2011 Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan 

Required by §105 of the 

TSP Enhancement Act of 2009 

 June 29, 2012 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 2 of 16 

Introduction 

In compliance with §105 of the TSP Enhancement Act of 2009, Public Law 111-

31, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) has prepared this annual 

report which outlines the status of the development and implementation of the mutual 

fund window in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and provides participant statistics and 

diversity demographics of the investment manager of the assets in the Thrift Savings 

Fund. 

Mutual Fund Window 

Background

In 2009, the FRTIB initiated discussions with the FRTIB Board Members (Board) 

and the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC) about the addition of a self-directed 

mutual fund option to the TSP investment lineup. In the April 2009 meeting, the Board 

deadlocked on the decision to adopt a resolution in support of the mutual fund window 

by a vote of two to two. The fifth Board member was not in attendance. ETAC members 

were similarly divided in their support for the mutual fund window. While members 

appreciated “the political release valve for the political pressures from groups that want 

to add funds to the Thrift Savings Plan”1

 that a mutual fund window offers, they 

expressed nervousness regarding the risks that participants may potentially take with 

their TSP retirement assets. Additionally, ETAC desired that “a lot of effort be given to 

put a premium on transparency.”2 Because the low cost of the TSP cannot be matched 

in the mutual fund industry, any mutual funds wanting to participate in the window must 

“be required to reveal in explicit and understandable details the costs involved.” 3 

Because of the divided support of the Board and ETAC and the Agency’s 

commitment to add a Roth feature, the Agency has not pursued the implementation of 

the mutual fund window. However, with the implementation of Roth in May 2012, the 

Agency will refocus its investigation into the feasibility of a mutual fund window. While 

constrained resources related to the Roth implementation prevented this investigation 

from happening in earnest, Agency staff continues to monitor the availability and usage 

of the mutual fund window as well best practices in the defined contribution industry. 

They have also conducted preliminary research into how other plans administer mutual 

fund windows. Lastly, the Agency will use the Roth implementation as a guidepost for 

identifying the challenges for adding a complex feature to the Plan, understanding the 

associated communication challenges, and gaining insight into participant usage. 

 

1

 “Employee Thrift Advisory Council Meeting Minutes,” Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (February 4, 

2009) pg. 40. 

2

 “Employee Thrift Advisory Council Meeting Minutes,” Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (February 4, 

2009) pg. 41. 

3

 “Employee Thrift Advisory Council Meeting Minutes,” Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (February 4, 

2009) pg. 42. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 3 of 16 

What is a Mutual Fund Window?

During the past decade, many private sector 401(k) plans have added selfdirected investment alternatives to their plans. These options have been in the form of 

either a full-service brokerage window or a scaled-down version generally referred to as 

a mutual fund window. The brokerage window typically allows participants to select 

investments from a list of publicly-traded securities and mutual funds. The mutual fund 

window limits access to a broad range of mutual funds. Historically, these self-directed 

accounts have been most appealing to highly compensated participants and/or a few 

vocal participants who demand access to a much wider range of investment choices 

than are in the plan’s core investment options. 

Typically, plans offering mutual fund windows will charge any participant 

accessing this option a monthly or quarterly fee. This fee is designed to cover the cost 

of setting-up/administering the feature and is assessed against the account balances of 

only those participants utilizing the mutual fund window. In addition to this setup/maintenance fee, the participant will bear the trading costs and other charges 

assessed by the mutual fund window provider. 

 

Best Practices

 As the defined contribution industry continues to evolve, plans are moving away 

from investment menus that have a large line-up of funds, some with duplicative asset 

class offerings. Plans are now pursuing a three-tiered approach, which recognizes the 

different levels of participant interest and ability in managing investments. With this 

approach, “the plan identifies the participant profiles they are trying to serve in each tier 

of the investment menu. There are three typical profiles: Do It For Me, Do It With Me 

and I’ll Do It Myself. This ‘choice architecture’ allows a participant to easily identify with 

a profile and pick from a respective tier.”4

 The TSP satisfies the “Do It For Me” profile 

with the professionally determined investment mixes in the Lifecycle Fund options. The 

“Do It With Me” participants can use the five core investment options to pursue their 

investment strategy. By offering a limited set of options, the TSP “aids participants’ 

allocation and decision-making.”5 Currently, the “I’ll Do It Myself” participants are 

stymied by the absence of a mutual fund window in the TSP. Although the industry 

identifies these three tiers of participants, it also recognizes that a very small minority of 

participants will fall into the third tier – I’ll Do It Myself – as evidenced by the usage rates 

of mutual fund and brokerage windows. 

