Across-the-Board Gains for TSP Funds in March

Every investment fund in the Thrift Savings Plan experienced gains in March, with most funds improving upon their previous month’s performance.

The S Fund -- which is invested in small and midsize companies and tracks the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index -- continued to have the strongest 2013, gaining 4.69 percent in March. It has gained 13.09 percent this year and 17.16 percent over the last 12 months.

The C Fund, invested in common stocks, also had a strong month, gaining 3.75 percent. The fund has grown nearly 14 percent in the last 12 months.

The rest of the funds grew modestly in March. International stocks in the I Fund were back in the black, gaining 0.88 percent after experiencing nearly a 1 percent loss in February. The G Fund -- which invests in government securities and is TSP’s most stable offering -- inched up 0.13 percent for the third straight month. The fixed income (F) fund experienced the smallest gain last month, growing just 0.07 percent.

The I Fund has grown 11.59 percent over the last 12 months; the G Fund, 1.46 percent; and the F Fund, 3.98 percent.  

The lifecycle funds, designed to move investors to less risky portfolios as they near retirement, showed strong gains in March, with all investments improving upon February’s numbers. L Income -- for TSP participants who have already started withdrawing money -- rose 0.73 percent; L 2020 was up 1.69 percent; L 2030 gained 2.12 percent; L 2040 grew 2.44 percent; and L 2050 increased 2.71 percent.

Over the last 12 months, L Income gained 4.15 percent; L 2020 improved 8.42 percent; L 2030 rose 10.22 percent; L 2040 grew 11.55 percent; and L 2050 jumped 12.72 percent. 

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