📈 Financial Guide
TSP Guide for Veterans
Leave it, roll it over, or convert it — your Thrift Savings Plan is too valuable to ignore or cash out. Here's exactly what to do with it after separation.
View All VA BenefitsLeave it, roll it over, or convert it — your Thrift Savings Plan is too valuable to ignore or cash out. Here's exactly what to do with it after separation.
View All VA BenefitsThe Thrift Savings Plan is the federal government's retirement savings program — the equivalent of a 401(k) with some of the lowest expense ratios of any investment vehicle in existence. Most separating veterans make one of two mistakes with their TSP: cashing it out (expensive) or ignoring it entirely. Neither is optimal. Here's what you actually need to know.
Never cash out your TSP. A $30,000 TSP balance cashed out at age 30 incurs a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus ordinary income tax — losing $7,000-$10,000 immediately. Left invested for 35 years at 7% average return, that same $30,000 becomes $320,000+. The math is unambiguous.
TSP has the lowest expense ratios of any investment account (0.042% vs 0.5-1%+ for most civilian 401ks). You can leave your TSP indefinitely after separation and continue managing it. You cannot make new contributions unless you return to federal employment or qualifying military service.
Often Best OptionRoll your TSP into a Traditional IRA (no tax consequences). Gives you more investment options including individual stocks and ETFs. Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab all have excellent low-cost IRAs. Complete the rollover directly — TSP to IRA, never "withdrawal then deposit."
Good OptionIf your new employer has a good 401(k) with low expense ratios and matching, rolling TSP into it consolidates your accounts. Check the expense ratios first — many private 401(k)s are significantly more expensive than TSP.
Check Expenses FirstConverting traditional TSP to a Roth IRA triggers taxes in the year of conversion but creates tax-free growth forever after. Most beneficial when done in low-income years — like the first year after separation when your income may be reduced.
Tax Strategy| Fund | What It Is | Risk | Long-Term Return (hist.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| G Fund | Government securities. Zero risk of losing principal. | Very Low | ~2-3% |
| F Fund | Bond index fund. Stable but low growth. | Low | ~3-4% |
| C Fund | S&P 500 index. Large US companies. | Moderate-High | ~10% |
| S Fund | Small/mid cap US stocks. Higher volatility. | High | ~10-12% |
| I Fund | International stocks (non-US developed markets). | High | ~7-8% |
| L Funds | Lifecycle funds - auto-allocated by target retirement year. | Varies | Varies by date |
For most young veterans (under 40), a simple allocation of 80% C Fund / 20% S Fund historically outperforms more complex strategies while keeping fees at the minimum possible.
If you served after January 1, 2018 and enrolled in BRS, the military contributed 1-5% matching to your TSP. This matching is an immediate 100% return on your contributions — never leave matching on the table. BRS members who separate before 20 years still keep their TSP and matching contributions even without a pension, making the TSP even more important for BRS veterans than legacy system veterans.
TSP is one of over 30 VA and federal benefits most veterans underutilize. The complete benefits checklist covers everything.
View Complete Benefits Checklist