Library

The Variplan Library contains copies of articles, papers and other original materials produced by Variplan which you may find useful.

Please enter a key word, letter or phrase below to search the archive and retrieve documents containing your entry.

Articles:

• The Keys to TSP Success – 02/15/2020
• Common Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid – 11/17/2019
• Synthesizing a Selective TSP Withdrawal – 10/27/2019
• Don’t Expect Your Long-Term Care Insurance to Pay – 09/16/2019
• Think Carefully Before You Prepay That Mortgage – 08/06/2019
• Don’t Forget About Inflation – 04/16/2019
• Accounting for TSP Distributions – 02/13/2019
• When NOT to Contribute to the TSP – 11/12/2018
• L Funds Change Misses the Mark – 10/14/2018
• The 7 Attributes of a Good Investment Portfolio – 09/01/2018
• The TSP’s Funds are Your Best Choice – 08/29/2018
• Five Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor – 06/29/2018
• Handling Market Volatility – 04/16/2018
• Maintain a Disciplined Approach to Managing Your TSP Account – 02/01/2018
• Balancing Risk – 11/01/2017
• TSP Lump-Sum Withdrawals – 10/01/2017
• Finding the Best TSP Strategy – 09/01/2017
• Is the G Fund Safe? – 08/14/2017
• The Value of the FERS Annuity COLA – 06/12/2017
• The Value of Indifference – 05/08/2017
• Ignore Your TSP Account’s Personal Rate of Return – 02/13/2017
• Investing for the Trump Presidency – 12/05/2016
• Wells Fargo and You – 11/07/2016
• Trump, Interest Rates, and Your TSP Account – 10/01/2016
• Life Insurance Tips – 09/12/2016
• Long-Term Care Insurance – What to Do? – 08/08/2016
• Don’t Fall for TSP Timing Advice – 08/08/2016
• The Fight for Your TSP Account Continues – 06/13/2016
• Caveat Emptor the 4 Percent Rule – 05/09/2016
• Partial Lump Sum TSP Withdrawals – 04/11/2016
• How to Take a Selective Withdrawal Your TSP Account – 03/14/2016
• Retirement Investing is a Marathon (Not a Sprint) – 02/08/2016
• Diversification is Essential to TSP Success – 01/11/2016
• Pay Attention to the Big Stuff – 12/07/2015
• The War Over Your TSP Account – 11/09/2015
• The Dollar Cost Averaging Myth – 10/05/2015
• Dealing with Market Volatility – 09/14/2015
• TSP: Don’t Speculate – Navigate. – 08/10/2015
• Traditional Versus Roth TSP Contributions – 07/06/2015
• The Value of the TSP’s Low Investment Costs – 06/08/2015
• Asset Allocation and Hedging in the TSP – 05/11/2015
• A Misguided Proposal – 04/06/2015
• More Investing Mistakes to Avoid – 03/09/2015
• Investing Mistakes to Avoid – 02/09/2015
• There Are Foxes in the Henhouse – 01/01/2015
• The Characteristics of a Good Investment Portfolio – 11/17/2014
• Don’t Let Rational Fear Lead to Irrational Action – 10/27/2014
• Why Market Timing is a Sucker’s Bet – 10/06/2014
• It’s Time to Face the Truth About FERS – 09/08/2014
• The Ideal TSP Allocation – 08/11/2014
• The Value of Patience in Investing – 07/14/2014
• What TSP Investors Should Worry About – 06/09/2014
• Investment Advice You Can Trust – 05/05/2014
• Investing is Hard, and a Lifetime Job – 04/07/2014
• The TSP’s Funds Are Hard to Beat – 03/10/2014
• The Reason to Hold the F Fund – 02/10/2014
• The Four Keys to TSP Success – 12/13/2013
• Focus On The Future, Not The Past – 11/18/2013
• Tapping TSP Before 59 ½ – 11/04/2013
• A Trust Test For TSP ‘Advisers’ – 10/07/2013
• New TSP Calculator, Same Old Problems – 09/23/2013
• Navigating Bias Toward TSP Stocks, Against Bonds – 08/05/2013
• Understanding Risk – 08/05/2013
• Trying to Time the Market is Always a Bad Strategy – 06/10/2013
