2 

Table of Contents 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

Overview of Retirement Systems ...................................................................................................................... 3 

Blended Retirement System (BRS) ................................................................................................................... 4 

Methodology Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 4 

Satisfaction With the TSP ..................................................................................................................................... 5 

TSP Communications Channels ......................................................................................................................... 10 

Staying With the TSP .......................................................................................................................................... 13 

Contributions ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Blended Retirement System (BRS) .................................................................................................................... 15

Recommendations .............................................................................................................................................. 18

APPENDIX: Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 19

Data Collection ................................................................................................................................................ 19 

Sample Design ................................................................................................................................................ 20 

Sample Stratification ....................................................................................................................................... 20 

Sample Allocation ........................................................................................................................................... 21 

Sample Selection ............................................................................................................................................ 21 

Weighting of Sample Data .............................................................................................................................. 21 

Precision of Estimates ..................................................................................................................................... 22 

Profile of Plan Participants .............................................................................................................................. 22 
3 

Introduction 

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB), created by the Federal Employees’ 

Retirement System Act of 1986 (FERSA), administers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a defined 

contribution plan similar to private sector 401(k) plans. The TSP provides federal civilian employees 

and members of the Uniformed Services the opportunity to save for additional retirement security. As 

of July 2017, the TSP has approximately 5.1 million participants with approximately $510 billion in 

assets; the TSP is the largest defined contribution plan in the world. 

The FRTIB’s mission is to administer the TSP in the best interest of participants and beneficiaries. To 

meet its mission, it is important that the FRTIB has a clear understanding of participant satisfaction, 

expectations, perceptions of service, behaviors and preferences. The FRTIB selected Gallup to 

administer the 2017 Participant Satisfaction survey to build upon the baseline participant survey from 

November 2006, the subsequent surveys conducted in 2008, 2011 and 2013, and the 2013 

Participant Behavior and Demographics Report. 

FRTIB will use the 2017 results as a tool to assist with strategic planning, understanding the 

behaviors and perceptions of TSP participants to aid in decision-making, gauging new features, 

implementing educational program and communications modifications, and initiating new product 

development. 

Overview of Retirement Systems 

Throughout the report, results are shown by subgroups, including by population (FERS, CSRS and 

Uniformed Services [US]). A brief overview of these populations providing important context for the 

survey results follows: 

1. FERS is the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, which became effective Jan. 1, 1987. Individuals 

covered under FERS pay Social Security taxes and FERS basic benefit deductions. They also receive 

an automatic agency/employer contribution to a TSP account in their name equivalent to 1% of their 

basic pay, dollar-for-dollar matching on the first 3% of contributions and 50-cents-on-the-dollar 

matching on additional contributions up to 5% of basic pay. Contributions in excess of 5% of basic pay 

are not matched. Effective August 2010, all newly hired federal employees who were eligible to 

participate in the Thrift Savings Plan automatically had 3% of their basic pay contributed to the TSP 

(default employee contribution) unless they elected to not contribute or elected to contribute at some 

other level prior to the end of their first pay period. The TSP is a core component of the three-tiered 

retirement benefits of FERS employees; the other two components are Social Security and the FERS 

basic annuity program. 

2. CSRS is the Civil Service Retirement System. The law that created CSRS was enacted in 1920. 

Individuals covered under CSRS pay CSRS employee deductions and are excluded from OASDI taxes 

of Social Security. Effective 2006, they are able to make contributions from basic pay to their TSP 

accounts up to the 402(g) limits; however, they do not receive any agency/employer contributions. The 

TSP is a supplemental retirement benefit for CSRS employees. 

 
4 

3. Uniformed Services personnel became eligible to participate in the TSP in 2002. For TSP purposes, 

the Uniformed Services include members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, 

Public Health Service, and Commissioned Officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, as well as members of the Ready Reserve and the National Guard. Effective 2006, 

Uniformed Services personnel may make contributions from basic pay to their TSP accounts up to the 

402(g) limits, but they do not receive any agency/employer contributions. Members of the Uniformed 

Services can also contribute from 1% to 100% of any incentive pay, special pay or bonus pay — as 

long as they also elect to contribute from their basic pay. Members can make contributions from taxexempt pay (i.e., pay that is subject to the combat zone tax exclusion). 

Blended Retirement System (BRS) 

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 created the Blended Retirement System (BRS), a 

new military retirement system that allows eligible service members to receive automatic and 

matching TSP contributions, among other benefits. This new system will go into effect on Jan. 1, 

2018. Those who enter the military on or after Jan. 1, 2018, will be automatically enrolled in BRS. 

As of Dec. 31, 2017, military personnel will be “grandfathered” into the legacy system. While no one 

currently serving will be automatically switched to the new system, many will have a choice. Active 

service members with fewer than 12 years since their Pay Entry Base Date, and some Reserve 

Component Service members, will have an option to join the new retirement plan. The opt-in period 

for the BRS begins Jan. 1, 2018, and ends on Dec. 31, 2018. 

Methodology Summary 

On April 7, 2017, Gallup mailed a survey packet in a flat envelope that contained a cover letter and an 

eight-page color survey booklet asking participants to complete and return the survey back to Gallup. 

