TSP continues upward trek for third straight month

The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program maintained its streak of modest growth for the third straight month in September, with the investment option posting positive returns.

Leading the way last month were the common stocks of the Thrift Savings Plan’s C Fund, which gained 2.13%. Since January, the C Fund has increased 22.04% in value. Close behind was the S Fund, which is made up of small- and mid-size business investments, increasing 1.55% in September and marking 11.69% in growth so far in 2024.

The fixed income (F) fund continued its upward trajectory in September, gaining 1.34%. Since January, the F Fund has grown 4.52%.

The international (I) fund ticked up 0.77% last month, bringing its performance this year to 11.69% in the black. The TSP’s G Fund, which is made up of government securities, grew by its statutorily mandated rate of 0.33%. Since January, the G Fund has grown 3.31%.

Each of the TSP’s lifecycle (L) funds, which shift toward more conservative investments as participants get closer to retirement, likewise finished last month in the black. The L Income Fund, designed for participants who have already begun making withdrawals, increased 0.72%; L 2025, 0.80%; L 2030, 1.15%: L 2035, 1.24%; L 2040, 1.31%; L 2045, 1.38%; L 2050, 1.44%; L 2055, 1.58%; L 2060, 1.58%; L 2065, 1.58%; and L 2070, 1.58%.

So far this year, the L Income Fund has grown 7.01%; L 2025, 8.02%; L 2030, 11.91%; L 2035, 12.76%; L 2040, 13.59%; L 2045, 14.30%; L 2050, 15.01%; L 2055, 17.41%; L 2060, 17.41%; and L 2065, 17.41%. The L 2070 fund launched in July, and will not have year-to-date statistics available until 2025.