• How to Be a Good Pension Fund Manager – 05/20/2013
• Furlough Probably Wouldn’t Harm Retirement Savings Much – 05/04/2013
• Keep Bonds in Your Portfolio to Guard Against Stock Losses – 04/29/2013
• When Unexpected Bills Upset Your Plans – 04/01/2013
• Don’t Overlook TSP for Lowest-Cost Investment – 02/04/2013
• TSP Offers Good Balance of Investment Options – 12/10/2012
• Two Ways to Diversify and Reduce Investment Risk – 11/26/2012
• ‘Seat of the Pants’ Investing is a Big Mistake – 10/22/2012
• Two Ways to Fail With TSP and One Way to Succeed – 10/08/2012
• A Good Time to Replace Some F Fund with G Fund – 09/24/2012
• Four Methods to Help Portfolios Beat Expectations – 09/10/2012
• Readers’ Questions Show Early-Out, TSP Concerns – 08/20/2012
• Professional Liability Insurance Can Help Protect Savings – 08/06/2012
• There are No Certainties in Retirement Planning – 07/16/2012
• Prepare Now for Possible Hike in Pension Contribution – 06/25/2012
• Disability Insurance Could Help Stem Financial Losses – 06/11/2012
• Avoid Common Mistakes to Optimize Retirement Income – 05/07/2012
• No ‘Magic Number’ Target for Retirement Savings – 04/16/2012
• Financial Checkups: Once is Not Enough – 03/19/2012
• An Early Look at TSP’s Roth Option – 02/20/2012
• Buyout or Keep Working: You Must Weigh Both ‘Deals’ – 01/23/2012
• Invest in All TSP Funds to Hedge Against Risk – 12/12/2011
• Ideas That Can Boost Your Retirement Income – 11/28/2011
• Find the Right Insurance to Fit Your Financial Plan – 11/07/2011
• F Fund Investors Should Move Some Funds to G Fund – 10/24/2011
• Inflation-Adjusted Life Annuity a Valuable Option – 10/10/2011
• Managing Your Pension Fund Can Seem Like a Full-Time Gig – 09/20/2011
• How to Avoid TSP Early Withdrawal Penalty – 09/12/2011
• Managing TSP On Fear Usually Results in Loss – 08/22/2011
• Small Changes in Retirement May Have Big Effect on Some – 08/08/2011
• To Plan for Retirement, Estimate Your Spending Needs – 07/18/2011
• How Deficit-Cutting Plans Could Affect You – 06/27/2011
• Manage Risk Wisely by Rebalancing Accounts – 06/13/2011
• How Much Long-Term Care Insurance Should You Buy? – 05/23/2011
• Retirement Calculator Has Limited Value – 05/09/2011
• Set Your Withholding to Fit Your April Needs – 03/21/2011
• Too Many Workers Focus on One Aspect of Retirement – 02/21/2011
• L Fund May Prove Conservative in Planning Early Retirement – 01/24/2011
• Planning Ahead is Best Way to Avoid Unacceptable Risk – 12/13/2010
• Make the Most of Your TSP for 2010 Retirement Savings – 12/07/2010
• It’s About How Much You Save, Not Where You Save It – 11/29/2010
• Buy-And-Hold Strategy May Undercut Investment Goals – 11/08/2010
• Federal Long-Term Care Plan Should Be Top Option – 10/25/2010
• Reduce Risk by Diversifying Your TSP Investment – 10/11/2010
• Diversifying Can Help You Get the Most From Your Investments – 09/27/2010
• A Little Risk Can Help in the Long Run – 09/13/2010
• Irrational Behaviors Investors Should Avoid – 08/23/2010
• Use TSP Calculators at Your Own Risk – 08/09/2010
• Ponzi Schemes, Other Scams Target Federal Employees – 07/19/2010
• Know the Odds to Get the Upper Hand in Managing Fund – 06/28/2010
• Carrying Mortgage into Retirement Can Pay Off – 06/14/2010
• Take a Lesson from the Gulf Oil Spill: Manage Risk Wisely – 05/31/2010
• Keep a Balance Between Risk, Return – 05/17/2010
• TSP’s G Fund Has Unique Benefits – 05/03/2010
• Be Cautious When Stock Prices Rise – 04/05/2010
• Make Use of All Five TSP Fund – 03/08/2010
• ‘Lost Decade’ Lesson: Diversification – 02/08/2010
