The G Fund is a unique investment vehicle offered by the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) that is only available to federal government employees. It is a stable and safe investment option that guarantees the preservation of capital and offers returns above those of short-term U.S. Treasury securities. The G Fund invests in short-term U.S. Treasury securities, providing daily liquidity and a stable net asset value, while its yield is pegged to longer-term interest rates. This means that investors can benefit from medium to long-term interest rates without the risk of losing their principal investment. The G Fund is an attractive option for risk-averse individuals who want to protect their investments from market downturns and value stability and preservation of their capital.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type of fund | Government fund |
Available to | Federal government employees |
Advantage over other funds | Guaranteed by the government |
Risk | No risk to principal |
Returns | Above those of short-term U.S. Treasury securities |
Interest rate | Based on the weighted average yield of U.S. Treasury securities |
Interest rate adjustment | Monthly |
Interest rate correlation | Not designed to match the rate of inflation |
Net expense ratio | $0.490/$1,000 account balance 0.049% (4.9 basis points) |
What You'll Learn
- The G Fund is a safe investment option, as it's guaranteed by the US government
- The fund offers a stable net asset value and daily liquidity
- The G Fund has no principal risk, meaning you won't lose money
- It's a unique investment opportunity, only available to those who invest through TSP
- The G Fund has historically outperformed inflation, preserving the value of your investment
The G Fund is a safe investment option, as it's guaranteed by the US government
The G Fund is subject to less risk than other funds. It is invested in nonmarketable US Treasury securities specially issued to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is the federal government's equivalent of a 401(k) account. The G Fund buys short-term US Treasury Bonds, which pay an interest rate based on the weighted average yield of all outstanding Treasury notes and bonds with four or more years to maturity.
The interest rate on the G Fund is adjusted each month and is calculated by the US Treasury as the weighted average yield of approximately 183-191 US Treasury securities on the last day of the previous month. This means that while the G Fund itself is invested in short-term securities, TSP investors get a higher interest rate. The G Fund has no principal risk and tries to provide a return that beats inflation.
The G Fund has been successful in meeting its objective of preserving capital and generating returns above those of short-term US Treasury securities. It has easily outpaced the growth of the Consumer Price Index, almost doubling its real value over the past 34 years. This makes the G Fund an appealing option for risk-averse investors, particularly those approaching retirement, who are looking for a safe investment that can provide a higher interest rate than other "risk-free" investments.
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The fund offers a stable net asset value and daily liquidity
The G Fund is a unique investment vehicle offered by the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the federal government's equivalent of a 401(k) account. It is only available to federal employees who invest through TSP.
The G Fund offers a stable net asset value and daily liquidity, emulating a money market investment. This means that investors can be assured that the value of their investment will remain constant, while also being able to access their funds at any time.
The G Fund achieves this stability by investing in short-term U.S. Treasury securities that are specially issued to the TSP by the Treasury Department. These securities are designed to always be redeemable at par value, eliminating principal risk. The interest rate on the G Fund is calculated as the weighted average yield of approximately 183-191 U.S. Treasury securities on the last day of the previous month.
While the G Fund's value remains stable, it is subject to interest rate changes. When inflation goes up, investors in the G Fund will earn a higher interest rate, as the interest rate paid on longer-term Treasury securities increases. This dynamic allows the G Fund to offer a higher interest rate than typical short-term investments while maintaining the stability of a money market investment.
The G Fund's combination of stable net asset value and daily liquidity makes it an attractive option for investors seeking capital preservation and low risk. It is particularly suitable for those who are risk-averse or approaching retirement, as it provides a safe harbour for their investments while still offering the potential for returns above inflation.
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The G Fund has no principal risk, meaning you won't lose money
The G Fund is a unique investment vehicle that is only available to those who invest through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). It is a stable and secure investment option, as it is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. This means that there is no principal risk associated with investing in the G Fund – your money is guaranteed and protected from loss.
The G Fund invests in non-marketable US Treasury securities that are specially issued to the TSP. These securities are short-term bonds that pay an interest rate based on the weighted average yield of all outstanding Treasury notes and bonds with four or more years until maturity. The interest rate on these bonds resets each month, ensuring that investors earn a medium to long-term interest rate with no risk of losing their principal investment.
