Is the G Fund actually safe?
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Anonymous
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I joined the Feds as the 2008 crash was brewing and I put most of my contributions into the G Fund for several years (I also have a normally balanced 401K from a prior job). Not smart but I was really nervous about losing it all. A few years ago I started buying L funds and a little bit of I Fund with the new contributions. 25% of my portfolio is in G Funds.
I've always thought of G Funds as equivalent to a savings account, basically impossible to lose money (with the tradeoff of low return). Is that accurate? Or could they actually be at risk -- either market risk or political risk of some kind? I am ignorant as to how they work but was really skeeved when it came out a few years ago that "we" extend the debt ceiling deadline by messing with the G Fund. *Separate question but if anybody wants to advise me on re-balancing, I'd be grateful. I'm 38 years old. I have 39% in L2040, 25% in G, 13% in L Income, and 7% each in L2020, L2030, and I Fund. I feel I've been conservative too long and need to make it more aggressive. |
Anonymous
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Yes, the G fund is as safe as it gets.
As for your re-balancing question, it depends on how much risk you are willing to take on. At age 38, you still have more than 20 years to go. Personally, I'd put all in stock funds - 40 C, 30S, 30 I or 50 in L2040 and 50 in L2050. Right now, you are too heavy on G. |
Anonymous
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You have no idea what you are doing. I don't mean that in a bad way, but just that you are potentially severely damaging your financial future...
Please put all your money in the lifecycle fund based on the estimated retirement date (L2040?) and leave it there... |
Anonymous
This |
Anonymous
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You likely have about 60% of your money invested in G fund as a result. You were wayyyy too young for that. L Funds were made for someone like you (conservative, risk averse) but you need to choose between L2040 and L2050. L Income and L2020 are basically the G fund. The 2040 is 20% G fund and is your riskiest investment.
Oh and you lost money by not buying into the C and S during the 2008 crash. Those are a boon for those of who are petient and far from retirement. |
Anonymous
| patient* |
Anonymous
This is OP and yes, I have no idea! I was thinking of splitting all future contributions evenly between L2040 and L2050 (I'll be eligible for Federal retirement in 2038, but not full Social Security retirement age until 2046). Should I move the money I already have, or only the new contributions? |
Anonymous
Sounds good. I would also move the money you already have too. |
Anonymous
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Thanks everybody for your help, I appreciate it. I am planning to engage a financial adviser, too, but was pretty sure the TSP needed attention no matter what.
Thanks! |
Anonymous
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If I were you, I would move existing balance to all stock (CSI) as well as the new contributions OR do 1/2 and 1/2 between 2040 and 2050 funds (nest egg) and still keep new contribution in CSI.
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Anonymous
Don't do this. Way too aggressive for someone risk averse. I wouldn't bother with a financial advisor. Just do 50 percent 2040, 50 percent 2050 for everything. |
Anonymous
PP you are responding to. You think it's too aggressive? 50/50 between L2040 and L2050 funds is ~80% CSI and ~20% G/F funds (L2040 has ~27 G/F, L2050 has ~17 GF). So, 80 is okay but 100 is too aggressive with 20+ years to go? |
Anonymous
OP, this is excellent advice. You have to find a way to accept that you are guaranteed to lose if you don't take any risk. The L funds are perfect for people like you. Keep it simple and try to forget about it. And BTW- The G fund is an AWESOME bond fund. |
Anonymous
| You have received some excellent advice so far. The G fund is an excellent fund, but at your age will really hurt the growth of your investments. There is an appropriate time for the G fund, but now isn't it. If you like the L funds those are excellent choices and you can set and forget those. I'm not as keen on the higher allocation of international in the L funds (I fund = international) so I kind of built my own from the rest of the funds. You can replicate Vanguard total stock market with a 4:1 allocation of C to S. Bogleheads has an excellent primer on the TSP here - https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Thrift_Savings_Plan |
Anonymous
F is bond not G |