All mail communications included the URL and access code for completing the survey online, if 

desired. On April 4, 2017, sample members with an email address on record with the TSP, which was 

approximately one third of the sample, were also sent an email invitation (in addition to the mail 

survey packet) to complete the survey. 

Completed surveys were collected April 4-May 15, 2017. In cases where a respondent completed 

both a mail and web survey, the data from the web survey was retained and the mail survey data was 

not included in the data set. A total of 6,793 participants returned a survey and are included in the 

final data set. Sixty web participants progressed to the end of the survey and submitted it but did not 

provide a response to any of the questions. Eight respondents returned a blank paper survey. If these 

respondents are excluded, 6,725 participants provided non-missing data. 

Retirement system 

(Primary strata) Total sample size Number of 

completed surveys Response rate (%) 

FERS 13,335 2,961 22.2 

CSRS 3,749 1,608 42.9 

US 21,916 2,156 9.8 

Total 39,000 6,725 17.2 
5 

Satisfaction With the TSP 

Nearly nine in 10 TSP participants are satisfied (54%) or extremely satisfied (35%) with the 

TSP overall. 

Overall satisfaction with the TSP is high — 89% of participants are at least satisfied with the TSP. 

Compared with 2011 and 2013, satisfaction is slightly higher in 2017 and may reflect a more positive 

financial outlook in the U.S. today than in prior years.1 

As in the past, CSRS participants are the most satisfied group overall, and nearly half (48%) are 

extremely satisfied. Across the different groups of participants, there was a three- to four-percentagepoint increase in satisfaction over 2013. Of these groups, Uniformed Services participants 

experienced the highest increase in satisfaction — by six percentage points since 2011 — although 

they still remain the least satisfied overall, with just 31% extremely satisfied. 

TSP plan participants are about as satisfied with the TSP as private sector 401(k) plan participants. 

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index — a broad measure of U.S. 

investors' outlooks on their finances and the economy — found that 91% of investors in 2016 

indicated they were satisfied with their own 401(k) plans as a tool for saving for their retirement, 

including 44% who were "very" satisfied and 47% who were "somewhat" satisfied.2

FIGURE 1. 

The increase in satisfaction may be attributed to growing optimism in the economy and investing. 

FRTIB satisfaction declined from 85% in 2006 to 81% in 2008 — during the low point of the 

recession. As economic confidence increased, FRTIB satisfaction also increased in 2011 and 2013. 

Gallup has seen further increases in economic confidence, with an annual high in 2017. Similarly, as 

the stock market and other key economic measures have continued to move in a more positive 

direction over the past years, retiree investors have grown more optimistic about meeting their 

 

1 http://news.gallup.com/poll/151088/economic-confidence-index-monthly.aspx 

2 http://www.gallup.com/poll/190595/investors-happy-401.aspx 

86%

89% 87%

82%

85% 87% 88% 90% 88% 84% 87% 86%

89%

94%

90% 88% 90% 89%

Total CSRS FERS US Active Separated

How satisfied are you with the TSP overall?

(% Satisfied/Extremely satisfied; asked of all participants)

2011

2013

2017 -

Satisfied

Note: Results exclude "don't know/does not apply." Results for 2017 are weighted.

2017 -

Extremely 

satisfied

54%

35%

55%

35%

46% 

48%

56%

34%

50%

39%

57%

31%
6 

financial goals. In fact, investor optimism is at a 17-year high, according to the Wells Fargo/Gallup 

Investor and Retirement Optimism Index, after dips in 2009 and 2012.3 

FIGURE 2. 

Factors affecting overall satisfaction with the TSP include tsp.gov, flexibility of withdrawal 

options, and variety of investment options. 

Perceptions of satisfaction of the TSP overall are driven primarily by the TSP website and the 

flexibility of investment options offered to participants. The differential of mean scores for overall 

satisfaction is the largest between participants who are extremely satisfied (e.g., give a “5” rating) with 

these options and those who are not extremely satisfied (e.g., give ratings of 1-4). For example, the 

mean score for overall satisfaction is 0.83 basis points higher for those who are extremely satisfied 

with the TSP website than those who are not extremely satisfied (4.83 vs. 4.00, respectively). To a 

lesser extent, satisfaction is also driven by flexibility of withdrawal options, access to My Account and 

the variety of investment options. Furthermore, the ability to transfer into the TSP and the security of 

participant accounts on tsp.gov play a lesser role in participants’ perceptions of satisfaction. 

 

 

3 http://news.gallup.com/poll/218024/investor-optimism-rises-again-hits-year-high.aspx 

85%

81%

86% 87%

89%

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

60%

65%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Satisfaction With TSP Tracks National Economic and 

Investment Confidence

Satisfied or extremely satisfied with the TSP overall

Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index

Gallup Consumer Confidence (as of 3/31 each year)
7 

FIGURE 3. 

Key Drivers of Overall Satisfaction 

Mean Diff. 

Ext. Sat. - 

Not Ext. Sat: 

0.83 0.77 0.75 0.74

Participants are the least satisfied in service areas that most impact their overall satisfaction 

and decision to remain in the TSP. 

