TSP TWO-FACTOR Authentication to be mandatory

[James48843]

This was sent out today form TSP: Two Factor Authentication becomes MANDATORY soon.

Two-step authentication becomes mandatory in December


All TSP participants must have validated contact information and use two-step authentication to log into My Account beginning December 2019. You can avoid interruption to your account access by adding these security features in your My Account Profile Settings now. Download instructions (pdf).

Two-step authentication helps protect your account against fraud. This login process is more secure because it means that online access to your account requires something you know (your account number or username and password) and something you have (the one-time code you receive in your email or on your phone). Someone who tries to log into your account fraudulently won't be able to gain access without the code.

Have you set up your account for Two-Factor Authentication yet?

 

[Cactus]

I have for web access but can't figure out what to do for the phone. When you call into TSP menu they give you the same two factor authentication message but don't tell you what to do. If I'm the phone in their menu they can't call me to give me an authentication code. :???:

 

[RippinLip420]

how can i find an actual tsp Q&A forum?..... its like they wont't allow it to exist?!!!??????!!!

 

[RippinLip420]

log in on an actual computer and set it up

 

[CrabClaw]

an unnecessary requirement if you ask me. the TSP password complexity is already enough.

 

[nnuut]

I just tried this and it never sent my validation code to my email. Typical, I'll try again later!:nuts:

 

[dannyboy]

There is never enough cyber-security. For those federal workers who have been in the TSP for decades and have had wonderful returns, we have become targets for other federal workers who have not. When federal workers work in close proximity, we need that extra security from our co-workers. I have multiple computer degrees and I signed up for that from the start. I kind of forget now if there was any problems I came across, but I've been using it. It is very important to me to keep my retire funds safe.
d

 

[nasa1974]

I've been using the two-factor authentication for awhile. I have a choice to either email me the code or text it to my cell phone. It's been awhile since I set it up so I can't help there.

 

[James48843]

I haven't set it up yet. -( )

But today I forgot my cell -phone at home.

(I hate when that happens).

I'd hate to miss being able to do a move because I didn't have a second alternative set up for two factor.

Just saying....

 

[Talan150]

I was actually going to turn this off before I saw the message. At my desk, I have extremely poor cell reception so I can't get the text in time. I got a message yesterday that my IP had changed while I was waiting. I haven't tried the email function yet. I guess we're stuck with it. I don't see the need. You can't do much of anything as far as withdrawal from the site. Heck you have to have a paper form notarized and snail mailed to get any money out. Oh well. Maybe I am just getting old. HEY YOU GET OFF MY LAWN!!! Darn KIDS

 

[Bquat]

I haven't set it up yet. -( )

But today I forgot my cell -phone at home.

(I hate when that happens).

I'd hate to miss being able to do a move because I didn't have a second alternative set up for two factor.

Just saying....

When prompted you can select email option too, but that is probably your home email.

 

[Valkyrie]

I was actually going to turn this off before I saw the message. At my desk, I have extremely poor cell reception so I can't get the text in time. I got a message yesterday that my IP had changed while I was waiting. I haven't tried the email function yet. I guess we're stuck with it. I don't see the need. You can't do much of anything as far as withdrawal from the site. Heck you have to have a paper form notarized and snail mailed to get any money out. Oh well. Maybe I am just getting old. HEY YOU GET OFF MY LAWN!!! Darn KIDS

it is disgusting no need for it. but they get cell phone numbers and email addresses they can sell to marketers via the service providers. and now one cannot make a last minute decision waiting for the code on one's email, esp for me I 95% only use the cell phone to talk on it and most of the time it is turned off. every little thing they do pushes me closer to closing the account out.

and what if I or another person doesn't have email or a cell phone? too many companies now assume everybody does, this also goes along with a printer.

 

[Khotso]

There is never enough cyber-security. For those federal workers who have been in the TSP for decades and have had wonderful returns, we have become targets for other federal workers who have not. When federal workers work in close proximity, we need that extra security from our co-workers. I have multiple computer degrees and I signed up for that from the start. I kind of forget now if there was any problems I came across, but I've been using it. It is very important to me to keep my retire funds safe.
d

Targets for other federal workers? Extra security from co-workers? Boy, I'm glad I never felt that need. Where in the heck do you work that your co-workers are likely crooks?

I have a hard enough time logging into my account with the current security let alone two-factor authentication. This is getting ridiculous. It should be our personal choice, just like the number of IFTs we make in a month should be our choice (they can always charge a fee to cover expenses on their end resulting from more IFTs -- I'd rather that then the limitations we now have).. Okay, end of rant.

 

[nasa1974]

This was sent out today form TSP: Two Factor Authentication becomes MANDATORY soon.


Have you set up your account for Two-Factor Authentication yet? [/SIZE]

I haven't gotten any email from TSP about this. Either my home or work email.
Sure would suck if you didn't get notified and you get locked out of your account.

 

[Cactus]

I just tried this and it never sent my validation code to my email. Typical, I'll try again later!:nuts:

Look in your spam folder. For me it will send the code to my home email but here at work they must block it because it doesn't get through.

 

[Boghie]

I don't think you need snail mail and notarized stuff to get a loan on your TSP. Kinda odd. I got a small loan in 2007 and don't remember anything but asking for it and getting the money the next day.

That could be a $50K No Bueno moment if you do not keep your account secure.

 

[Boghie]

Configuring 2-Factor authentication went smoothly.

First, you have to validate your electronic contact information. I have my home and work email along with my cell phone as contact points. They were already validated - which I think is necessary just to get the IFT emails anyway. But, that is the first step - validate your contact info (Uh, your 21st Century contact info:laugh.

Logout.

Then login. You login the exact same way. Now, however, you will be prompted for the target of the PIN. It gave me a radio button form to email my home, my work, or text my phone. No issues...

For those concerned about missing a trade because of the 7 second wait for a text or an email - uh. Your trades don't get placed till 1600 EST anyway.

 

[Cactus]

Well, I phoned into the TSP menu and let it pass me one to a contact representative. According to her this Two-Factor authentication only pertains to the web access and not to the phone menu access. So if you are concerned that you can't make an IFT online, keep their number (1-877-968-3778) handy and call it in instead. You will need to remember your pin to use the menu but that is all.

As for only taking 7 seconds for Two-Factor authentication, It's more like 2 minutes for my home email. That's still enough time since they give you 10 minutes before your one-time code expires. The biggest problem I see is at work where I never get the email and the office phone doesn't do text messages. I wish they would also provide an automated voice call option for the one-time code like USAJOBS does. Oh Well, I can still call it in on the phone.