Colleagues,
I am new to this website, and look forward to sharing insights with other TSP account holders.
I am retired from the Federal government, with some 33 yearsin the Navy, the Foreign Service and the Civil Service. I paid in to the TSP from the day it opened in 1988 until the day I retired in 2013. Inever missed a matching dollar from the government, although I contributed atdifferent levels, between 5 and 10 percent. I paid in the extra amounts allowed once Iturned 50. I once borrowed from my TSP accountfor a down payment on a house, but paid it back as soon as I could. I have not yet drawn down on my TSP account. I am 62.
For the past ten years I have followed a buy low, sell highstrategy, switching back and forth between the G fund and the 2013 Fund. This year I used the C Fund instead of the2030 Fund due to the high unpredictability of the other funds.
My January-November 2015 rate of return is 13.54%. My 2014 rate was 10.25%. My 2013 rate was 12.36%.
My balance as of this morning, all in the G Fund, is$1,281,455.96. I made two IFTs in December, 12/3 all into the C Fund and 12/4 all into the G Fund, for a gain of over $26,000.
I have recently spoken to a financial advisor who sang the praises of taking money out of the TSP in tranches and to convert the sums withdrawn into a Roth IRA, to save on taxes which could be substantial, given the required minimum withdrawals that will apply when I am in my mid-80's. I am not so sure. I am thinking instead of drawing down the TSP over several years, starting at 65, and putting the money into tax-free municipals.
Insights welcome.
I am new to this website, and look forward to sharing insights with other TSP account holders.
I am retired from the Federal government, with some 33 yearsin the Navy, the Foreign Service and the Civil Service. I paid in to the TSP from the day it opened in 1988 until the day I retired in 2013. Inever missed a matching dollar from the government, although I contributed atdifferent levels, between 5 and 10 percent. I paid in the extra amounts allowed once Iturned 50. I once borrowed from my TSP accountfor a down payment on a house, but paid it back as soon as I could. I have not yet drawn down on my TSP account. I am 62.
For the past ten years I have followed a buy low, sell highstrategy, switching back and forth between the G fund and the 2013 Fund. This year I used the C Fund instead of the2030 Fund due to the high unpredictability of the other funds.
My January-November 2015 rate of return is 13.54%. My 2014 rate was 10.25%. My 2013 rate was 12.36%.
My balance as of this morning, all in the G Fund, is$1,281,455.96. I made two IFTs in December, 12/3 all into the C Fund and 12/4 all into the G Fund, for a gain of over $26,000.
I have recently spoken to a financial advisor who sang the praises of taking money out of the TSP in tranches and to convert the sums withdrawn into a Roth IRA, to save on taxes which could be substantial, given the required minimum withdrawals that will apply when I am in my mid-80's. I am not so sure. I am thinking instead of drawing down the TSP over several years, starting at 65, and putting the money into tax-free municipals.
Insights welcome.
