Most TSP Funds Continued to Gain Ground in March

Every portfolio save one in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program continued their strong 2019 performance in March.

The common stocks of the Thrift Savings Plan’s C Fund posted the strongest growth last month, increasing by 1.95 percent. So far in 2019, the portfolio has grown 13.65 percent. And the fixed income (F) fund rebounded from a February that ended in the red, growing 1.93 percent. That brings its 2019 gains to 2.95 percent.

The I Fund, which is made up of international stocks, grew 0.71 percent last month, bringing its 2019 growth to 10.09 percent. And the G Fund, which invests in government securities, grew by the statutorily mandated rate of 0.23 percent last month. Thus far in 2019, the G Fund has grown 0.67 percent.

The S Fund, which invests in small to mid-sized companies, lost 1.03 percent, the only portfolio to lose value in March. Despite the setback, the S Fund still reports a 15.99 percent increase so far this year.

All portfolios in the TSP’s lifecycle funds, which shift to more stable investments as participants get closer to retirement, grew last month. The L Income Fund increased 0.52 percent; L 2020, 0.61 percent; L 2030, 0.87 percent; L 2040, 0.96 percent; and L 2050, 1.02 percent.

So far this year, the L Income Fund grew 3.18 percent; L 2020, 4.25 percent; L 2030, 7.96 percent; L 2040, 9.40 percent; and L 2050, 10.65 percent.