nasa1974's Account Talk

[nasa1974]

Here's a link to some interesting pictures from inside the spacestation.

Spooky Space Station / Highlights / Human Spaceflight / Our Activities / ESA

 

[nasa1974]

From Govexec.com

Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com


TSP Funds Rebound in October

By Amelia Gruber November 3, 2014 4 Comments
TSP Funds Rebound in October - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com


Sai Yeung Chan / Shutterstock.com


"All but one of the funds in the federal employee Thrift Savings Plan gained ground in October, reversing a decline the previous month.

The S Fund, invested in small and midsize companies, was up the most in October, growing 4.11 percent. It has increased 5.34 percent so far in 2014.

The common stocks in the C Fund had the second-strongest showing in last month, growing 2.45 percent. The C Fund has earned 11.06 percent for the year to date.

The G and F funds had much more modest growth in October. The fixed income bonds in the F Fund inched up 0.96 percent, while the government securities in the G Fund gained 0.20 percent. The F Fund is up 5.73 percent for the year, while the G Fund has earned 1.95 percent..."

 

[nasa1974]

September meeting minutes from the FRTIB

http://www.frtib.gov/MeetingMinutes/2014/2014Sep.pdf

I found this set of graphs very interesting.

http://www.frtib.gov/pdf/minutes/MM-2014Sep-Att1.pdf

 

[Frixxxx]

September meeting minutes from the FRTIB

http://www.frtib.gov/MeetingMinutes/2014/2014Sep.pdf

I found this set of graphs very interesting.

http://www.frtib.gov/pdf/minutes/MM-2014Sep-Att1.pdf

Should have posted these on the FRTIB thread!

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

Should have posted these on the FRTIB thread!

Well, MOD, copy it over... sheesh, you should sleep in more, you are getting grumpy

 

[Frixxxx]

Well, MOD, copy it over... sheesh, you should sleep in more, you are getting grumpy

It was a nudge to another mod RMI!

"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!":toung:

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

It was a nudge to another mod RMI!

"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!":toung:

Oh, yeah, I guess he is isn't he (he is a he, right?)

Well, I've seen you pissed off, does that count? :blink:

 

[nasa1974]

Should have posted these on the FRTIB thread!

I can copy it over to the FRTIB thread, but I have always posted this info here. I think I do it mostly to keep me close to the first page and not page 4.

 

[nasa1974]

Oh, yeah, I guess he is isn't he (he is a he, right?)

Well, I've seen you pissed off, does that count? :blink:

Thanks RMI. I think!!!!:laugh:

 

[nasa1974]

The latest and greatest from Govexec.com

Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com


Pay & Benefits
Six Areas Where the New Congress Could Squeeze Feds

Union leaders are worried about pay and benefits under Republican control.

November 6 14 Comments


Pay & Benefits
The Retirement Claims Backlog is Back Where It Was One Year Ago

Inventory grows by almost 1,400 in October, following a surge in ...

November 6 4 Comments


Defense One
The Military Wants New Technologies To Fight Drones

These are the technologies we will use to counter drones in the future. By Patrick Tucker

November 6 1 Comment

 

[nasa1974]

Another interesting article from Govexec.com


Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com


Just glad I'm retired. Hope they don't try to mess with our pensions.

Lawmakers Aim to Fire More Federal Employees in 2015
By Eric Katz November 7, 2014 64 Comments
Lawmakers Aim to Fire More Federal Employees in 2015 - Management - GovExec.com

"Some lawmakers are looking to the new Congress to pass legislation to ease the firing of federal employees, with hopes the Republican-controlled Senate will be friendlier to the idea...."

 

[BichonFreeze]

That story made me sad. You could say my federal career is in it's infancy, so I'm expecting to get hit by a benefits shafting at some point.

Like you I agree, I hope whatever "reforms", or should I say "pension cuts" they do will rollout with options like the FERS and CSRS; at least we'd get a choice to go with one or the other.

One thing I'm really worried about for pensions is, if the trend of governing by attrition continues, then there will be a serious pension issue with fewer people contributing and more people drawing benefits. In that case we'd need to either fill the difference by cutting benefits or by increasing contributions. A losing scenario for all.