While flexibility of withdrawal options is one of the top drivers of overall satisfaction, it is the lowestrated plan offering, with just 20% of TSP participants extremely satisfied with this aspect of the plan 

(and just 62% at least satisfied overall). Further, just one-quarter or fewer participants are extremely 

satisfied with the ability to transfer eligible funds from other eligible retirement plans into the TSP 

(23%), the variety of offered investments (25%) or TSP.gov (26%). Overall, participants are generally 

less satisfied with restrictiveness to what they can do with their funds, though much of this is 

controlled by laws and regulations not directly amendable by FRTIB. 

Participants are most satisfied with the security of their accounts (33%), the ability to take a loan 

(32% among active participants) and access to My Account (30%). 

 

4.00 4.06 4.00 4.03

4.83 4.83 4.75 4.77

TSP website (tsp.gov) Flexibility of withdrawal options Access to My Account Variety of investment options

Not extremely satisfied Extremely satisfied
8 

54%

55%

18%

41%

43%

57%

41%

52%

52%

55%

33%

34%

69%

23%

32%

26%

20%

25%

30%

35%

FIGURE 4. 

Satisfaction With TSP Components (Rank by impact on overall satisfaction)

 Satisfied  Extremely satisfied % Satisfied/ 

Extremely satisfied 

The Thrift Savings Plan overall 90% 

Access to My Account 81% 

Variety of offered investments 77% 

Flexibility of withdrawal options 62% 

TSP website (tsp.gov) 83% 

Ability to take a loan from TSP account 

(among active participants) 75% 

Ability to transfer money from IRAs/other 

eligible retirement plans into TSP 64% 

Overall quality of ThriftLine 86% 

Annual account statement 89% 

Security of your account on tsp.gov 87% 

Shading denotes lowest-rated items 

 

While one third or fewer participants undertook transactions, the majority are satisfied with all 

but account rollovers. 

Participants report the most positive experiences with taking loans (69% extremely satisfied), 

interfund transfers (66%) and withdrawals (62%). They note the most negative experiences with 

rolling over an eligible plan into the TSP (43%) and making account updates (51%). While frustration 

with the process of rolling over an outside eligible plan into the TSP may be driven by the need to 

contact and obtain cooperation from the originating plan — which would be difficult for FRTIB to 

change — the TSP can adjust how it processes account updates, such as name changes, beneficiary 

changes and password resets, to address participant needs. 

FIGURE 5. 

5%

6%

20%

7%

7%

5%

5%

28%

32%

25%

24%

21%

43%

51%

62%

66%

69%

Rolled over an eligible plan into TSP

Made account updates (e.g., name change, beneficiaries,

password, etc.)

Took withdrawal

Made interfund transfer

Took out loan (active particpants)

If done within the last 12 months, please rate your overall satisfaction with the 

time it took to complete the following transactions:

Extremely dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Somewhat satisfied Extremely satisfied

Note: Only responses greater than 5% are shown.

n size

(% completed) 

815 

(25%) 

2,069 

(34%) 

973 

(13%) 

2,109 

(36%) 

288 

(6%)
9 

In general, participants are looking for both investment options and advice from their 

retirement systems. 

When participants were asked for one thing the TSP could do better to meet their retirement planning 

needs, most want more information or knowledge to plan for retirement, while some participants ask 

for more transaction or investment options. The top five responses are: 

1. provide better instructions, information or tutorials (18%); 

2. provide investment advice or retirement planning (15%); 

3. more transaction availability, transfers, deposits or withdrawals (12%); 

4. more investment options (11%); and 

5. more tools, calculators or prediction capabilities (11%). 

FIGURE 6. 

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

5%

6%

11%

11%

12%

15%

18%

Other

Offer a mobile app

Issues with fees/costs/need more information on fees/cost

Contact capabilities/phone/person on the phone/online chat

Better returns

Easier access/log-in/CAC capability/easier password reset

More flexibility with contributions/amounts/sources/better

matching

Have more tools/calculators/prediction capabilities

More investment options

More transaction availability/transfers/deposits/withdrawals

Provide investment advice/retirement planning

Better instructions/information/tutorials

What ONE thing could the TSP do to better meet your 

retirement planning needs? (n=2,456)

Note: Only responses greater than 2% are shown. 
10 

TSP Communications Channels 

More than eight in 10 participants use tsp.gov, and the majority of users are satisfied with 

tsp.gov overall.

Most participants are satisfied or extremely satisfied (89%) with their annual account statement, 

including 90% of FERS participants. In particular, a significant percentage of CSRS participants are 

satisfied or extremely satisfied with the annual account statement (96%). 

FIGURE 7. 

Considering all aspects of your experience, how 

satisfied are you with each of the following? 

(Among all participants; excludes “Don’t know/ 

Does not apply”)

% Satisfied/Extremely satisfied 

Total CSRS FERS US

Annual account statement 89% 

(n=6,582)

96% 

(n=1,582) 

90% 

(n=2,903) 

86% 

(n=2,097) 

Access to My Account 81% 

(n=6,413) 

90% 

(n=1,491) 

84% 

(n=2,851) 

71% 

(n=2,071) 

TSP website (tsp.gov) 83% 

(n=6,185) 

88% 

(n=1,377) 

85% 

(n=2,776) 

77% 

(n=2,032) 

When asked what three options they would want the TSP to offer, even if it were for an additional fee, 

participants are most interested in seeing a combined estimate of their Social Security, 

FERS/CSRS/Military Pension and TSP benefits in one statement or online, an option named by more 

than half (53%) of participants. Four in 10 participants are interested in individual modeling or 

calculator tools to show how much they need for retirement (39%), while one in four look for online 

financial advice for an additional fee (24%) or an option to convert their TSP tax-deferred balance to a 

Roth TSP (24%). 

