Is 600k in TSP Enough to Retire? 

When I tell people they will most likely make more money when retired than when they were working, they can hardly believe it.

I retired a year ago. My wife passed away 4 years ago. When I retired, I had no mortgage, no car payments etc. I was saving close to 70% of my pay (maxed out the TSP, and just paying day-to-day living expenses). So far, every thing is working out, haven't touched my TSP, pensions are covering day-to-day expense, and I am still growing my checking and savings accounts. I was able to take a vacation to Fiji, and can probably take another vacation to Belize this year. I might even be so bold as to take a trip to Bonaire. (Scuba is a cruel mistress). But, all of my worries about finances when I made the decision to retire may have been for not. I think I made the right decision.

I can easily live off my FERS pension and Social Security and not touch the TSP. Make sound final choices, don't get divorced and remarried 3 times and the TSP can just be your fund for the extras your denied yourself while working.

Thanks for sharing!

One thing that is important to remember is what your FERS pension is worth versus the private sector. For example in the private sector you would need 750k in a 401k to equal 30k in FERS pension. This on top of insurance premiums. 600k in the TSP is gravy money. Pension, social security, and savings with little debt will go a long way. Use the 4 percent rule in reverse

Very simple to understand , unlike many federal jobs I worked. I'm surprised that many federal workers don't know when they are eligible to retire and/or don't know how to calculate how much they will get at a certain age or right now if they wanted to retire.

great analysis

Thank you! Very helpful. Looks like I'm good.

Thank you!!! This was very helpful.

Another awesome video! This information makes me feel better about my future retirement.

Thorough & helpful info as usual. Thanks!😊📈🧾

Absolutely one of your best videos! Thank you! :o)

i have created an Xcel spreadsheet which covers my exact situation. great stuff.

This is an excellent video. Great analysis.

Awesome as always

Thank you for your video I appreciate you pointing out that there is a a Gross amount you get from pension and social security but it’s the net amount that you have to live off., which is always trickier to figure out. When looking at retirement, it needs to be looked at in different stages. Say retirement from age 65 to 72 you are doing ok healthwise. During that time frame you want to be cognizant of your income and maybe only use what you have to , ie 3% because maybe at age 73 you get sick and have more health care cost and need some assistance at home, so you need to take out more money. And let’s say at 78 you need to live in an independent or Assisted living facility, depending on where you live in the country, that can be $5,000 to $10,000 a month. And remember you have to live there in on the Net amount which is always harder to figure than a Gross amount, an add in other expenses you will need to pay, ie cell phone, clothing, do you have a car, etc I am finding this out and/or realizing this as I’m in early retirement and due to an accident and health problems séquela from the injuries. I’m needing a different things and need to figure what is the best living arrangement for the level of care I need but I’m still in my early retirement phase. So the 4% rule works for part of retirement but as your health needs affect your level of care needs, the cost for things effect your living expenses and therefore the amount you need to take from your retirement savings. And again remember that income amount starts as a Gross amount but you have figure out what the Net amount is and add it to all your other Net amounts of income to figure out your monthly income minus your monthly expenses.

Don't forget to substract state taxes, if it applies to your state. It can be substancial.

I'm retired with a Military and civilian pension. Have a good VA rating and started my SS at 62. I live in Fl now in a new home that was paid for by the sale of my old home up north. I do not have the need to touch my TSP at this time and hope that I will not have to. It will go to the wife when my time is up, or I will use it on the new younger girlfriend when her time is up. She isn't happy. about that decision.

Don’t forget to add any allotments to your net pay, especially if they are covering loan payments, child support, etc.

That's good information

Excellent analysis

I calculate what I need by removing all of the stuff I pay for in my paycheck for most part. The takehome and insurance cost is what matters most. Also taking into account for tax rate in retirement. Then take into account insane inflation but good luck with that.

Thank you for always giving us advice. I'm lucky to have 150k but I'll be fine from setting myself up via other avenues.

Veterans don’t forget to file VA claims as it can be substantial and is tax free… every penny you are owned/earned apply for it! You earned it in sweat and blood and countless injuries.

From my tsp, FERS pension, ss, and VA disability comp, I’ll be good in retirement.

As always it’s all relative. There’s no single answer

thank my husband plans to retire from the post office at 57 in 3 1/2 years after 33 years working for the post office

My husband's retired works part time 25000 a year, 76 years old has a small tsp (250000) don't need the rmd. Whats your advice roll over to ira or keep in tsp of that 250000 in tsp we have 40% in G , 55%in c, 10% in s and 8% in bond fund. We have 300000 in cash a rental property, his and my ss. Any Advice would be appreciated I'm 73 thanks

I hate these questions because everyone is different. That being said is there a way to get guarenteed 5% in retirement that is not an annuity and not using cds? I know there is high yield savings accounts but they use money market and not guarrenteed.

We need a 4% calculator that simulates a lifetime.

Great video! Are DOD employees eligible for the FERS supplement if they meet the service years and MRA requirements? Thanks

Hi ! The 4% rule doesn't assume that you are going to "self-insure" yourself and spouse for long term heath care - is that correct ? Meaning that you need to have maybe $500,000 sitting in the TSP (hopefully converted to a Roth IRA) at some predicted age of 85 years old for both you and the spouse to use in the nursing home. So does the 4% rule become the 2% rule to ensure near end of life you have "some amount" remaining for the nursing home ?

Good stuff, as always. I recently heard that when you start to take out from your TSP, that the withdrawal comes out from each fund. So if half G, half C, then your withdrawal will come out from both. Is that true? Obviously, most would want it to all come out of the cash.

And you if u have outside investments you can definitely double triple ur income in retirement

I WILL be the first in my family tree to be a millionaire through TSP. I will be satisfied to leave this life if I can leave at least 6 digits among my kids.

In this economy you need twice that to live. At least 9k net per month

Very few people with those numbers would be paying 20% in taxes!! They’d probably be in the 12% federal tax bracket.

Is it possible to receive more during retirement in comparison to net pay earnings while employed?

Cost of living adjustments are not tracking actual inflation. If rent prices 10X at the same rate, by the time i retire it will be $20,000 per month for average rent.

we need Trump again to skyrocket our earnings and the economy - I had incredible earnings overall in my TSP for his first term - earning six figures a year with the orange man ! bring him back !!

@robertmurtle4148 His math is correct: 2000 (Pension) + 1000 (SS) + 1600 (TSP) = 4600 (total) 🙂