or group. Your TSP password and ThriftLine PIN are your business, and no one at the TSP will ever need to know that information for any reason. Call the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 if you’re not sure if correspondence or phone calls claiming to be from the TSP are trustworthy.
• Keep contact information up to date. We use your contact information to notify you when there is certain activity on your account. The communications will help you identify suspicious activity. If your contact information changes or you move, remember to let us know. We can’t help you if we can’t reach you.
You can update and validate your email address(es) and mobile phone number any time in your My Account profile settings. Be sure to provide at least one non-work email address or number so you can access your account anytime, even when you’re not working. To update your mailing address, contact your agency or service if you are still working as a federal employee. If you’re separated from service, you can change it in your My Account profile settings.
• Close your browser after you log out. When you’re finished accessing your TSP account, close your browser window. This will clear the browser's memory of your sensitive account information.
Want to see the activity in your account? Always check your quarterly and annual TSP statements carefully to help keep your account safe. If you see unauthorized or unusual account activity, call us immediately at 1-877-968-3778. The TSP cannot be responsible for unauthorized account activity that you report to us after 60 calendar days of the date we issued the statement.
Be mindful: Always securely store and dispose of paper copies of TSP statements and correspondence.
Recent Changes
Two-step authentication—Now, all TSP participants must have validated contact information and use two-step authentication to log into My Account. This important security feature is more secure because it means that online access to your account requires something you know (your account number or username and password) and something you have (the one-time code you receive in your email or on your phone). Someone who tries to log into your account fraudulently won’t be able to gain access without the code.
Digital newsletter—Over 3 million participants now receive our online newsletter, the Thrift Savings Planner, in their inbox each quarter. In each issue, you’ll find TSP updates, important reminders, and useful topics to help you reach your retirement goals.
Withdrawals—The way you request a withdrawal—and the way we process your request—got a little easier with the enhanced online tools in My Account. Moreover, you’re now able to make multiple in-service and post-separation withdrawals; choose money from your traditional balance, Roth balance, or both; and make changes to the amount and the frequency of your monthly payments at any time. For a detailed summary of the TSP withdrawal options, read Questions and Answers about Changes to TSP Withdrawal Options.
While you may have more ways to access your retirement savings, it’s important that you consider your options before taking money out of your account, especially if you’re still a federal employee. Withdrawals have long-term consequences. Remember that the purpose of your account is to accumulate savings so that you’ll have income during retirement. If you withdraw money now, you risk not having enough later—when you may need it the most.
The Real TSP podcast—Hosted by TSP educators, each episode provides an in-depth look into your retirement investment plan and answers questions you care about the most. You can find our podcasts on YouTube.
Coming changes
• 5-year Lifecycle (L) Funds—Later this year, we’ll offer more investment options when we introduce new L Funds in 5-year increments. You’ll be able to pick an L Fund with a target date that more closely matches your intended retirement date.
Each L Fund will continue to vary your investments automatically to adjust your exposure to risk as you get closer to retirement and give you the potential for long-term growth. Learn more about our Lifecycle Funds and individual fund options.
• Automatic enrollment percentage increase—Beginning October 1, 2020, new participants will be automatically enrolled in the TSP at 5% of their pay. This change also includes Blended Retirement System (BRS) participants automatically re-enrolled in the TSP on or after January 1, 2021. The increase will allow new participants to get the full matching contributions from their agency or service.
If you are currently an active participant and are not contributing at least 5%, then you’re missing out on free money. Increase your percentage today by logging into your agency’s or service’s electronic payroll system and upping your contribution amount.
The TSP continually strives to improve your experience with us. We’re excited about these changes and want to keep you informed every step of the way. Stay up to date by adding your email address in My Account to receive our electronic communications, following us on Facebook and Twitter, and visiting us on our website. As always, my goal is to ensure that we serve you and your beneficiaries well.