 

4

 “Seven Attributes of an Excellent Defined Contribution Plan,” Russell Investments (February 2012) pg.2. 

5

 “Seven Attributes of an Excellent Defined Contribution Plan,” Russell Investments (February 2012) pg.2. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 4 of 16 

Availability and Usage

As noted in the table of defined contribution surveys below, providing access to 

brokerage or mutual fund windows in private sector 401(k) plans is becoming more 

common. However, these options are only utilized by a very small percentage of 

participants. While the mutual fund window provides considerable investment 

flexibility to defined contribution plan participants, the percentage of participants 

actually utilizing this feature is quite small, with participant usage rates being mostly 

static. 

National Defined Contribution Surveys 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

Deloitte 401(k) Benchmarking Survey 

(436 plans surveyed in 2008; 449 in 2010; 430 in 2011)

▪ Plans offering self-directed mutual 

fund window n/a n/a 9% 13% 11% 

PSCA Annual Survey 

(1011 plans surveyed in 2007; 908 in 2008; 931 in 2009; 820 plans in 2011)

▪ Plans offering self-directed mutual 

fund window 5.3% 8.3% 1.0% 6.1% n/a 

▪ Plans offering self-directed brokerage 

window 15.6% 15.5% 18.5% 20.8% n/a 

▪ % of total year-end fund balance is 

invested in self-directed mutual 

fund window 

0.5% 1.9% 0.2% 1.7% n/a 

▪ % of total year-end fund balance is 

invested in self-directed 

brokerage window 

0.6% 0.6% 0.9% 0.9% n/a 

▪ Average allocation in selfdirected mutual fund window 0.9% 1.5% 0.2% 0.8% n/a 

▪ Average allocation in self-directed 

brokerage window 2.0% 2.2% 1.8% 2.6% n/a 

Aon Hewitt Trends and Experience in 401(k) Plans (302 plans surveyed in 2007; 285 in 2009; 546 in 2011)

▪ Plans offering self-directed brokerage 

window 18% n/a 26% n/a 29% 

▪ % of assets invested in self-directed 

brokerage window 3% n/a 3% n/a n/a 

Vanguard How America Saves (2,200 plans surveyed in 2008; 2,200 in 2009, 2,200 in 2010, >2,000 in 2011)

▪ Plans offering self-directed brokerage 

window n/a 11% 9% 10% 11% 

▪ % of participants using self-directed 

brokerage window n/a 1% 1% 1% 1% 

PlanSponsor DC Survey 

(5,973 plans surveyed in 2008; 5,929 plans in 2010; 6,885 in 2011)

▪ Plans offering self-directed brokerage 

window n/a 15.2% n/a 14.2% 17.9% 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 5 of 16 

Administration

Adding a mutual fund window will allow participants greater investment flexibility 

and therefore diversification opportunities. However, the addition of this option 

increases the complexity of the Plan. The Agency is just beginning to investigate the 

administrative aspects of the option, such as minimum balances, transfer restrictions, 

and participant disclosure; and it has surveyed some other plans on how their option is 

administered. (See Appendix A.) This plan information will help identify the technical 

barriers and communication challenges that accompany the introduction of a mutual 

fund window. 

Current Status

 As stated in the beginning of the report, Agency resources have been 

constrained by the Roth implementation, and limited progress has been made on this 

topic. In the coming year, the Agency will further investigate this option and will 

present its findings to the members of ETAC and the Board for their respective 

consideration and decision. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 6 of 16 

Participant Statistics

As of December 31, 2011 

Total Participants

Employment Status 

And Retirement Status Participant Count (000’s) 

Active FERS 2,453

Active CSRS 228

Active Uniformed Services 894

Separated Participants 964

All Participants 4,539

Account Balance, Annual Contribution, and Participant Age*

Employment Status 

and Retirement Status 

Average 

Balance 

Average 

Contribution 

Average 

Age 

Active FERS $82,461 $5,306 45.6 

Active CSRS $85,607 $6,620 57.3 

Active Uniformed Services $12,582 $2,197 31.2 

Separated Participants $57,311 n/a 50.8 

All Participants $63,398 $3,755 44.5 

 *See Appendix B for additional details on participant account balances and contributions. 