Additionally, US participants are very interested in more mobile transaction capabilities (29%), which 

is more than just a function of the younger age of these participants overall. Across all age 

categories, US participants are more interested in mobile capabilities than are FERS participants of 

similar age. 

 
11 

FIGURE 8. 

Younger participants are more likely to want individual modeling or calculator tools to show how much they 

need for retirement, online financial advice and more mobile transaction capabilities. These three options are 

not highly sought after by older participants. 

FIGURE 9. 

Which of the following options would 

you MOST want the TSP to offer, 

even if it were for an additional fee? 

(n=6,793)

Age

Total 

(n=6,793)

Under 30 

years old 

(n=347)

30 to 39 

years old 

(n=905)

40 to 49 

years old 

(n=1,017)

50 to 59 

years old 

(n=1,565)

60 to 69 

years old 

(n=1,814)

70+ 

years old

(n=825) 

See an estimate of your Social Security, 

FERS/CSRS/Military Pension and TSP 

benefits in one statement or online

53% 42% 55% 61% 65% 55% 36%

Individual modeling or calculator tools to 

show how much you need 

for retirement

39% 41% 52% 49% 40% 25% 16% 

Online financial advice (additional 

fee service) 24% 26% 31% 27% 23% 21% 16% 

Option to convert your TSP tax-deferred 

balance to a Roth TSP 24% 20% 27% 25% 26% 28% 24% 

Broader range of investment options 22% 27% 28% 23% 22% 20% 18% 

Mobile transaction capabilities 18% 34% 26% 21% 12% 9% 5% 

Ability to download account information 

to use with other financial 

application/software

12% 16% 13% 11% 11% 11% 9% 

Other 6% 5% 3% 7% 6% 9% 13% 

Note: Green denotes highest-rated item, red lowest-rated. 

6%

12%

18%

22%

24%

24%

39%

53%

Other

Ability to download account information to use with

other financial application/software

Mobile transaction capabilities

Broader range of investment options

Option to convert your TSP tax-deferred balance to a

Roth TSP

Online financial advice (additional fee service)

Individual modeling or calculator tools to show how

much you need for retirement

See estimate your Social Security, Federal Pension

& TSP benefits in one statement/online

Which of the following options would you MOST want 

the TSP to offer, even if it were for an additional fee? 

You may select up to three options. 

(Among all participants, n=6,793) CSRS

(n=1,617)

FERS

(n=2,999)

US

(n=2,177)

37% 58% 43% 

21% 41% 39% 

19% 25% 24% 

32% 22% 27% 

19% 22% 26% 

7% 15% 29% 

10% 11% 14% 

10% 6% 5% 

Shading denotes highest-rated items
12 

The annual statement is well received by the 86% of participants who read it. 

In the past 12 months, the vast majority (86%) of participants have read their annual statement. At 

least half of these participants are extremely satisfied with various aspects of their annual statement, 

including the usefulness of the information in it (54%), the ability to track how their TSP investments 

have performed over time (56%), the ability to see how other investment options within the plan are 

performing (50%) and the usefulness of their estimated monthly retirement income on the statement 

(50%). 

Three in 10 (29%) active participants report that reading their annual statement caused them to take 

action. More than half of these participants changed which funds they invested in (59%), while more 

than four in 10 (43%) increased the amount of their contribution and one in four (26%) sought more 

information about the TSP. 

FIGURE 10. 

Approximately one quarter of participants indicated they used the ThriftLine in the past year, 

with a majority of users satisfied with the live representatives. 

In the last 12 months, approximately one in four participants have used the ThriftLine to access the automated 

system (25%) or to speak live to a representative (27%). For these individuals, the majority found the ThriftLine 

to be useful — 89% of participants found speaking to a live representative to be somewhat or extremely useful, 

while 80% of participants say access to the automated system was somewhat or extremely useful. 

 

US participants (84%) are the least likely to perceive the ThriftLine as useful, whereas CSRS participants 

(92%) are the most likely to find the ThriftLine useful. 

ThriftLine users are extremely satisfied with the actual representative interactions, including their 

understanding of participant needs (69% extremely satisfied), ability to answer questions (70%) and overall 

quality of service (69%). But ThriftLine users are less satisfied overall with the hours and days representatives 

are available and with the wait times to speak to a representative (about are half extremely satisfied with each 

aspect). 

4%

4%

5%

9%

18%

26%

43%

59%

Decrease amount of your contribution (asked of active

participants)

Delay your planned reitrement date (asked of active

participants)

Rollover or transfer other retirement savings into the TSP

Withdraw your TSP account balance (asked of separated

participants)

Remain in the TSP when you had previously planned to

withdraw your TSP balance (separated participants)

Seek more information about the TSP

Increase amount of your contribution (asked of active

participants)

Change which funds you invest in

Did reading the annual statement cause you to take any of the following 

actions regarding your TSP account? 

