Retirement Savings Funds Hit a September Slump

Funds in the federal employee Thrift Savings Plan ended September mostly in the red, coming off of a much stronger August.

The government securities (G) fund was the only TSP offering that posted gains in September, albeit very modest growth of 0.18 percent.  The G Fund – one of the retirement plan’s more stable options – has grown 1.75 percent in 2014.

Fixed income bonds in the F Fund had the smallest loss for September, at 0.58 percent. They are up 4.73 percent for the year so far.

Common stocks in the C Fund ended September down 1.4 percent, but have gained 8.41 percent for 2014.

The S Fund, invested in small and midsize companies, also was up for the year, with 1.18 percent in gains. But it lost the most ground in September, ending the month 5.1 percent in the red.

International stocks were the only TSP offering that posted losses for both September and 2014 to date. The I Fund was down 3.82 percent last month and 1.06 percent for the year.

The TSP’s lifecycle funds – designed to move investors to less risky portfolios as they near retirement – were all down for September. L Income, for participants who have already started withdrawing money, lost 0.42 percent for September. L 2020 was down 1.36 percent for the month; L 2030, 1.84 percent; L 2040, 2.18 percent; and L 2050, 2.5 percent.

The news was much more positive for the year to date, with L Income up 2.61 percent in 2014; L 2020, 3.38 percent; L 2030, 3.7 percent; L 2040, 3.88 percent; and L 2050, 3.97 percent.  

(Image via JMiks / Shutterstock.com)