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The straight scoop about FERS!

11/02/2026

A Tale of Two I Funds

I'm going to write this up in an article so that I can address it completely and show all the calculations and documentation:

Old I Fund Index used by TSP: MSCI EAFE

New I Fund Index used by TSP: MSCI ACWI IMI ex USA ex China ex Hong Kong

Comparing returns for both of them from 2003 to 2025 (Obviously neither has been used by TSP for that full time continuously because of the switchover in 2024, but I'm comparing 23 years of the old vs 23 years of the new):

Compounded Annual Growth of Old I Fund 2003-2025: 7.77%

Compounded Annual Growth of New I Fund 2003-2025: 8.44%

Source: TSP and Morgan Stanley. Article will have links to all source data. So you math people can geek out on it all. And find any errors in my calculations.

Is the new I Fund better long-term? Yes! By almost 3/4 of 1 percent!

11/02/2026

I haven't verified this data, but if it's true, I won't be mad :)

The S&P 500 was higher BOTH 6 and 12 months after every midterm election since 1950.

A 100% historical hit rate, regardless of which party held the White House.

11/02/2026

Some Recent TSP Stats

96.2% of Fersonians participate in the TSP. Meaning ~4% or about 80,000 federal employees do not contribute anything to TSP.

Only 89.4% of Fersonians put in the 5% or more to get the full match.

Post separation withdrawals and transfers out of the TSP continue to rise. From $12 billion in 2021 to $27 billion in 2025 and an estimated $31 billion in 2026. That's not surprising. I think most of us that have studied this realize the TSP is not the optimal account in retirement.

The Mutual Fund Window continues to be one of the worst received products in investing history. Out of 7,349,682 accounts, less than 10,000 accounts have used this. That is a failure rate of 99.86% if my math is right.

Approximately 50,000 people have conducted a little over $1 billion in Roth In-Plan Conversions so far in 2026. That's a lot of money! Congress will be happy about that. That's a nice chunk of change for them coming...

11/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. Y'all/You guys/Youse guys are all so sweet.

Have a great week, Fersonians!

11/01/2026

Well, it's officially been 4 years since I dropped my gear inside one of Uncle Sam's cubicle farms and signed up to get paid to stay away from that place.

In the theme of those "What I did on my summer vacation" essays we used to write out each September, here's a little of what I've been doing over the last 4 years:

A half dozen or so concerts, a couple of SHOT Shows, plenty of hockey games (both playing and watching) all over the country, teaching a few fi****ms classes, teaching dozens of retirement classes, meeting a thousand or two Fersonians, two college graduations, one engagement party, golfing from Pensacola to Petoskey, a handful of motorcycle trips, storming the field with my 77 year old mother after Carolina beat Clemson--(AT Death Valley no less!), many two hour lunches with old friends, one NBA Finals, some overlanding, some hunting trips, getting and training a lab, shooting in a few long range r***e competitions, being a guest on several podcasts, finally moving back to my beloved North Carolina, hanging with the infamous Dan Jamison, innumerable beach trips and even more innumerable naps.

That may sound boring to you guys compared to working for a living, but it suits me right down the ground.

Get out there and enjoy life, folks. You only get one of them.

10/30/2026

Hey FERSonians

Conner (Chris's Son) here taking over the account for a very special post. It is Chris's birthday today! Let's all wish him a Happy Birthday together!

10/29/2026

Many (maybe all?) of us are getting this email. You are not required to submit documents unless OPM is requesting them of you. This email is telling you to make sure you check your family members and that they are eligible to continue on FEHB. If they aren't, you need to contact OPM and have them removed immediately or face penalties.

10/29/2026

Subscriber wanted to send in a real world example of switching to a HDHP plan.

"I wanted to give you some feedback. I am head of household and carry the insurance for three children per our marital settlement agreement. I switched from Blue Cross Blue Shield basic to BCBS CareFirst high deductible in January.

We are relatively healthy aside from orthopedic injuries. I was terrified about incurring unexpected charges with a high deductible.

What I've come to realize after having to take the youngest to the pediatrician and cardiologist; my out of pocket expenses are capped. We recently took the youngest to rule out cardiac abnormalities after he was experiencing chest pain during sports. The itemized bill was over $4000. My out-of-pocket expense was capped at $490. He is fine. This was money well spent. "

As always, evaluate all the plans and see what works for your specific situation. Because there are a lot of situations out there. And no one plan is best for everyone.

10/28/2026

Another interesting fact about High Deductible Health Plans:

Once you hit your catastrophic limit, you pay NOTHING else. Not even prescriptions or doctor visit copays.

Other insurance plans may still require you to pay for prescriptions and some copays even after you've hit your limit.

Address

Box 97
Wrightsville Beach, NC
27588

Website

http://www.barfieldfinancial.com/

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