TSP Stagnates in September

The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program had a bumpy September, as two funds lost value and the rest only posted slight grains.

The Thrift Savings Plan’s F Fund, made up of fixed-income bonds, fell 0.62 percent last month, bringing its total losses in 2018 to 1.48 percent. And the small- and mid-size businesses of the S Fund lost 1.76 percent in September, bringing the fund's gains down to 10.85 percent since January.

The rest of the portfolios in the program all showed slight gains in September. The common stocks of the C Fund grew 0.57 percent last month, bringing its 2018 returns up to 10.54 percent. And the I Fund, made up of international investments, grew 0.91 percent, bringing its losses since January to 1.06 percent.

The G Fund, which is made up of government securities, increased 0.24 percent in September, bringing its 2018 gains to 2.12 percent.

The lifecycle (L) funds, which shift toward more secure investments as participants get closer to retirement, all posted slight gains in September. The L Income Fund increased 0.21 percent last month; L 2020, 0.22 percent; L 2030, 0.23 percent; L 2040, 0.22 percent; L 2050, 0.21 percent.

So far in 2018, the L Income Fund has grown 2.96 percent; L 2020, 3.52 percent; L 2030, 4.96 percent; L 2040, 5.50 percent; and L 2050, 5.99 percent.