Asset Allocation 

Participant* G Fund F Fund C Fund S Fund I Fund L Funds

FERS 44% 7% 23% 8% 5% 13%

CSRS 52% 7% 23% 6% 3% 9%

Uniformed Services 41% 5% 14% 12% 9% 19%

All Participants 45% 7% 23% 7% 5% 13%

*Includes active and separated participants. 

TSP Participant Behavior and Demographics Report 

The Participant Behavior and Demographics Report will be issued in fall 2012. This 

report is an analysis of data extracted from the TSP and enhanced with additional 

information gathered from the Office of Personnel Management and will provide insight 

into plan demographics, participant investment behavior, and benefits usage. This 

report will be submitted as an addendum to this Annual Report 

Investment Manager Diversity Demographics 

The attached report (Appendix C) from TSP investment manager, BlackRock, provides 

a breakdown of its employee diversity.
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan 

Appendix A 

MUTUAL 

FUND 

WINDOW (MFW)

ADMINISTRATION AT 

OTHER 

DEFINED 

CONTRIBUTION 

PLAN

Plan Name 

(MFW Platform) 

CalSTRS Voluntary Investment Program (State Street Global Markets) 

Chevron Profit Sharing/Savings Plan (State Street Brokerage Services) 

IBM Savings Plan (Info n/a) 

Invesco 401(k), Money Purchase, and ESOP Plans (State Street Brokerage) 

MontgomCounty, MDeferred Comp Pla(State StreGlobal Ma

Minimum balance that must be retained in primary funds 

$500 $1,000 $1,000 None Info n/a 

Minimum and maximum amounts that can be transferred to MFW 

Minimum initial transfer $1,000. subsequent transfers $250 

None Minimum initial 

transfer $5000. subsequent transfers $1,000 

Info n/a Most mutua

funds have minimum 

Direct payroll contributions No No No No Info n/a Limits on number of transfers to MFW 

No Once every 30 

days (no limit on transfers to core funds) 

Info n/a Info n/a Info n/a 

Processing time for transfers between MFW and primary funds 

If transfer to MFW 

before 4:00 pm, funds generally available next day. If transfer to primary funds before 4:00 pm, funds available after trade settlement period, generally three days. 

Info n/a Info n/a Info n/a Usually thr

days (settleperiod) for transfers bcore funds
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan 

Plan Name 

(MFW Platform) 

CalSTRS Voluntary Investment Program (State Street Global Markets) 

Chevron Profit Sharing/Savings Plan (State Street Brokerage Services) 

IBM Savings Plan (Info n/a) 

Invesco 401(k), Money Purchase, and ESOP Plans (State Street Brokerage) 

MontgomCounty, MDeferred Comp Pla(State StreGlobal Ma

Loans permitted from MFW or primary funds only 

Primary funds only Primary funds 

only 

Primary funds only 

Info n/a Primary fun

only 

Withdrawals permitted from MFW or primary funds only 

Primary funds only Primary funds 

only 

Primary funds only 

Info n/a Primary fun

only 

Participant Disclosure Agreement/Acknowledgement of Risk 

Info n/a Info n/a Info n/a Info n/a Brokerage 

Account PrDispute Arbitration Agreement 

Fees $50 annual fee that is 

deducted proportionately from core funds on monthly basis. Transfer out fee of $50. See prospectus for other mutual fund fees. However, $34 service for no-load mutual funds. 

Monthly maintenance fee of $4.17. $34 transaction fee. See prospectus for other mutual fund fees. 

$25 per quarter. See prospectus for other mutual fund fees. 

Info n/a Info n/a 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan 

Plan Name 

(MFW Platform) 

CalSTRS Voluntary Investment Program (State Street Global Markets) 

Chevron Profit Sharing/Savings Plan (State Street Brokerage Services) 

IBM Savings Plan (Info n/a) 

Invesco 401(k), Money Purchase, and ESOP Plans (State Street Brokerage) 

MontgomCounty, MDeferred Comp Pla(State StreGlobal Ma

Statements/Confirmations Quarterly brokerage 

stmts. Monthly statement if activity 

Market value and rates of return of MFW on quarterly Chevron statement 

Info n/a Quarterly 

brokerage stmts. Monthly statement if activity. Also, total MFW balance is line item on participant statement and available on telephone information line and web site. 

