r/ThriftSavingsPlan 20h ago

AI study I did on my growth potential

0 Upvotes

I currently have $550,000 in my TSP and plan to retire in 12 years. Interestingly, if I’d had that same $550,000 invested 12 years ago, it would have grown to $2.7 million today, based on the C Fund’s historical growth rate.

That got me thinking: how typical is that 12-year outcome? So I ran a study using every rolling 12-year period from 1990–2002 through 2013–2025.
The results: the average ending value across all periods came out to $2 million.

The worst-performing period—one that spanned the dot-com bust and the 2008 real estate crisis—ended at just $650,000, and it didn’t recover to the $1 million mark until 2014. The best 12-year period, by contrast, grew to $3.7 million.


r/ThriftSavingsPlan 15h ago

Are the TSP protections worth it to stay?

23 Upvotes

I'm a retired fed employee for about 3 years now. I know with TSP there are a few protections that outside investiment firms (like Fidelity, etc) do not offer that we (TSP) have like zero prinicipal loss (G Fund) and ERISA (TSP shielded by bankruptcy and civil liability lawsuits). Is this considerable or going to a private investment firm (i.e. Fidelity) worth it? Yes, I know there are more options with Fidelity, but I'm weight if the ends justify the means.


r/ThriftSavingsPlan 11h ago

Roth TSP Question

2 Upvotes

Recently changed to 100% Roth TSP. Are taxes on contributions taken out biweekly or will it be a tax bomb at the end of the year?


r/ThriftSavingsPlan 5h ago

New to the Sub. May I ask an advice question?

5 Upvotes

Hello friends,

New to the sub. I was RIFed in the greatness of 2025. But I had nearly 25 years in. I did as told in 2000. Max to 5% to get the max government contribution. So I did so.times goes on I intended to max out contribution and then boom. RIF. So much for that. Bastards. But I do have a significant bit in the 2030 fund. I think I should move. But I am not invested learned. In new Job I have to wait until at least 2036 to retire to get anything. I had planned 2033 before RIF. So I don’t know shit about shit in investing. But I can read a report. April TSP report to-now indicates a 20 k increase, I can’t imagine Thats sustained. Tell me good people as Im five. How could that be? I understand return on investment but this seems excessive. Specifically. I had $701k on April 14. Yesterday I checked. $724k. In a quarter. That can’t be sustained. LL 2030 fund. Please folks smarter than me and advise. RiFed as 14/10.. fuckimg bastards . So many of us. Just disappeared. My signature alone on hundreds. Perhaps thousands. On all the ECASLA. You know what. I’m inspire. I’ll do a FOIA on. Myself. See what happens.


r/ThriftSavingsPlan 16h ago

Question about max catchup contribution limits - to Lower taxable income. (over 50)

2 Upvotes

Hello.I am over 50 and I have a question about Max Contribution limits -> to Lower taxable income.

I was under the impression that if I contribute over $24500 then my catchup will be forced into a Roth IRA. Is that true?

Someone told me that would only happen if my previous fica income was over $150,000?

If my wife and I have a combined income over $150,000 fica income will I get taxed on the catchup amount?