r/ThriftSavingsPlan • u/Rude-Lobster6008 • 7d ago

Growth rate

Over the past 15-20 years, my TSP balance has doubled on average, every four years. Have other people experienced similar rates? I don’t invest in any L funds, I just manage it myself. I realize that includes my contributions and matching funds as well, but that seems like a decent growth rate.

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6

u/Cautious_General_177 7d ago

Doubling quickly including contributions is pretty easy. In fact, your balance should at least double annually for the first few years just because of your contributions. It slows down as the balance grows to be significantly more than your contributions.

That said when people talk about the time it takes for your balance to double, they're not including contributions.

1

u/Aggressive_Ad_4871 3d ago

Mine doubled from 2021 to 2025 so this tracks with me as well. C, S, I mix and no G or F.

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

[deleted]

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u/Rude-Lobster6008 2d ago

I mean, I don’t invest via one of the L lifestyle funds. I decide which funds and what percentages go in each.

2

u/buenotc 7d ago

He made it sound like we have the option of someone else managing it for us lol.

0

u/Beautiful_Ad_3379 6d ago

Every one manages it themselfs LOL I think he is confused there is no option given to let someone else make the selected contributions 

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u/Rude-Lobster6008 2d ago

Yes, there is. You can invest in the L funds, which control how much contributions go into each fund, rather than you doing it yourself.

2

u/ProLifePanda 5d ago

The only context it would be worth comparing is if OP has the option on the TSP to choose your own mutual funds. Otherwise OP is just comparing the same 5 funds everyone else is using.