TSP Stock Funds Turn Around in August
TSP stock fund returns were all up for August, with the exception of the I fund which took a drubbing and is down more than 17% for the year.
Author: Ralph R. Smith
Reforming the ’20th-Century Bureaucracy’ Under a President Obama
What would the future hold for federal employees in an Obama administration? His acceptance speech yields a few clues and shows very close similarities to the acceptance speech delivered by Bill Clinton in 1992. “Change” to some federal employees may look and feel familiar.
Buy High and Sell Low
The way to make money in the stock market is to “buy low and sell high.” But many investors follow the opposite practice. They “buy high and sell low.” Current trends show that, once again, the past is prologue and TSP participants are selling stock funds and adding billions into the G fund.
Can Major Changes in Government Happen Quickly and Easily?
Could the federal government implement a four-day workweek in a month or less? Major changes usually require years with appeals, grievances, court appearances and legislative changes. A Maryland Congressman wants the change to happen quickly.
Feeling the Impact of Inflation: 6.2% COLA (So Far) for 2009
Inflation is alive and well in the United States. So far, the projected COLA increase for 2009 is 6.2% with another two months to go into the calculation.
Survey Surprise: McCain Trounces Obama in Reader Preference
National polls consistently show Barack Obama as running ahead of John McCain in the race to become the next President of the United States. Past surveys of our readers have revealed changes in voter sentiment before similar results showed up in national polls. That may or may not happen this year but, in this anonymous survey, John McCain finished far ahead of Senator Obama–unlike our earlier survey which showed a very close race. Reader comments reveal the concerns and issues of importance to our readers. The underlying issues cited by many readers are often not discussed in the national media but may play a major role in the 2008 presidential race.
Average (Total) Federal Compensation in 2007: $116,450
It seems no one is happy with the federal pay system. Many employees and federal unions argue that federal employees are significantly underpaid. But not everyone agrees. The average federal employee in 2007 received a pay and benefits package of $116,450–more than twice as much as the average private sector employee.
Calculating Your FERS Annuity, Changing the TSP and Tobacco: Politics and the Federal Workforce
The House recently passed a bill change the TSP investment philosophy and the annuity calculations for those under FERS. Is it now in effect? What do these changes for the federal workforce have to do with the tobacco industry?
TSP Funds Reflect Continuing Decline in Stock Values
The stock market decline continued in July and the TSP funds reflect the declining values as most of the funds are down for the month, year and and previous 12 months.
Funding Tobacco Legislation by Changing the Thrift Savings Plan
New legislation passed the House this week to protect public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with authority to regulate tobacco products. The bill will cost about $300 million. An influential Congressman says not to worry–the money to fund this legislation will come from changing the federal Thrift Savings Plan. No doubt, these changes reassure TSP investors that Congress is looking out for their financial future.
