Frequently Asked Questions


We have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions from our members and prospective members. If you have a question, please review the list below, as you may find answers to questions you had not yet considered. If your question is not addressed, or if you need additional clarification, please contact us. Thank you.

For convenience, we have grouped the questions and answers into four categories:
General Information / Trading Questions / Market Timing / Site Specific Questions


General Information:

Can I have the TSP trading signals sent via text message?

Yes. To receive TSP Alerts by SMS text message, please contact us at editor@tspfundtrading.com and provide your name, email address, and mobile phone number so we can verify your membership and add you to our text alert distribution list.

Can I change my email address and/or SMS text number?

Yes. To update your email address or SMS text number, please contact us at editor@tspfundtrading.com. Please include your old and new email addresses and/or your old and new text numbers.

What are the TSP Funds?

The Thrift Savings Plan offers five core investment funds: (1) G Fund: Government Securities Investment Fund, (2) F Fund: Fixed Income Index Investment Fund, (3) C Fund: Common Stock Index Investment Fund, (4) S Fund: Small Capitalization Stock Index Investment Fund, and (5) I Fund: International Stock Index Investment Fund. Please visit our TSP Funds page for a more detailed explanation of each fund.

What are the best ticker symbols to use for tracking the funds?

For tracking purposes, we generally use AGG or BND for the F Fund, $SPX for the C Fund, VXF or $DWCPF for the S Fund, and EFA for the I Fund. There is no public ticker symbol for the G Fund.

I have never invested before. Where should I start?

There are many educational resources available for new investors. We recommend beginning with the official resources provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Thrift Savings Plan website. These resources can help you better understand basic investing principles, retirement planning, and the specific rules that apply to TSP participants.

I have questions about making an Interfund Transfer. Where can I find official information?

We encourage you to visit the official Thrift Savings Plan website at www.TSP.GOV. The TSP website provides the official rules, instructions, and account tools needed to make Interfund Transfers and manage your account.


Trading Questions:

    When there is a new IFT, how do I make the change?

    To make an Interfund Transfer, go to TSP.gov and log into your account. From there, select the appropriate option to move money among funds. You will generally be asked to choose the funds from which money will be moved, enter the new percentage allocations, review the transaction, and submit the request. Please make sure your allocations total 100% before submitting.

    When you release a new trading signal, does it apply to personal contributions as well as the Interfund Transfer?

    Our allocation changes apply to Interfund Transfers, which affect your existing TSP account balance. They do not automatically change how future payroll contributions are invested. Contribution allocations can be changed separately through your TSP account and do not count as Interfund Transfers. Members are responsible for deciding whether they want their future contributions allocated the same way as their current account balance.

    When the market is strong, should I allocate 100% to one specific fund?

    We generally believe that diversification is an important part of risk management. However, we cannot advise any individual member how much capital to allocate to any specific fund because each investor has different financial objectives, time horizons, and risk tolerance. Our service provides our current allocation model, market analysis, and the reasoning behind our position, but each member remains responsible for making his or her own final investment decisions.

    Since you believe in diversification, how do you determine the percentage allocations among the funds?

    On the members page, we evaluate current market conditions using our proprietary system, technical analysis, and market commentary. Our allocation decisions are based on the criteria established by our methodology, not on emotion or short-term market opinions.

    Example: If the S&P 500 is advancing but approaching an important resistance level, and our indicators begin to show weakening momentum or increased downside risk, we may reduce exposure to the stock funds and increase exposure to the G Fund or F Fund. Conversely, if market conditions improve and our system identifies a favorable risk-to-reward setup, we may increase exposure to the C, S, or I Funds. Our objective is to participate in favorable market trends while reducing exposure during periods of elevated risk.

    What is the typical length of time you remain in a certain fund or group of funds before switching?

    There is no fixed holding period. Market conditions are constantly changing, and our allocations depend on the signals generated by our methodology. During strong uptrends, we may favor the stock funds. During declining or uncertain markets, we may favor the G Fund or F Fund. All allocation decisions are made within the limitations of the TSP Interfund Transfer rules.

    Can you explain the Interfund Transfer rule?

    Under current TSP rules, the first two Interfund Transfers in any calendar month may redistribute money among any or all of the TSP funds. After the first two IFTs, additional transfers during the same calendar month may only move money into the Government Securities Investment Fund, or G Fund. These rules apply separately to civilian and uniformed services accounts.

    What is the difference between long-term, intermediate-term, and short-term trends?

    Market trends are commonly divided into three categories: long-term, intermediate-term, and short-term. Long-term trends typically last many months to several years and represent the broader direction of the market. Intermediate-term trends often last several weeks to several months and may represent corrections or rallies within the larger trend. Short-term trends generally last from several days to several weeks and are often influenced by near-term market sentiment, news, or technical conditions.

    The longer-term trend is usually the most important because it provides the broader context for shorter-term movements. Short-term rallies can occur during bear markets, and short-term pullbacks can occur during bull markets. Our analysis considers multiple time frames to better understand the overall market environment.

    Do you offer a separate service for trading Exchange Traded Funds?

