Thrift Savings Plan Funds Move Back to Black in May

The Thrift Savings Plan looked healthier in May than in April, with all the funds in the black last month, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.

The S Fund, invested in small and midsize companies and tracking the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index, emerged in May from a two-month stay in the red, increasing 1.52 percent last month. The fund has risen 20.33 percent in the past 12 months.

The most robust of the TSP’s offerings in May was the C Fund, invested in common stocks and gaining 2.35 percent. The fund, which saw a 0.75 percent boost in April, has increased 20.54 percent in the past 12 months.

TSP’s international (I) fund continued its growth, rising 1.72 percent last month after increasing 1.51 percent in April. The fund has picked up 19.35 percent since May 2013.

The fixed income (F) fund rose 1.21 percent last month, gaining 3.26 percent over the last 12 months, while the always reliable G fund, invested in government securities, remained the same, inching up 0.20 percent in May. The G Fund has increased 2.26 percent since May 2013.

The lifecycle (L) funds -- designed to move investors to less risky portfolios as they near retirement -- all yielded positive returns in May, as they have the past few months. The L Income Fund for TSP participants who already have started withdrawing money gained 0.64 percent last month. L 2020 increased 1.20 percent in May; L 2030 gained 1.46 percent; L 2040 was up 1.63 percent; and L 2050 saw a 1.78 percent boost.

Over the last 12 months, L Income is up 5.81 percent; L 2020, 11.59 percent; L 2030, 14.16 percent; L 2040, 15.97 percent; and L 2050, 17.78 percent.

(Image via Alex Mit/Shutterstock.com)