Quarterly brokerage Monthly statement activity. Wconfirmatiotransaction

Other facts If insufficient 

balance in core funds for loan or withdrawal, the plan will effect a pro-rata transfer of funds from the MFW. The amount transferred will 1.05 times the needed amount to account for investment fluctuation plus $1,000 to restore the minimum balance 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 10 of 16 

Appendix B 

Active FERS Participants

Account Balance by Age and Tenure*

As of December 31, 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70+ All

0 - 2 years

Average $3,946 $7,083 $9,556 $12,901 $14,233 $16,163 $7,956

25th Percentile $899 $1,410 $1,543 $1,640 $1,568 $741 $1,293

Median $2,491 $3,691 $3,994 $4,537 $4,839 $2,560 $3,491

75th Percentile $5,478 $7,881 $9,066 $11,302 $12,917 $9,055 $7,704

Participant Count 79,872 81,545 70,183 43,280 9,749 463 285,092

2 - 5 years 

Average $12,357 $17,656 $20,937 $27,139 $28,732 $24,401 $19,452

25th Percentile $3,546 $4,685 $4,159 $4,763 $3,691 $1,324 $4,247

Median $9,960 $12,475 $12,630 $14,653 $14,201 $7,617 $12,124

75th Percentile $17,204 $23,289 $26,174 $33,163 $35,154 $29,533 $23,722

Participant Count 98,664 141,607 114,060 77,061 20,179 1,043 452,614

5 -10 years 

Average $25,794 $42,749 $47,750 $57,766 $65,685 $64,622 $48,114

25th Percentile $8,577 $14,449 $13,835 $16,144 $14,046 $4,998 $13,879

Median $20,929 $32,774 $32,911 $38,673 $40,086 $27,671 $33,168

75th Percentile $36,835 $59,851 $65,347 $79,027 $91,334 $85,300 $64,641

Participant Count 37,320 175,123 155,021 121,002 35,625 2,131 526,222

10 - 20 years 

Average $31,714 $73,497 $97,088 $105,312 $115,844 $123,879 $97,839

25th Percentile $10,689 $26,386 $34,439 $39,971 $37,841 $22,866 $34,332

Median $25,247 $59,006 $76,099 $83,976 $91,577 $73,174 $76,647

75th Percentile $45,183 $105,110 $137,600 $144,063 $162,617 $179,561 $136,480

Participant Count 1,251 102,946 252,116 200,020 65,263 4,153 625,749

20 years +

Average $0 $80,227 $172,763 $192,851 $191,215 $211,539 $185,741

25th Percentile $0 $29,808 $70,006 $85,197 $70,295 $60,759 $77,126

Median $0 $62,987 $145,466 $161,909 $154,278 $159,411 $155,119

75th Percentile $0 $116,114 $250,640 $267,243 $265,909 $307,838 $261,088

Participant Count 0 2,366 183,324 289,579 82,904 5,236 563,409

All 

Average $11,681 $36,381 $85,984 $118,412 $123,863 $137,633 $82,461

25th Percentile $1,900 $6,390 $14,692 $25,470 $22,513 $14,637 $10,667

Median $6,530 $20,117 $48,720 $79,000 $81,702 $75,494 $40,144

75th Percentile $15,545 $49,796 $123,002 $170,200 $178,069 $199,930 $114,754

Participant Count 217,107 503,587 774,704 730,942 213,720 13,026 2,453,086

* Tenure is calculated using the TSP Service Computation Date (TSP-SCD), which is reported by the agencies and is used to 

determine the vesting of Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions. For the purposes of this report, the TSP-SCD is being used as an

approximate for the date of hire. However, for some participants, the TSP-SCD is not the same as the date of hire due to breaksin-service and credited service. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 11 of 16 

Active FERS Participants * 

Employee Contributions by Age and Tenure** 

Contribution Year: 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59*** 60 - 69*** 70+*** All 

0 - 2 years

Average $1,532 $2,337 $2,708 $3,605 $4,147 $3,487 $2,459 

25th Percentile $356 $531 $586 $625 $567 $97 $490 

Median $1,022 $1,442 $1,553 $1,761 $1,843 $1,074 $1,377 

75th Percentile $2,154 $2,901 $3,269 $4,114 $4,790 $3,808 $2,872 

Participant Count 79,872 81,545 70,183 43,280 9,749 463 285,092 

Agency 1% Only Count  6,073 6,024 5,708 3,470 945 80 22,300 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 7.6% 7.4% 8.1% 8.0% 9.7% 17.3% 7.8% 

