Types of TSP Investment Funds

There are a number of funds offered by the 2010 Thrift Savings Plan. The determination of which plan you are eligible to chose from starts with your coverage by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), the TSP is one part of a three-part retirement package that also includes your FERS basic annuity and of course, your Social Security. If you are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or are a member of the uniformed, the TSP is a supplement to your CSRS annuity or military retired pay. The following are the types of TSP funds that are available:

G Fund - This is a government securities fund. These types of funds are a unique type of government security not available to the general public and are backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government. The G Fund was the initial fund established by the TSP when it began operations on April 1, 1987.

F Fund- This TSP is a Fixed Income Index fund which is invested in the BlackRock's U.S. Debt Index Fund. It tracks the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, a market capitalization-weighted index, very closely. The F Fund was made available to Federal employees back in January 1988, but was limited to only a portion of contributions. Starting in January 1991, all restrictions on F Fund contributions were lifted.

C Fund - This fund is a Common Stock Index fund. The C fund is invested in BlackRock's Equity Index fund. Thus, it replicates the total return version of the S&P 500 index. The C Fund was also opened to federal employees in January 1988 and was subjected to the same restrictions as the F Fund until January 1991.

S Fund - This is a Small Capitalization Stock Index fund. It is invested in BlackRock's Extended Market Index Fund. This ensures it tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Completion TSM index. The S Fund was opened to federal employees in May of 2001.

I Fund - International Stock Index fund is the final type of TSP. IT is invested in BlackRock's EAFE Index Fund. Thus, it replicates the net version of the MSCI EAFE index (An index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. & Canada). The I Fund opened to employees in May 2001.