By Erich Wagner

Nearly every portfolio in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings programme bounced back from a lackluster September to post solid gains last month.

The common stocks of the Thrift Savings Plan’s C Fund led the way, increasing 7 per cent in October. So far this year, the C Fund has grown 24.02 per cent.

The small- and mid-size businesses in the S Fund finished October 5.43 per cent in the black, bringing its 2021 performance to 17.73 per cent. And the I Fund, which is composed of international investments, gained 2.46 per cent last month. Since January, the I Fund has increased 11.23 per cent.

The fixed income (F) fund was the only TSP portfolio to finish October in the red, losing 0.04 per cent. So far this year, the F Fund has lost 1.44 per cent.

The G Fund, which is composed of government securities, increased by 0.13 per cent last month, bringing its 2021 gains to 1.12 per cent.

Each of the TSP’s lifecycle (L) funds, which shift to more stable investments as participants get closer to retirement, posted gains in October. The L Income Fund, for those who have already begun making withdrawals, increased 1.28 per cent; L 2025, 2.33 per cent; L 2030, 3.14 per cent; L 2035, 3.43 per cent; L 2040, 3.72 per cent; L 2045, 3.97 per cent; L 2050, 3.97 per cent; L 2055, 5.12 per cent; L 2060, 5.11 per cent; and L 2065, 5.11 per cent.

So far in 2021, the L Income Fund has increased 4.85 per cent; L 2025, 8.89 per cent; L 2030, 11.31 per cent; L 2035, 12.31 per cent; L 2040, 13.33 per cent; L 2045, 14.19 per cent; L 2050, 15.08 per cent; L 2055, 18.41 per cent; L 2060, 18.41 per cent; and L 2065, 18.41 per cent.