(Among 29% who read their annual statement and took action, n=1,567)
13 

FIGURE 11.

 

Staying With the TSP 

Three in 10 active participants nearing retirement age4 say they will withdraw funds from the 

TSP when they retire.

Three in 10 (30%) active participants within 10 years of retirement plan to transfer money from the 

TSP after leaving federal service. Additionally, 35% of separated non-retiree participants (i.e., those 

who left federal service but are still in the workforce) also say they will withdraw their TSP funds when 

they retire. 

FIGURE 12. 

 

4 Within 10 years of retirement 

4%

7%

8%

13%

31%

39%

58%

41%

ThriftLine to speak live to a representative

(Among 27% who used)

ThriftLine to access automated system

(Among 25% who used)

If you have used in the past 12 months, 

rate the overall usefulness of each.

Not at all useful Not very useful Somewhat useful Extremely useful

30%

35%

Plan to transfer money from TSP account into another

account after leaving federal service (Among active,

n=1,703)

Plan to withdraw from TSP immediately after retirement

(Among separated, n=730)

% Yes

Plans of Active and Separated Participants Within 10 Years of Retirement

% Somewhat useful/ 

Extremely useful 

CSRS 

(20% 

used; 

n=316)

FERS 

(25% 

used; 

n=706)

US 

(27% 

used; 

n=467)

86% 79% 79% 

92% 90% 84% 
14 

The majority of separated participants who plan to withdraw funds will use TSP funds to pay living 

expenses (54%), pay off a mortgage (15%) or pay down debt (17%). However, sizable proportions of 

participants will transfer money to other retirement accounts (25%) or invest elsewhere (21%). 

While the FRTIB does not desire to “keep” participants’ money, identifying reasons participants want 

to transfer funds to other investment forums is key to understanding their needs and offering options 

that will help participants get the most that the TSP has to offer. 

Active US participants (34%) are the most likely to say they will transfer money upon retirement, while 

among non-retired separated participants, FERS employees (40%) are most likely to plan to withdraw 

their funds upon final retirement. 

Participants likely to withdraw funds at retirement cite flexibility of withdrawal options and 

better investment choices/performance as top influencers of their plan to leave the TSP when 

they retire. 

More than two-thirds of both active and separated participants nearing retirement age name more 

flexible withdrawal options and better investment choices and/or performance elsewhere as key 

reasons they will transfer their funds out of the TSP when they retire. The vast majority of separated 

participants (87%) also want to consolidate all of their retirement accounts into a single plan, citing 

consolidation as a major reason they plan to transfer their money from their TSP into another account 

when they retire. 

While relatively few participants state that they are seeking better customer service or lower costs in 

their plans when transferring money from the TSP, financial planning services and better investmentplanning tools are also moderately important factors to staying with the TSP upon retirement. 

FIGURE 13. 

38%

46%

58%

87%

59%

84%

85%

30%

33%

54%

55%

57%

66%

74%

Lower costs or administrative fees elsewhere

Better customer service in other plans

Available or better investment or financial planning tools

elsewhere

Want to consolidate all retirement accounts

Available financial planning services elsewhere

Want more or better investment choices and/or performance

More flexible withdrawal options available elsewhere

If you plan to transfer money from your TSP account into another 

account [after leaving federal service/after retirement], which of the 

following would be your reason for doing so?

After leaving federal service (among active participants, n=498)
15 

Contributions 

While eight in 10 participants are contributing at least 5% of their basic income into the TSP, one in 

five are not contributing at all (7%) or not contributing enough to receive matching funds (13%). More 

than half of participants (55%) are contributing more than 5% of their basic pay. Uniformed Services 

participants are most likely to contribute more than 5% of basic pay, though as of this writing this 

group does not qualify for matching contributions through the TSP. 

Not surprisingly, the proportion of participants contributing more than 5% of basic pay increases with 

years in federal service, starting out at 41% of those in service less than five years, rising to 52% of 

those in federal service six to 10 years, reaching 59% of those at 11 to 15 years and topping out at 

61% of those in service more than 15 years. 

FIGURE 14. 

Contribution Amount to TSP 

(Self-reported among active participants)

Total TSP 

(n=3,664)

CSRS

(n=256)

FERS

(n=2,104)

US

(n=1,304)

Not contributing 7% 19% 7% 7%

<5% of basic pay 13% 16% 12% 14%

5% of basic pay 26% 13% 30% 14%

>5% of basic pay 55% 52% 51% 65%

While low contributors have various reasons for why they contribute less than 5% of basic pay, over 

half (53%) of all participants and 60% of FERS participants say they feel they currently cannot afford 

to save that much. This finding is also consistent with the 2013 satisfaction survey, which found 

affordability as the primary reason participants did not contribute more of their basic pay. 

FIGURE 15.