2 - 5 years 

Average $2,813 $3,477 $3,824 $5,021 $5,439 $4,932 $3,773 

25th Percentile $650 $795 $650 $873 $650 $0 $715 

Median $2,330 $2,569 $2,516 $2,791 $2,775 $1,685 $2,548 

75th Percentile $3,688 $4,498 $4,929 $6,500 $7,319 $7,096 $4,706 

Participant Count 98,664 141,607 114,060 77,061 20,179 1,043 452,614 

Agency 1% Only Count  15,079 21,877 21,667 13,986 4,046 344 76,999 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 15.3% 15.4% 19.0% 18.1% 20.1% 33.0% 17.0% 

5 -10 years 

Average $3,507 $4,709 $4,846 $6,060 $6,914 $6,235 $5,130 

25th Percentile $990 $1,470 $1,300 $1,702 $1,752 $207 $1,412 

Median $2,656 $3,468 $3,259 $3,900 $4,313 $3,114 $3,455 

75th Percentile $4,624 $6,338 $6,731 $8,546 $10,644 $10,053 $7,020 

Participant Count 37,320 175,123 155,021 121,002 35,625 2,131 526,222 

Agency 1% Only Count  4,369 18,104 20,053 15,464 4,659 465 63,114 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 11.7% 10.3% 12.9% 12.8% 13.1% 21.8% 12.0% 

10 - 20 years 

Average $3,163 $5,117 $5,691 $6,457 $7,578 $7,608 $6,046 

25th Percentile $732 $1,406 $1,676 $2,200 $2,600 $1,337 $1,912 

Median $2,578 $2,977 $4,096 $4,740 $5,550 $5,200 $4,359 

75th Percentile $4,421 $7,346 $8,369 $9,085 $11,469 $13,164 $8,685 

Participant Count 1,251 102,946 252,116 200,020 65,263 4,153 625,749 

Agency 1% Only Count  162 12,016 29,373 21,493 6,389 550 69,983 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 12.9% 11.7% 11.7% 10.7% 9.8% 13.2% 11.2% 

20 years +

Average $0 $4,454 $6,787 $7,470 $7,983 $8,691 $7,321 

25th Percentile $0 $854 $2,320 $2,600 $2,655 $2,492 $2,600 

Median $0 $3,169 $5,319 $5,579 $5,912 $6,769 $5,560 

75th Percentile $0 $6,392 $11,157 $11,536 $12,481 $15,085 $11,513 

Participant Count 0 2,366 183,324 289,579 82,904 5,236 563,409 

Agency 1% Only Count  0 338 18,742 25,880 7,124 500 52,584 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 0.0% 14.3% 10.2% 8.9% 8.6% 9.5% 9.3% 

Continued on Next Page 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 12 of 16 

Active FERS Participants * 

Employee Contributions by Age and Tenure** 

Contribution Year: 2011

Continued from Previous Page 

All Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59*** 60 - 69*** 70+*** All 

Average $2,463 $4,061 $5,236 $6,472 $7,266 $7,457 $5,306 

25th Percentile $495 $966 $1,300 $1,843 $2,086 $1,105 $1,288 

Median $1,811 $2,782 $3,471 $4,439 $5,200 $5,165 $3,340 

75th Percentile $3,294 $5,363 $7,722 $9,406 $11,157 $13,000 $7,529 

Participant Count 217,107 503,587 774,704 730,942 213,720 13,026 2,453,086 

Agency 1% Only Count  25,683 58,359 95,543 80,293 23,163 1,939 284,980 

Agency 1% Only Percent** ** 11.8% 11.6% 12.3% 11.0% 10.8% 14.9% 11.6% 

* Includes only participants who had an account balance greater than zero as of December 31, 2011. 

** Tenure is calculated using the TSP Service Computation Date (TSP-SCD), which is reported by the agencies and is used to 

determine the vesting of Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions. For the purposes of this report, the TSP-SCD is being used as 

an approximate for the date of hire. However, for some participants, the TSP-SCD is not the same as the date of hire due to 

breaks-in-service and credited service. 

***For participants age 50 and over, the contribution amount includes regular employee contributions and catch-up contributions.

**** FERS participants who did not make employee contributions and only received Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions.

