I Want Back in the TSP

[Longtimefed]

Hi all. I'm a new post to TSP talk and am hopeful someone out here can help me. I retired in June 2012 and moved my entire TSP balance to an IRA. Probably the dumbest financial move I could have made. With the fees charged by my "advisor" plus the costs of mutual funds in which he has me invested, my balance is shrinking rather than growing. In 2014, I would have made $20,000 more in L2020 than I did in my IRA. I want to go back! Does anyone know how I might be able to move my funds back to TSP short of getting another federal job? Thanks so much.

 

[nasa1974]

Hi all. I'm a new post to TSP talk and am hopeful someone out here can help me. I retired in June 2012 and moved my entire TSP balance to an IRA. Probably the dumbest financial move I could have made. With the fees charged by my "advisor" plus the costs of mutual funds in which he has me invested, my balance is shrinking rather than growing. In 2014, I would have made $20,000 more in L2020 than I did in my IRA. I want to go back! Does anyone know how I might be able to move my funds back to TSP short of getting another federal job? Thanks so much.

Longtimefed,

According to Form TSP-60, you have to have an active TSP account in order to transfer funds from an eligible retirement plan. So unless your TSP account is still active the answer would be, no. Sorry. Maybe you can shop around and find a different investment firm that will have smaller fees. Good luck.

 

[tsptalk]

Welcome Longtimefed!

You can transfer to another IRA like Scottrade, Fidelity (both of which I use) or any discount broker, where you can take charge of your own account. You'll get interest on anything in "cash" and trading / transfer fees are fairly small and are only charged when you make a trade. Just a suggestion.

Good luck!

 

[MrJohnRoss]

If you're paying an advisor on top of the mutual fund fees, I'd put an end to that right now, unless they can justify it. (Beware of the smooth talkers).

You should be able to get a low cost mutual fund that is the equivalent to the L2020 quite easily.

Just one man's opinion, FWIW.

 

[uscfanhawaii]

If you prefer index funds (usually the lowest fees), I like Vanguard funds. They also have a lot of on-line tools for do-it-yourselfers. You can also buy individual stocks.
:usa:

 

[pmaloney]

Here is an excerpt of suggestions for Low cost Vanguard Index funds comparable to CSI & F Funds I found recently.

Noted efficient-market expert William Bernstein advises allocating into just four fund.:
The Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
The Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
The Vanguard European Stock Index (VEURX)
The Vanguard Small-Cap Index (NAESX).

I also had an IRA in the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX).

I have also had a lot of luck with the VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares.

Good Luck!

 

[rktect1]

If you're paying an advisor on top of the mutual fund fees, I'd put an end to that right now, unless they can justify it. (Beware of the smooth talkers).

You should be able to get a low cost mutual fund that is the equivalent to the L2020 quite easily.

Just one man's opinion, FWIW.

Two mens opinions.

run while you still have money.

 

[rktect1]

I love Vanguard.