TSP Funds Continue Their Growth Streak

Investment options in the federal employee retirement program all end May in the black.

All of the funds in the federal employee retirement program continued to grow in May, albeit at a relatively modest rate.

The small and midsize companies represented in the Thrift Savings Plan’s S Fund increased the most in May, ending the month up 1.81 percent. They were up 2.85 percent for the year to date.

The common stocks in the C Fund weren’t far behind, with growth of 1.8 percent last month. The C Fund was the second highest earner for 2016 so far, rising 3.6 percent.

International stocks were up just 0.27 percent last month, and the I Fund was the only TSP offering that was in the red for the year to date. The fund was down 0.12 percent for 2016.

The stable but lower growth government securities (G) fund ended May up 0.15 percent, and earned 0.78 percent for the year to date. Fixed income bonds in the F Fund also had very modest growth last month, rising 0.08 percent. The F Fund was up 3.63 percent for 2016, though, marking the best returns of any fund over that time period.

The lifecycle funds – which shift to more conservative portfolios as participants’ anticipated retirement dates grow closer – all ended May slightly up. The L Income fund for those who have already started withdrawing money was up 0.38 percent. L 2020 grew 0.69 percent; L 2030, 0.91 percent; L 2040, 1.03 percent; and L 2050, 1.15 percent.

L Income was up 1.35 percent for 2016. L 2020 rose 1.75 percent for the year to date; L 2030, 2.06 percent; L 2040, 2.20 percent; and L 2050, 2.27 percent.