TSP Portfolios Fall for First Time Since January

Nearly every portfolio in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value in September, ending an eight-month streak of continued growth.

The Thrift Savings Plan’s government securities (G) fund was the only fund to finish last month in the black, gaining 0.11%. So far this year, the G Fund has increased 0.99%.

The fixed income bonds in the F Fund lost 0.86% last month, bringing its 2021 performance down to 1.4% in the red. The international stocks in the I Fund fell 2.81%, reducing its gains this year to 8.56%.

The small- and mid-size businesses in the S Fund lost 4% in September. So far this year, the S Fund has grown 11.66%. The common stocks of the C Fund saw the worst performance of the five main portfolios, falling 4.65% last month. But that fund continues to boast the best performance this year, at 15.9%.

Each of the TSP’s lifecycle (L) funds, which shift toward more stable investments as participants get closer to retirement, ended September in the red. The L Income Fund lost 0.87%; L 2025 was down 1.78%; L 2030 decreased 2.37%; L 2035 was 2.61% in the red; L 2040 decreased 2.85%; L 2045 fell 3.05%; L 2050 was down 3.25%; L 2055 decreased 3.87%; L 2060 fell 3.87%; and L 2065 dropped 3.87%.

So far in 2021, the L Income Fund has gained 3.52%; L 2025, 6.4%; L 2030, 7.92%; L 2035, 8.58%; L 2040, 9.26%; L 2045, 9.83%; L 2050, 10.41%; L 2055, 12.65%; L 2060, 12.65%; and L 2065, 12.65%.