 

 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 13 of 16 

Active CSRS Participants* 

Account Balance by Age** 

As of December 31, 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70+ All

Average n/a n/a $59,830 $81,678 $95,915 $122,992 $85,607

25th Percentile n/a n/a $13,922 $23,759 $23,455 $30,992 $23,221

Median n/a n/a $45,140 $61,699 $67,883 $87,526 $62,799

75th Percentile n/a n/a $89,180 $119,295 $143,206 $189,278 $124,478

Participant Count 0 0 9,241 150,330 62,966 5,071 227,731

 

Active CSRS Participants * 

Employee Contributions by Age** 

Contribution Year: 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59*** 60 - 69*** 70+*** All

Average n/a n/a $4,946 $6,400 $7,284 $8,117 $6,620

25th Percentile n/a n/a $859 $1,300 $1,354 $2,028 $1,300

Median n/a n/a $3,348 $4,237 $4,906 $5,606 $4,408

75th Percentile n/a n/a $7,451 $9,515 $11,518 $13,832 $10,010

Participant Count 0 0 9,241 150,330 62,966 5,071 227,731

Non-Contributors n/a n/a 1,384 21,177 8,772 733 32,066

Non-Contributors Percent n/a n/a 15.0% 14.1% 13.9% 14.5% 14.1% 

 * Includes only participants who had an account balance greater than zero as of December 31, 2011 

**Tenure cannot be calculated for CSRS participants. Because CSRS participants do not receive Agency Automatic (1%) 

Contributions, their agencies do not submit TSP Service Computation Dates (TSP-SCD) for them. The TSP-SCD is used to 

determine the vesting of Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions. 

 

***For participants age 50 and over, the contribution amount includes regular employee contributions and catch-up contributions. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 14 of 16 

Active Uniformed Services Participants* 

Account Balance by Age 

As of December 31, 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70+ All

Average $3,752 $15,148 $30,078 $39,619 $70,581 $55,672 $12,582

25th Percentile $529 $2,263 $4,854 $6,886 $11,104 $568 $967

Median $1,637 $7,903 $16,340 $19,851 $43,952 $1,600 $3,706

75th Percentile $4,392 $19,937 $40,016 $53,248 $112,765 $116,507 $13,058

Participant Count 453,097 270,663 140,770 28,703 1,156 10 894,399

Active Uniformed Services Participants * 

Employee Contributions by Age** 

Contribution Year: 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59*** 60 - 69*** 70+*** All

Average $1,159 $2,614 $4,040 $5,391 $8,476 $7,254 $2,197

25th Percentile $225 $402 $519 $613 $0 $0 $272

Median $659 $1,445 $2,065 $2,321 $5,443 $95 $987

75th Percentile $1,469 $3,409 $5,437 $7,806 $16,500 

$19,25

0 $2,491

Participant Count 453,097 270,663 140,770 28,703 1,156 10 894,399

Non-Contributors 46,831 38,024 21,366 4,265 347 4 110,837

Non-Contributors Percent 10.3% 14.0% 15.2% 14.9% 30.0% 40.0% 12.4%

* Includes only participants who had an account balance greater than zero as of December 31, 2011 

 

** Tenure cannot be calculated for uniformed services participants. Because uniformed services participants do not receive 

Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions, their services do not submit TSP Service Computation Dates (TSP-SCD) for them. The 

TSP-SCD is used to determine the vesting of Agency Automatic (1%) Contributions. The employee contribution is the total of 

tax-deferred and tax-exempt contributions. 

***For participants age 50 and over, the contribution amount includes regular employee contributions and catch-up contributions. 
Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan Page 15 of 16 

Account Balance by Age* 

All Separated Participants 

Sweep date: December 31, 2011

Under 30 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70+ All

Average $3,730 $12,012 $31,847 $77,109 $98,073 $75,162 $57,311

25th Percentile $730 $1,177 $2,816 $10,148 $29,455 $22,553 $3,567

Median $1,788 $4,261 $13,070 $42,129 $70,276 $48,828 $22,747

75th Percentile $4,481 $13,413 $39,322 $107,460 $135,248 $96,232 $78,316

Participant Count 133,212 127,719 149,160 196,776 281,452 75,772 964,091 

* Includes only participants who had an account balance greater than zero as of December 31, 2011 
Appendix C 

Annual Report of the Thrift Savings Plan