• Odds Favor Gains in Market – 01/11/2010
• Make the Most of Your TSP for 2010 Retirement Savings – 12/07/2009
• How Well Are you Managing Your TSP Account? – 11/23/2009
• Comparing Long-Term Care Plan – 11/09/2009
• Count On Skill, Not Luck – 10/26/2009
• New Long-Term Care Plan Offers Improved Benefits – 10/12/2009
• Can Your Savings Support Early Retirement? – 09/28/2009
• Shedding Some Light on Little-Understood L Funds – 09/14/2009
• Now’s the Time to be Aggressive – 08/24/2009
• Understanding TSP Annuities – 08/10/2009
• As Stocks Climb, Be Wary – 07/29/2009
• Mistakes to Avoid – 07/13/2009
• The Case for Index Funds – 06/22/2009
• Long-Term Care Policy Tips – 06/08/2009
• The Long-Term Care Dilemma – 05/25/2009
• Refinancing Your Mortgage May Protect Retirement Plan – 05/11/2009
• Dollar Cost Averaging and TSP – 04/27/2009
• Changes Ahead for Federal Long-Term Care – 04/13/2009
• Don’t Miss the Rebound – 03/30/2009
• The L Funds’ Drawback – 03/09/2009
• Exceptions to TSP’s 59½ Rule – 02/23/2009
• Check Life Insurance Plan – 02/02/2009
• Keep Lessons of 2008 in Mind – 01/12/2009
• Follow Strategy, Not Emotions – 12/27/2008
• Keep Investment Expectations Real – 12/22/2008
• Beware IRA Promotions – 12/13/2008
• Focus on Long-Term Goal – 12/01/2008
• Estimating Future Returns – 11/10/2008
• More Questions for an Adviser – 10/18/2008
• Expect Ups – And Downs – 09/29/2008
• Fear, Greed Trip Up Investors – 09/15/2008
• Voluntary CSRS Contributions Pay Off for Some – 07/21/2008
• Choose Long-Term Care Options – 07/07/2008
• Consider Long-Term Care Insurance – 06/16/2008
• ‘Roth’ Option Causes Confusion – 06/02/2008
• Change TSP Strategy Near Retirement – 05/19/2008
• Market is Not the Problem – 05/05/2008
• TSP Trade Limit is Wrong Move – 04/21/2008
• Choose TSP Strategy Wisely – 04/07/2008
• Choose TSP Strategy Wisely – 04/07/2008
• Use TSP Transfers Wisely – 03/24/2008
• Manage Your Pension Fund – 03/10/2008
• L Funds Have Drawbacks – 02/25/2008
• How to Improve Your After-Tax Results – 02/11/2008
• Market, TSP Declines Highlight Investment Risks – 01/28/2008
• TSP Limit is Wrong Approach – 12/17/2007
• TSP Limit is Wrong Approach – 12/17/2007
• Take Care in Planning for Your Early Retirement – 12/03/2007
• Coordinate Financial Investment Plans With Pros – 12/03/2007
• TSP Rollovers: Be Skeptical – 11/05/2007
• Setting the Record Straight – 10/22/2007
• Assess Retirement Income – 10/08/2007
• Tracking TSP Investments – 09/17/2007
• Tracking TSP Investments – 09/17/2007
• Timing is a Fool’s Game – 09/03/2007
• Calculating Early TSP Withdrawals Can Be Tricky – 08/20/2007
• Avoid TSP Withdrawal Penalty – 07/23/2007
• Retirement Planning Calculator is Disappointing – 06/18/2007
• One Year to Go: Plan How You’ll Take TSP Withdrawals – 06/04/2007
• Five Years to Go: Ensure Your TSP Balance Will Cover Withdrawal Needs – 06/04/2007
• When TSP Withdrawals Hurt – 05/28/2007
• Active Investment Management is Loser’s Game – 05/14/2007
• Active Investment Management is Loser’s Game – 05/14/2007
• An Annuity That is Worth a Look – 04/30/2007
• Investment Objectives Change Over Time – 04/09/2007
• Roth IRA vs. TSP: Pay Tax Now or Pay Tax Later – 03/12/2007
• Can You Afford to Retire? – 02/26/2007
• Risk Plays a Key Role in Retirement Planning – 02/26/2007
• Adding TSP Options: Be Careful What You Wish For – 02/12/2007
• How to Factor Inflation into Retirement Plan – 01/29/2007
• Financial Planning: Look at the Forest, Not the Trees – 01/15/2007
• Myths Are For Holiday Tales, Not Your Investments – 11/27/2006
