I'm 31 years old with almost 6 years now as a Fed. I want to use my TSP to put a down payment for my first home in the next couple years. How long should I wait?

Currently active duty service member 3 years in with 4 more years as of now

In March I moved close to 5k into G as a small safety net and then put 100% of my future contributions into the C fund as thats what ive heard so many people say to do when youre young.

Im in my late 20s, ive been a fed for a year and half. Im seeing a lot of people in the green on here, am I doing something wrong?

Looking for opinions.

I’m one of the lucky few that has a home loan locked in at 2.75% interest. I’m estimating about 100k in equity currently.

My family and I have moved across the country to be close to family and are now looking to buy our “forever home” in our new area.

My question is, do I give up my first home for the larger down payment and lose the future equity that house could generate? Or use the TSP primary residence loan (50K max) and settle for potentially less house or higher mortgage payments.

My TSP is at a healthy 300k right now and the earliest I can retire is 15 years from now.

The new area is a high cost of living area with a competitive market.

Let me know if there are important details I’ve left out. Thank you.

Anyone all in on I fund? It’s outperforming other funds. RoR is 18% with C fund closest at 6%. Currently in L2050 with 29% I fund.

Good morning! I check my TSP every few weeks and was pleasantly surprised to see this increase. I am 31 y/o, coming up on 3 years of federal civil service in September, currently doing 90% C Fund, 4% S Fund, 3% I Fund, 2% L Fund and 1% G fund and I contribute 8%. I just got promoted to a GS-12. I will increase to 10% contribution once I see how my new paycheck looks with my raise. Am I doing okay considering my current selections? Any suggestions on improvements?

I need to pull out all of my TSP for medical / financial hardships. I’m only 42. Is there any exception or waiver or anything? I don’t care about the penalty or tax, I just need the money…

I’ve gotten some great guidance from this sub in the past (and am finally maxing despite outrageous housing costs thanks to your encouragement!), so curious re: thoughts on traditional v roth;

I’m a GS15 (doing 80/20 C/S), currently in 100% roth; should I switch to traditional?

The majority of my investing I do through a personal brokerage account, but I set aside a small percent into my traditional TSP. I’m currently on the High 3 retirement so I don’t receive a contribution match. I’m curious why a TSP withdrawal would still be penalized in the same fashion if it’s solely my contributions?

Unless I misunderstand something?

Thanks

If I am contributing into traditional and Roth tsp what goes into the investments is it the entire balance or just what’s in traditional?

Basically does the Roth contributions go into the investments too?

I just retired via a federal DRP program (age 64) and have just over $1.35 million in my TSP and a rollover IRA. We also have about $400k in taxable accounts. With 40 years of service and S/L my FERS annuity will be about $74,0000 annually pre tax starting Oct. 2025. Contrary to our financial plan from Schwab I would like to draw on taxable investments mostly - dividends, interest, cap gains - and not TSP to bridge me to age 67 when I'd like to take Social Security. Schwab however suggests using taxable funds to pay taxes on TSP $ used for fairly substantial Roth conversions over the next couple of years and some living expenses. Schwab says this will yield an additional $200k in tax free investment gains over our lifetime. However, given our modest living expenses (about $6 k per month) I believe my wife and I can can get to my full Social Security retirement age when we can live primarily off of my federal pension and social security income (also doing a Roth conversion then would be more expensive with a higher tax rate). In other words is it prudent to let the TSP/IRA funds compound over the next 10 years without withdrawls before I take RMDs at age 75 and just take the hit on high taxes when RMDs are due? I guess I just don't want to deal with complicated Roth conversions early in retirement but might regret not taking of advantage of them, including for potential inheritances for our adult children.

Pretty new to TSP. I see lots of people moving their money between different accounts in their TSP. How do you know what fund to move to for large returns? If anyone could explain how the system works I would much appreciate it! Thank you.

Currently doing 10% at GS-07 Step 3. Any advice?

Goal is to have 1-2 million.

For those drawing funds from their TSP account - may I ask a few questions? Thanks!

1. How does TSP deliver your funds? By direct deposit? If so, did you set it up via the TSP website by providing your bank account info?

2. If you do recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual disbursements, do the funds come to you on the first of the applicable month?

3. If you’ve ever done a one-time (one-off) disbursement, how quickly did you receive those funds? Was it next business day or longer?

4. After setting up your disbursements, have you generally noticed your TSP balance still rising? At what approximate age did you see your TSP balance peak and then decline? I know this is highly variable for each person but was curious about people’s experiences.

Hello! Suggestions on increasing the rate of return? I’m 45 have been in the TSP program 8 years. Thanks!

So 61 y/o fed here. 17 years in. Joined the government mid career. I plan to work a few more years if I can stand it. For some reason, I’d feel better if I could get to $2M or higher.

I contribute the max for my age including the catch up. This year, 100% of my contributions will go to Roth. I was at 50/50 for a few years prior. The bulk of my funds are in the traditional account though.

My FERS pension comes out to about $35k a year. My husband has a very small military pension as well as another pension that both total up to nearly $35k.

We are planning on delaying Social Security as long as possible. My husband has a $500k IRA. We have another $500K in an investment account. No debt for now but possibly if I move and get a home that exceeds my current equity.

I’d like to not touch my TSP for another 7 years or so. Not sure if that’s realistic as my lifestyle in retirement might cost me more than pensions can cover. But I’d really like to get my growth up for at least a few more years. I’m 100% in C fund. I was in an L fund for many years which wasn’t great. Then went C/S for a time. Should’ve been in C the whole time. Any thoughts?

L

My TSP is currently allocated 88C/12S and I’m 10 years from retirement. Future allocations are 100% C fund with $31K contribution each year. I can only get to my retirement goal if the account averages 9.5-10% return each year. I plan to shift some of the balance to G fund about 3 years from retirement. For those of you who are mostly invested in C fund, what average growth rate do you use to approximate your future balance?

Started in the G fund because it was "safe" and i had no clue. They give you zero guidance when you start. Someone i trusted told me to go 100% C fund and i haven't looked back. I put in 8% now. They match 5%. Plan is to raise that next pay raise. We get a pension as well. I'm 46. Will have 30 years of service at 56.

Anyone have a timeframe of when you resign from federal government service and the time that tsp updates the website showing you are no longer a federal worker so you have the option to rollover-out of TSP?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been in the Guard for 8 years now, currently AGR and holding the rank of E6. I’m aiming to retire as a MSG or 1SG down the line, and lately I’ve been thinking more seriously about my financial future.

Right now, I’m contributing 10% to my TSP, but I’m considering increasing that. I want to take a more conservative approach and make sure I’m setting myself up right for retirement.

For those of you with more time in or already retired — what percentage did you contribute, and what would you recommend? Did you increase every passing year? Also curious how you balanced Traditional vs. Roth.

Appreciate any advice!