The G Fund is an attractive option for those who are risk-averse and cannot stand the thought of losing money, even if it is just a paper loss. It provides a level of stability and security that other investments do not offer. While there is a possibility that the G Fund's returns may not keep up with inflation, it is still a reliable option for those seeking capital preservation.
As you approach retirement, the G Fund can be a valuable tool to ensure you have funds to live on. You can hold one to three years' worth of living expenses in the G Fund and use those funds each year, allowing your other investments more time to recover in the event of a bad year. The G Fund's stability and consistent returns make it a solid choice for those seeking to preserve their capital and generate steady returns.
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It's a unique investment opportunity, only available to those who invest through TSP
The G Fund is a unique investment opportunity that is only available through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The G Fund is a government securities investment fund that offers a range of benefits to investors.
One of the key advantages of investing in the G Fund through TSP is the guarantee of the U.S. government. The payment of principal and interest on the G Fund is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, ensuring that investors receive the required payments. This guarantee eliminates credit risk and provides a level of security not found in other investments.
Another distinctive feature of the G Fund is its ability to provide stable returns with no risk to principal. The G Fund invests in short-term U.S. Treasury securities but pays interest rates based on the weighted average yield of outstanding Treasury notes and bonds with four or more years to maturity. This structure allows investors to earn medium to long-term interest rates while eliminating principal risk. The interest rate on the G Fund is adjusted monthly, ensuring that investors keep pace with changing market conditions.
The G Fund also offers a level of liquidity that is uncommon in similar investments. The G Fund can be redeemed on any business day without any risk to principal, providing investors with daily liquidity. This feature sets the G Fund apart from other short-term debt instruments and adds to its overall attractiveness.
Additionally, the G Fund has a proven track record of success. Since its inception in 1987, the G Fund has consistently outpaced inflation and has nearly doubled its real value. This performance reinforces the G Fund's reputation as a reliable investment option for those seeking capital preservation and stable returns.
In summary, the G Fund presents a unique investment opportunity that is exclusively available through TSP. With its government guarantee, stable returns, liquidity, and successful track record, the G Fund offers a compelling option for investors seeking security and peace of mind.
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The G Fund has historically outperformed inflation, preserving the value of your investment
The G Fund is a unique investment vehicle that is only available to those who invest through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). It is a stable and secure investment option, as it is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government, ensuring that investors' principal and interest payments are guaranteed.
The G Fund has a strong track record of outperforming inflation, preserving the value of investors' capital. This is achieved by investing in short-term US Treasury securities, which are specially issued to the TSP and are non-marketable. The interest rate on the G Fund is calculated based on the weighted average yield of these US Treasury securities, providing a long-term rate of return on short-term securities.
Historically, the G Fund has outpaced the growth of the Consumer Price Index, with its returns almost doubling in real value over a 34-year period. This performance demonstrates its ability to preserve investors' purchasing power, even during periods of high inflation.
The G Fund's unique structure, with zero principal risk, makes it an attractive option for risk-averse investors. It provides the security of knowing that the investment value will not fluctuate and that there is no possibility of losing money. This stability is particularly appealing during volatile market conditions, as investors seek to protect their capital.
The G Fund's ability to consistently outperform inflation makes it a powerful tool for preserving and growing one's investment over the long term. It is a reliable option for those seeking capital preservation and a strong alternative to other short-term debt instruments guaranteed by the US government, such as Treasury bills and Series I and EE Savings Bonds.
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Frequently asked questions
The payment of G Fund principal and interest is guaranteed by the U.S. Government, meaning there is no credit risk.
The G Fund is subject to the possibility that your investment will not grow enough to offset the reduction in purchasing power that results from inflation (inflation risk).
Consider investing in the G Fund if you would like to have all or a portion of your TSP account completely protected from loss. If you choose to invest in the G Fund, you are placing a higher priority on the stability and preservation of your money than on the opportunity to potentially achieve greater long-term growth in your account through investment in the other TSP funds.