TSP Inches Forward in April

The Thrift Savings Plan’s S Fund – invested in small and midsize companies and tracking the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index – fell 2.47 percent in April, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The S Fund, which has gained 21.75 percent during the last 12 months, was the only TSP offering in the red last month; however, the other returns, while positive, were lackluster. Of the funds in the black, the international (I) fund performed the best in April, increasing 1.51 percent and picking up 13.68 percent since April 2013. This is the second consecutive month the S Fund has been in the red.

The C Fund, invested in common stocks, gained 0.75 percent in April, after a 0.85 boost in March. The fund has grown 20.53 percent during the last 12 months. The fixed income (F) fund rose 0.90 percent last month, gaining just 0.21 percent over the last 12 months.

The always reliable G Fund, invested in government securities, also grew just barely in April, increasing 0.20 percent. It has gained 2.17 percent during the last 12 months.

The lifecycle (L) funds -- designed to move investors to less risky portfolios as they near retirement -- all yielded positive returns in April, as they did in March and February. The L Income Fund for TSP participants who already have started withdrawing money gained 0.31 percent last month. L 2020 increased 0.39 percent in April; L 2030 gained 0.37 percent; L 2040 was up 0.32 percent; and L 2050 saw a 0.32 percent boost.

Over the last 12 months, L Income is up 5.34 percent; L 2020, 10.62 percent; L 2030, 13 percent; L 2040, 14.7 percent; and L 2050, 16.33 percent.

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