Found $3100 in my old TSP

[corn18]

I just found out I still have a TSP from my military days. The balance on 31 Dec 2008 was $1095. I completely forgot about it and found the paperwork today. Logged in and it has grown to just over $3100. That's a 35% CAGR. Not too shabby. Can't do much with it except let it grow some more until I'm 55. Life is good.

[Nutria]

I just found out I still have a TSP from my military days. The balance on 31 Dec 2008 was $1095. I completely forgot about it and found the paperwork today. Logged in and it has grown to just over $3100.

That's a 35% CAGR. Not too shabby.

Rule of 72: 35% would double the money in slightly more than two years.

According to Excel, it's a 15% CAGR. Still, that's nothing to sneeze at!!!

1095 * (1+0.15)^7.5 = 3123.55
where 1095 is the starting balance, 0.15 is the CAGR, 
and 7.5 is the number of years.

[disneysteve]

Always nice to find money you had forgotten about.

Of course, it's even better to not "lose" money in the first place but then you miss out on that surprise when you rediscover it.

[corn18]

Now I'm trying to find a way to roll some of my 401k into the TSP G fund. The G fund is like a TIPS ladder with no downside risk. That G fund is the cat's meow. Fidelity couldn't figure out if I can do a partial rollover of my pre-tax contributions in my 401k while I am still employed at my company. They're going to call me back tomorrow with the answer. If they do allow it, I may roll enough into the TSP to cover my 40% bond allocation in the G fund. That would be sweet.

[Like2Plan]

Very nice! Your 401k plan seems to be very flexible.

[creditcardfree]

Awesome! My husband has the TSP. All of his funds are in S Fund, but you got me thinking that he has a 401K rollover worth about 5K that is stagnate where he has it, so I might look into rolling it into G Fund.

[cooliemae]

Take a look at the TSP's site on rolling money into the program.

Moving Money Into Your TSP

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Usually if you are still working you can't roll money from an active 401k. What about a rollover ira?

[corn18]

Usually if you are still working you can't roll money from an active 401k. What about a rollover ira?

That's the answer I'm expecting. I know I can do a partial rollover of after tax contributions to a Roth IRA which I have been doing (mega backdoor roth). Maybe that can be extended to pre-tax contributions to a tIRA (fingers crossed).

I don't have any traditional IRA's to roll into the TSP (they're all Roth).

Tom

[snafu]

What process/format will you use going forward to ensure you are tracking all investments regardless of how it originated or whether retirement, military or taxable investment stream? Sure is a wake up call for the rest of us to check with dead bank files, military/early employment contributions or investments for sums gone 'dormant.'

[corn18]

What process/format will you use going forward to ensure you are tracking all investments regardless of how it originated or whether retirement, military or taxable investment stream?

Right now, just accidental discovery. Open for suggestions. Tom

[snafu]

Canadians merely fill an on-line form from Bank of Canada to have their name and SIN/Social Security number reviewed for possible 'dormant' [unclaimed] accounts. There is a rigorous format for Investment Accounts on brokerage services.

I believe there is a similar process via SEC for American accounts.

It's fast and simple to create a spread sheet for all investment streams to update annually keep with Will, Revokable Trust, Advance Care Directive.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Tom have you talked to a tax person if the mega backdoor roth is worth it? Based on your bracket it really might be a terrible idea.

[corn18]

Tom have you talked to a tax person if the mega backdoor roth is worth it? Based on your bracket it really might be a terrible idea.

I have not. Tell me more.