Blended Retirement System (BRS)

When this survey was administered in the early second quarter of 2017, there were some 

misconceptions about US members’ understanding of their eligibility to enroll into BRS. For US 

19%

29%

5%

37%

12%

5%

12%

14%

60%

26%

12%

21%

40%

Other

Use other investments outside the TSP

Don't need to contribute that much to meet retirement goals

Didn't know your agency contributed a matching 5% if you

contributed 5%

Currently cannot afford to save that much

Please explain why you are currently contributing 

less than 5% of your basic pay? (n=389)

CSRS (n=42) FERS (n=183) US (n=164)
16 

participants who joined within the last 11 years (i.e., after 2005) and are therefore eligible to opt in to 

the BRS, nearly one in five reported that they did not think (6%) or were unsure if (19%) they were 

eligible to opt in. As the majority of Department of Defense Uniformed Services training sessions 

occurred after this survey was administered, the data reported here may not accurately reflect 

Uniformed Services’ understanding of their BRS eligibility later in 2017. 

Eligible Army members appeared least likely to recognize they were eligible (55%) early in 2017, 

while eligible Air Force TSP participants (87%) were most likely to report they were eligible. 

FIGURE 16. 

To the best of your knowledge, 

you ARE ELIGIBLE to opt into 

the BRS? (% yes, eligible)

Years in Uniformed Services 

Less than 11 years ELIGIBLE

(n=382) 

11+ years NON-ELIGIBLE

(n=821) 

Yes, eligible 76% 24%

No, not eligible 6% 57%

Unsure at this time 19% 19%

Just one in five eligible US participants (21%) plan to opt in to the BRS when it becomes available in 

2018. Furthermore, 43% of eligible US participants were unsure at the time of the survey if they would 

opt in. 
17 

FIGURE 17.

Nine in 10 eligible US members who do not plan to opt in to BRS currently contribute at least 5% of 

basic pay, suggesting a communication and education plan to help them attain the free matching 

money in lieu of long-term retirement could encourage them to opt in when it becomes available. 

US participants are less satisfied with many plan offerings compared with CSRS and FERS 

participants, so addressing their plan needs may be necessary to increase participation from others. 

US participants are less satisfied with access to My Account (71% satisfied compared with 81% of 

participants overall) and flexibility of withdrawal options (55% compared with 62% of participants 

overall). 

Yes, 

21%

No, 

36%

Unsure 

at this 

time, 

43%

You plan to opt in to the BRS

Among those in US <11 years (n=382)
18 

Key Findings and Recommendations 

The results from TSP participants in early 2017 shine a light on potential areas for improvement to 

better meet the needs of plan participants. While some participant requests (such as the ability to 

take out more or larger loans against their funds) may not be possible given statutory or 

congressional requirements, other requests around how the plan functions, details of plan offerings 

for associates, access to retirement information and communications vehicles can improve the 

functionality of the TSP for participants and work to retain a larger proportion of funds that might 

move out of the TSP into other investment vehicles. 

Many participants believe their withdrawal options are limited, and many plan to remove their 

TSP funds upon retirement, as they do not feel the TSP offers sufficient flexibility of 

withdrawal or investment or consolidation options. 

• Look to eliminate statutory limits/restrictions on participant withdrawal options. 

• Focus on better communication regarding the range and benefits of existing investment and 

consolidation options, perhaps comparing them to third-party offerings. 

The annual statements are frequently read and highly rated. 

• Since so many participants read and rely upon the statements for key information, consider 

including a calculation of likely retirement income need based on each participant’s specific 

age and years of service in statements. 

• Consider statements as a potential place to offer consolidated federal retirement fund 

reporting, if viable to provide. 

TSP.gov is a key source of information and account access, but it is not rated as highly as 

statements. Participants are looking for the site to do more for them, and Uniformed Services 

participants especially are looking for better mobile transaction capabilities. 

• To meet some of the online information needs, provide more information that ties specifically to 

individual participants by way of personalized investment planning and tool options such as 

retirement calculators based on participants’ personal financials. 

• Look to enhance mobile capabilities such as account resets, and enhance communications on 

the many existing mobile options. 

Uniformed Services participants are less satisfied with many plan offerings and have specific 

requests for what the plan can offer them. 

• Improve ThriftLine access as it relates to time zones and hours so Uniformed Services 

participants in all time zones have access. 

• Conduct targeted outreach to educate Uniformed Services participants on existing mobile 

capabilities 
19 

APPENDIX A: Methodology 

Data Collection

On March 31, 2017, all sampled participants were sent a pre-notification postcard via the United 

States Postal Service (USPS). The postcard explained the purpose of the upcoming survey and 

contained the URL and access code to complete the survey online. On April 7, 2017, Gallup mailed a 

survey packet in a flat envelope that contained a cover letter and an eight-page color survey booklet 

asking participants to complete and return the survey back to Gallup. Reminder/thank-you postcards 

were sent to all sampled participants on April 14. A final reminder postcard was sent on April 25 to all 

participants who had not yet completed the survey. All mail communications included the URL and 

access code for completing the survey online, if desired. 

Completed surveys were collected April 4-May 15, 2017. 

On April 4, 2017, sample members with an email address on record, who represented approximately 

one-third of the sample, were also sent an email invitation (in addition to the mail survey packet) to 

complete the survey. Non-responders were sent email reminders on April 12, April 19, May 1 and 

May 10. 

