Category Archives: Investing & TSP

In-service Roth Thrift Savings Plan Conversions

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Doug Nordman

A reader asks: When you’re in the Blended Retirement System, does it make sense to convert the traditional TSP’s agency & matching contributions to the Roth TSP? It looks like an interesting new feature with the 2026 changes to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

The World’s Best Asset Allocation

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Doug Nordman

Military families ask a frequent question about financial independence: “Hey Nords, what stocks should we buy?” It’s a trick question. Before people start picking investments, the first step is deciding on an asset allocation. Yet the responses quickly devolve into … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

Reasons To Keep Your TSP Account (or NOT)

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Doug Nordman

A long-time reader (and good friend!) writes about their financial independence: “Is there ever an issue to keep money in the federal Thrift Savings Plan instead of moving it to a brokerage firm? I still have my military and civilian … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

Did DFAS And The TSP Let You Contribute Too Much?

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Doug Nordman

Check your 2021 TSP contributions now! I’ve heard from three different servicemembers that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and the Thrift Savings Plan have failed to stop their TSP contributions after reaching the elective deferral limit ($19,500 in 2021). … Continue reading →

Posted in Investing & TSP, Military Retirement | 9 Comments

“I’m 59.5 Years Old And Done Writing About *My* Money”

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Doug Nordman

We’re aging out. As many of you know from your research, 59.5 is the minimum age for starting optional withdrawals from an IRA. Nearly everyone worries about how they’ll tap their IRA for living expenses when they reach financial independence … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military Retirement | 18 Comments