 

[nasa1974]

More from Govexec.com


Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com

TSP Moves Closer to Offering Mutual Fund Option

Board still has more homework to do on costs and implementation, but so far supports the additional investment flexibility for feds.
November 12 7 Comments

Postal Employees’ Health Care Costs Will Rise Far Less Than Originally Estimated

OPM vastly overstated increase in employees’ share of ...
November 12 2 Comments

Senator: Good Federal Employees Can’t Be Ordered on Amazon

Lawmaker wants respect and resources for the federal workforce. November 12 15 Comments

Health Care Choices, Retirement Savings Safeguards, Faster Holiday Travel and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news. November 12 1 Comment

 

[weatherweenie]

None of the links seem to work.

More from Govexec.com

View attachment 31062
Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com

TSP Moves Closer to Offering Mutual Fund Option

Board still has more homework to do on costs and implementation, but so far supports the additional investment flexibility for feds.
November 12 7 Comments

Postal Employees’ Health Care Costs Will Rise Far Less Than Originally Estimated

OPM vastly overstated increase in employees’ share of ...
November 12 2 Comments

Senator: Good Federal Employees Can’t Be Ordered on Amazon

Lawmaker wants respect and resources for the federal workforce. November 12 15 Comments

Health Care Choices, Retirement Savings Safeguards, Faster Holiday Travel and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news. November 12 1 Comment

 

[nasa1974]

None of the links seem to work.

Use this link is the main page for Govexec.com.
Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com

I just cut and pasted the headlines from the main page tjhis morning. I was in a hurry and usually link the individual pages.

 

[Cactus]

Soooo -- TSP is dragging their feet but reluctantly considering offering us a Mutual Fund option. Now if they would only give us more than two IFT's a month I'd be happy.

 

[BichonFreeze]

Would be interesting to see the returns on a mutual fund option.

 

[nasa1974]

Soooo -- TSP is dragging their feet but reluctantly considering offering us a Mutual Fund option. Now if they would only give us more than two IFT's a month I'd be happy.

That would make a lot of people happy.

 

[nasa1974]

Some more interesting stuff from Govexec.com.

Government News, Research and Events for Federal Employees - GovExec.com



Despite Promises, Path to Avoiding a Shutdown Remains Treacherous
By Eric Katz November 17, 2014 22 Comments
Despite Promises, Path to Avoiding a Shutdown Remains Treacherous - Oversight - GovExec.com



TSP Board Green Lights More Homework on Mutual Fund Option
By Kellie Lunney November 17, 2014 1 Comment
TSP Board Green Lights More Homework on Mutual Fund Option - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com



Don't forget to click on the main page for more stories.

 

[nasa1974]

I was checking out the FRTIB website and decided to finally look at the 2013 survey. If you have the time it was interesting. It is 69 pages.

This was taken from page 8 of the survey;

"The original stratified, random sample was 48,146 Federal employees and uniformed services members. Aon Hewitt mailed an announcement postcard to the sample on August 30, 2013 alerting them that the survey would be coming. In addition to the postcard announcement, TSP website banners and a related video posted to the TSP channel on YouTube were used to further promote the survey effort.

On September 11, 2013, Aon Hewitt mailed survey packets containing a cover letter, questionnaire, and postage-paid return envelope to the sample to achieve a reliable and representative sample. In the cover letter, potential respondents were given the option and related instructions to complete the survey online as well. There were 1,413 survey packets returned as undeliverable, leaving 46,733 eligible for completion. The sample was sent a reminder postcard on September 24, 2013. An additional reminder postcard announcing the survey deadline extension was mailed to the sample on October 22, 2013. In addition, reminder messages and deadline extension announcements were posted on the TSP website banner and plan news/announcement pages as well as on the account access page of the sampled participants.

A total of 5,524 participants completed the online or paper survey (useable surveys) for a total response rate of 11.8%. This response rate lags the typical range Aon Hewitt generally obtains from similar surveys in the private sector (typically 25%–35%). It should be noted that this benchmark is for on-line survey administration via email invitation, which may account for much of the difference."


What I found interesting was the information in the 3rd paragraph. Why is it that the FRTIB has an inversion to using the internet for better communication with it's members? Anyway, I did not receive a postcard and wonder if anyone participating on this website received one?

This information is from the April 2014 meeting minutes (4,628,444 TSP participants). So the survey was mailed to just over 1% and 11.8% responded. So the FRTIB is satisfied that 0.01% of it's members are happy. I think I did the math correctly. So take out of this what you want but it appears that 0.01% speaks for all of us.