The field period ended on May 15, 2017. In cases where a respondent completed both a mail and 

web survey, the data from the web survey was retained and the mail survey data was not included in 

the data set. A total of 6,793 participants returned a survey and are included in the final data set. 

Sixty web participants progressed to the end of the survey and submitted it but did not provide a 

response to any of the questions. Eight respondents returned a blank paper survey. If these 

respondents are excluded, 6,725 participants provided non-missing data. 

Fifty-six percent of respondents completed the survey via web and 44% via mail. The following table 

provides the number of returns by mode and by retirement system. 

Table 1: Number of Completed Web Surveys by Retirement System 

Retirement system Number of 

returned surveys

Number completed 

via web % Web returns 

FERS 2,961 1,649 55.7 

CSRS 1,608 639 39.7 

US 2,156 1,463 67.9 

Total 6,725 3,751 55.8 

Significantly more web surveys were received from respondents who received mail and email invites 

and reminders. Among participants who received only mail communications, 30% completed the 

survey via web compared with 71.3% web returns from respondents who received mail and email 

communications. 

 
20 

Table 2: Number of Completed Web Surveys by Contact Type and Retirement System 

Retirement 

system 

Mail-only respondents Mail-plus-email respondents 

Total sample 

size

Number of 

completed 

surveys

Response 

rate (%) 

Total sample 

size 

Number of 

completed 

surveys 

Response 

rate (%) 

FERS 1,015 284 28.0% 1,946 1,365 70.1% 

CSRS 803 140 17.4% 805 499 62.0% 

US 713 336 47.1% 1,443 1,127 78.1% 

Total 2,531 760 30.0% 4,194 2,991 71.3% 

Overall, response rates were higher from respondents who received both mail and email 

communications. This is, in part, undoubtedly because respondents with email were contacted using 

more than one method and received more reminders than those who received only mail 

communications. However, TSP members who provided the TSP with an email address may also be 

more engaged members and therefore more likely to complete the survey, which may have also 

contributed to the higher response rates from this group. 

Table 3: Response Rates by Contact Type and Retirement System 

Retirement 

system 

Mail-only respondents Mail-plus-email respondents 

Total sample 

size

Number of 

completed 

surveys

Response 

rate (%) 

Total sample 

size 

Number of 

completed 

surveys 

Response 

rate (%) 

FERS 7,949 1,015 12.8% 5,386 1,946 36.1% 

CSRS 2,315 803 34.7% 1,434 805 56.1% 

US 15,570 713 4.6% 6,346 1,443 22.7% 

Total 25,834 2,531 9.8% 13,166 4,194 31.9% 

Sample Design 

Gallup employed a stratified sample design to meet the objectives of the FRTIB Participant 

Satisfaction Survey. The primary goal of the sample design was to increase the agency’s 

understanding of participants’ retirement planning behavior and satisfaction with TSP (Thrift Savings 

Plan) services. For sampling, the TSP participant pool was used as the sampling frame. The overall 

sample size was 39,000, and a total of 6,793 returned surveys (paper and online) resulted in an 

overall response rate of around 17.4%. If respondents who provided unit-missing data are excluded, 

the final sample size was 6,725, with a response rate of 17.2%. The total sample was allocated 

optimally across different strata to ensure adequate sample size for different groups and subgroups of 

interest to FRTIB. The main steps of the sampling process follow. 

Sample Stratification 

The three major TSP populations (Federal Employees Retirement System [FERS], Civil Service 

Retirement System [CSRS] and Uniformed Services [US]) are of special interest to FRTIB and were 
21 

chosen as the primary stratification variables. Within each of these populations (primary strata), 

additional stratification was used to ensure sufficient sample sizes for different subgroups. For FERS, 

a total of 90 strata were created based on the following variables: (i) employment status 

(active/separated), (ii) contributing status (auto-enrolled, contributing, non-contributing), (iii) age (<30, 

30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) and (iv) length of service (<11 years, 11-15, 16-25, >25). For CSRS, 

a total of 18 strata were created using the following variables: (i) employment status 

(active/separated), (ii) contributing status (contributing, non-contributing) and (iii) age (<30, 30-39, 40-

49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+). For US, a total of 111 strata were formed using the following variables: (i) 

branch (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, and Public Health), (ii) employment status (active/separated), (iii) contributing status 

(contributing, non-contributing) and (iv) age (<30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+). 

Sample Allocation 

Gallup carried out sample allocation across different strata and sub-strata while keeping in mind the 

sample size requirements at different levels. Table 4 provides the sample size and the corresponding 

number of completed surveys for the three primary sampling strata (or populations). Respondents 

who returned a survey with all missing data have been excluded from the table. 

Table 4: Sample Size and Number of Completed Surveys by Retirement System 

Retirement system Total sample size Number of 

completed surveys Response rate (%) 

FERS 13,335 2,961 22.2 

CSRS 3,749 1,608 42.9 

US 21,916 2,156 9.8 

Total 39,000 6,725 17.2 

Instead of allocating the sample proportionally across strata (i.e., assigning sample size based on the 

size of strata), Gallup determined it was necessary to use disproportional sample allocation across 

strata and sub-strata to ensure a minimum sample size for each stratum and sub-stratum. The 

expected response rates derived from past TSP surveys were taken into account to determine the 

sample size to be assigned at different levels. If the disproportion of the sample design is taken into 

account, the weighted response rate is 21.0%. 