    Yes. Our ETF-related services are designed for investors who wish to trade funds outside of their TSP retirement account. These services are separate from the TSP allocation service and generally require an online brokerage account, such as Schwab or another brokerage platform.

    When an ETF signal is issued, members receive an alert by email and/or text message. The member is then responsible for placing the trade in his or her own brokerage account. For more information, please visit Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) Premier System.


    Market Timing:

    How are your allocations generated?

    Our service uses a combination of a mechanical methodology and a disciplined rules-based system. The mechanical component consists of proprietary algorithmic scripts, each with its own settings and parameters. The rules-based component establishes the criteria used to determine percentage allocations among the TSP funds.

    What is the purpose and objective of your service?

    Our service is designed to help TSP participants pursue superior long-term, risk-adjusted returns while emphasizing capital preservation during periods of increased market risk. Our primary objective is to help federal employees and members of the uniformed services make more informed allocation decisions within their Thrift Savings Plan accounts.

    What is contained in the weekly newsletter?

    The weekly newsletter contains technical commentary and chart analysis for the major TSP funds. It generally includes a market overview of the S&P 500 Index, which is used as a proxy for the C Fund, along with analysis of the S, I, and F Funds. The commentary may include broader trend analysis, support and resistance levels, momentum indicators, relative strength, market sentiment, overbought and oversold readings, and other technical factors.

    When should we expect to receive your comments?

    Our weekly newsletter is normally posted on the members-only page before the market opens on Thursday. Members receive an email notification after the page has been updated. When our methodology indicates that an Interfund Transfer may be appropriate, members receive a separate alert that includes the recommended percentage allocations among the TSP funds.

    As soon as I become a member and visit the members page, should I immediately follow the current allocation?

    That decision is entirely up to you. In general, the current allocation shown on the members page represents our active model allocation at that time. However, each member should consider his or her own risk tolerance, objectives, and personal circumstances before making any allocation change.

    Is investment news and other research data taken into consideration?

    We monitor financial news and broader market developments, but our allocation decisions are primarily driven by our proprietary methodology and technical analysis. News often explains what has already happened, while price action and technical indicators can help identify shifts in market behavior. Fundamental data may also be useful, particularly over intermediate- and long-term time frames.


    Site Specific Questions:

    Who are your members?

    Our members include civilian federal employees, members of the uniformed services, retirees, former federal employees who still maintain TSP accounts, and investors who are interested in disciplined TSP allocation strategies. Many members participate under FERS, while others are covered under CSRS or maintain TSP accounts from prior federal service. We also have financial professionals who follow our analysis and signals as part of their own research process.

    What is your renewal rate?

    We are grateful that many members continue with our service year after year. While renewal rates may vary over time, our goal is to provide consistent value through disciplined analysis, timely alerts, and a professional approach to TSP allocation guidance.

    Does your company also trade the stock funds?

    Yes. We follow the same general allocation methodology used in our service. We believe our approach provides a disciplined framework for managing risk compared to a passive buy-and-hold strategy, especially during periods of major market weakness.

    History has shown that large market declines can significantly affect retirement savings. For example, during the 2000-2002 bear market, the C Fund declined sharply along with the broader stock market. Investors who remained fully invested in stock funds during major bear markets often experienced substantial losses and, in some cases, moved to safer funds only after much of the decline had already occurred. Our objective is to identify meaningful changes in market conditions early enough to help reduce exposure during higher-risk periods and participate when conditions become more favorable.

    Who provides the signal changes and information in the newsletter?

    The signal changes and newsletter commentary are provided by Robert W. Dillon, Ph.D., founder and chief technical analyst of TSPFundTrading.com. Dr. Dillon holds master's and doctoral degrees in Geology and Geophysics from the Missouri University of Science & Technology. He worked for a major oil company and later spent 15 years with the U.S. Geological Survey. He has more than 30 years of experience trading and analyzing the financial markets, with a focus on technical analysis and disciplined risk management.

    Dr. Dillon's scientific background, combined with decades of market experience, has shaped his analytical approach to market behavior. He has studied and tested a wide range of technical trading methods and has experienced many different market environments. While technology and trading platforms have changed dramatically over the years, the core principles of technical analysis remain rooted in price, time, trend, risk, and investor psychology.

    Trading signals may also be provided on a contractual basis to Registered Investment Advisors who manage assets on behalf of their clients.

    What is your privacy policy?

    Our company is committed to protecting your privacy while using our site. This is explained in detail on our Privacy Policy page.

    Does your company offer any free trial periods?

    We do not currently offer free trial periods. However, we do offer a full money-back guarantee within the first 48 hours after membership begins if you are unsatisfied with the service. Our methodology is designed for disciplined, long-term participation and should not be viewed as a get-rich-quick approach. Successful use of the service requires patience, consistency, and an understanding that no investment strategy is perfect.

    Will your company manage my account?

    No. We do not manage personal TSP accounts for members. Members remain responsible for logging into their own TSP accounts and making any allocation changes they choose to make.

    After I become a member, will I receive confirmation?

    Yes. Once your membership has been processed and approved, you will receive a confirmation email with access information for the members-only page.

    Once I become a member, can I change my email address in the future?

    Yes. To update your email address, please send an email to editor@tspfundtrading.com and include both your old and new email addresses.