The YTD returns for the TSP that I found on another site were:
G=2.9%, F=2.4%, C=1.3%, S=1.4% and I=1.9% If you are a long term investor, The numbers tell you where you should be!
And, I would not be in the F fund with interest rates on the rise.
With the TSP account and the various fund options: interfund transfers, contribution allocations, etc., you are managing one leg (of three) of your (FERS) retirement.
The G fund has always been a safe small growth fund invested in short term US Treasury securities. The other funds are index funds that follow the ups and down of the stock market, kind of like being in mutual funds. However, these funds are at investors risk!!! You have down times, and, up times, combination times (cycles), and whatever. These funds, in my opinion, have to be managed. There will be times that the stock (C-S-I) funds will be good i.e., a bull market. There will be times that stock (C-S-I) funds should be minimized, especially during bearish times when the market goes down. TSP is your account. Other than the G fund, F-C-S-I funds need informed management. Who is informed management, well right now, that's YOU! It's your account.
What do I recommend.... Actively manage your accounts, get informed, take control, get educated in the markets, etc., and your options. Basicially, you will need to take responsibility over your account(s), if not, stay in the G fund.
There are various web sites that can be of help, tsptalk is good, you get to hear from fellow members. tspmoney can help, along with yahoo finance, and a lot of other sites.
TSP and no one else is going to liable themselves on investment opinions. The system is designed for you the investor to take command of your own funds and make gains or losses, at your own discretion.
For what it's worth: My opinion, is to stay in the G fund. Venture out at your own risk, if you venture out, you need to be taught how to defend your self ...(deer survival 101.......). This is another matter....!
I have a problem with the FERS system. It was created by Congress that included a TSP system where members were not trained in how it operated, and where members suffer from the lack of knowledge that injures their TSP.......This is not good!
I have voised my opinion to my union... ( AFGE / AFL-CIO), in regards to this matter, with no response recieved, to date.
So what can I say?.....Long term investments: Stay with the G fund, until trained, educated, otherwise, or venture at your own risk!