Sample Selection 

Sampling was carried out independently within each sampling stratum and sub-stratum. Once the 

sample size to be allocated to a particular sub-stratum was finalized under the sample allocation plan, 

a simple random sample of specified size was drawn from each sub-stratum. The probability of 

selection was, therefore, the same for all cases within a sub-stratum. 

Weighting of Sample Data 

Sample data were weighted to minimize bias in sample-based estimates. The final weight assigned to 

each respondent in any sub-stratum was equal to the ratio of (i) the total number of participants in 

that sub-stratum and (ii) the number of completed surveys obtained from that sub-stratum. The 
22 

weighting process corrected for (i) unequal probability of selection across sub-strata and (ii) unit-level 

non-response or the failure to obtain participation from the sampled respondents. A few of the very 

small sub-strata had no completed surveys and so were combined with other strata for weighting. 

Using the final weights, the results obtained from participants within a sub-stratum can be projected to 

all participants of that sub-stratum. 

Precision of Estimates 

Ignoring design effect, the margin of error associated with estimate of a population proportion (P) for 

the three retirement systems combined (n=6,725) is roughly ±1.2% at 95% level of confidence. The 

margin of error after taking into account design effects due to disproportional sample allocation will be 

around ±1.8%. 

The precision of estimates for any subgroup will depend on the number of completed surveys 

obtained for that subgroup. As shown in Table 1, the number of completed surveys for the three 

populations (FERS, CSRS and US) are 2,961, 1,608 and 2,156, respectively. Ignoring design effect, 

the margin of error associated with estimates of a population proportion (P) for the three retirement 

systems, for example, will be roughly ±1.8%, ±2.4% and ±2.1%, respectively, at the 95% level of 

confidence. The corresponding values of margins of error after taking into account design effects due 

to disproportional sample allocation will be around ±2.4%, ±2.6% and ±3.1%, respectively, for the 

three retirement systems (FERS, CSRS and US). 

Profile of Plan Participants 

For the first time since beginning the participant satisfaction surveys in 2006, FRTIB employed 

disproportional stratified sample design to ensure sufficient sample size of key target groups. As 

noted, the data were weighted post-stratification by demographics and plan characteristics to reflect 

the known population profiles of the TSP’s participant groups. Thus, the weighted profile of 

respondents is an accurate depiction of TSP plan participants. 

Table 5: TSP Participants by Retirement System 

Retirement system Number of completed surveys Percentage of all TSP participants

FERS 2,961 68% 

CSRS 1,608 8% 

US 2,156 24% 

Total 6,725 100% 

Table 6: TSP Participants by Employment 

Federal 

employment status

Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of all 

TSP participants FERS CSRS US

Separated 2,877 25% 2,215 280 

Active 3,843 75% 746 1,328 805 

Total 6,725 100% 2,961 1,608 2,156
23 

Table 7: TSP Participants by Number of Years Employed (Active Participants - Self Reported) 

Years employed Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of all 

TSP participants FERS CSRS US

2 years or less 379 15% 116 1 262 

3 to 5 years 158 10% 142 4 12 

6 to 10 years 429 21% 421 1 7 

11 to 15 years 351 15% 344 2 5 

16 to 25 years 554 19% 522 9 23 

More than 25 years 775 19% 518 246 11 

Total 2,646 100% 2,063 263 320

Table 8: TSP Participants by Gender 

Gender Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of all TSP 

participants FERS CSRS US

Male 4,183 61% 1,627 913 1,643 

Female 2,241 39% 1,206 645 390 

Total 6,424 100% 2,833 1,558 2,033

Table 9: TSP Participants by Age 

Age in years Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of all 

TSP participants FERS CSRS US

Under 30 347 14% 45 2 300 

30-39 905 21% 318 3 584 

40-49 1,017 20% 472 10 535 

50-59 1,565 25% 966 214 385 

60-69 1,814 16% 819 819 176 

70 or over 825 4% 235 525 65 

Total 6,473 100% 2,855 1,573 2,045

 
24 

Table 10: TSP Participants by Race 

Race Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of 

TSP participants FERS CSRS US

Non-Hispanic white 4,482 66% 1,869 1,217 1,396 

Hispanic 432 9% 211 62 159 

Black 647 12% 332 136 179 

Asian 325 6% 194 46 85 

Other 228 3% 105 42 81 

Multiracial 214 4% 73 33 108 

Total 6,328 100% 2,784 1,536 2,008

Table 11: TSP Participants by Personal Income (Self-Reported) 

Personal income Number of 

completed surveys

Percentage of 

TSP participants FERS CSRS US

$40,000 or less 1,398 21% 442 288 668

$40,001 to $60,000 1,239 21% 559 330 350

$60,001 to $80,000 1,183 19% 548 319 316

$80,001 to $100,000 925 15% 414 237 274

$100,001 to $150,000 1,123 19% 615 221 287

More than $150,000 307 5% 165 54 88

Total 6,175 100% 2,743 1,449 1,983

 
25 

APPENDIX B: 2017 Active Participants Survey 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 

APPENDIX C: 2017 Separated Participants Survey 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40