Most TSP Funds Crept Up in November

November was a relatively strong month for participants in the Thrift Savings Plan, as nearly all of the offerings in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program made gains in November.

Leading the way were the small- and mid-size businesses of the S Fund, which grew 4.54% last month. So far in 2019, the S Fund has increased 25.27%. The C Fund’s common stocks increased 3.63%, bringing its growth this year to 27.61%.

The I Fund, which is made up of international investments, grew 1.15% in November. So far this year, the fund has increased 18.63%.

The fixed income bonds in the F Fund were the only TSP offering to lose value, dropping 0.05% last month. The F Fund has grown a total of 8.76% so far this year. The G Fund, which is made up of government securities, increased 0.14% last month, bringing its 2019 gains up to 2.08%.

All of the TSP’s lifecycle (L) funds, which shift toward more stable investments as participants get closer to retirement, posted gains in November. The L Income Fund, designed for people who have already begun making withdrawals, increased 0.71%; L 2020, 0.83%; L 2030, 1.77%; L 2040, 2.10%; and L 2050, 2.38%.

So far this year, the L Income Fund has grown 6.81%; L 2020, 8.44%; L 2030, 15.49%; L 2040, 18.14%; and L 2050, 20.41%.