• Hunting Down the Right Insurance – 11/06/2006
• A Few Good Reasons to Roll TSP Funds to an IRA – 10/16/2006
• Low Costs: Another Good Reason to Stick with TSP – 10/02/2006
• When Saving to Retire, Don’t Forget the Risks – 09/18/2006
• How New Law Affects Your TSP Beneficiaries – And You – 09/04/2006
• L Funds Show Value of a Diverse Portfolio – 08/21/2006
• Steer Your TSP Account to a Safe Landing – 08/07/2006
• Life Insurance or Long-Term Care? – 07/24/2006
• How Your TSP Can Work for Your New Lifestyle – 07/17/2006
• Law Helps CSRS Employees Save On Taxes – 06/26/2006
• How Does New Tax Law Affect Your Retirement Savings? – 06/12/2006
• How Pension Max Compares to Survivor Annuity – 05/29/2006
• Fine-Tuning Your TSP’s Balance of Risk, Return – 05/15/2006
• What to Expect From a Real Estate Fund in TSP – 05/01/2006
• What You Need to Know About New Long-Term Care Law – 04/17/2006
• How to Measure Investment Risk – 03/27/2006
• Not All Financial Planners Are Looking Out For You – 03/13/2006
• Early Retirees Have TSP Withdrawal Options – 02/02/2006
• Adding Funds May Not Improve TSP – 01/30/2006
• Long-Term Investors Should Look to Funds’ Future – 01/16/2006
• Invest Early, Often and Before Taxes – 12/12/2005
• TSP Boosts Retirement for FERS Employees – 12/10/2005
• Health Savings Account Can Save You Money – 11/28/2005
• It Pays to Invest Early in TSP – 10/24/2005
• TSP Boosts Retirement for FERS Employees – 10/10/2005
• Survivor Benefit a Smart Choice – 09/26/2005
• Tax-Free, Tax-Deferred Accounts – 09/05/2005
• Is Riskiest L Fund Aggressive Enough? – 08/22/2005
• Another Way to Use TSP’s New L Funds – 08/08/2005
• Another Way to Use TSP’s New L Funds – 08/08/2005
• Another Way to Use TSP’s New L Funds – 08/08/2005
• Integrating TSP in Your Total Investment Plan – 07/25/2005
• Know What to Expect from Your Investments – 06/26/2005
• Building Your Budget – 06/20/2005
• Are You Ready? Take a Realistic Look at Your Finances – 06/20/2005
• Find Your Best TSP Investment Strategy – 06/20/2005
• Market Timing Too Risky a Gamble For TSP Participants – 06/13/2005
• ‘Pension max’ May Not Be the Best Deal – 05/30/2005
• Best Way to Invest in TSP? There’s No Single Answer – 05/16/2005
• What a Real Estate Fund Would Offer – 04/25/2005
• The Pros and Cons of Rolling Your TSP Balance into an IRA – 04/11/2005
• S Fund Stocks Part of a Sound Investment Strategy – 03/21/2005
• TSP’s I Fund is Good Tool for Diversification – 03/07/2005
• How to Calculate Your Life Insurance Requirements – 02/28/2005
• Consider Risk, Cost in Professional Liability Coverage – 02/28/2005
• Disability Safety Net May Save Years of Financial Stress – 02/28/2005
• TSP is Best, But You Have Other Retirement Options – 01/31/2005
• TSP is Best, But You Have Other Retirement Options – 01/31/2005
• How Much Should You Save in Your TSP Account? – 01/17/2005
• C Fund a Wise Choice for TSP Investors – 12/13/2004
• Health Reimbursement Funds for Those Ineligible for HSAs – 11/29/2004
• Health Savings Accounts Add to Options – 11/15/2004
• TSP Annuities Can Be a Great Choice — Or Not – 11/01/2004
• TSP Annuities Can Be a Great Choice — Or Not – 11/01/2004
• How Much Should You Contribute to the TSP? – 10/18/2004
• F Fund Offers Diverse Portfolio for Bond Investors – 10/04/2004
• Direct Deposit Simplifies Savings Bond Investing – 09/20/2004
• G Fund is TSP’s Low-Risk Investment Option – 09/06/2004
• Be Prepared for Needs, Loss of Income in Case of Disability – 08/23/2004
• How Does OPM’s Plan Stack Up Against Private Plans? – 08/23/2004
• Plans Offer Different Levels of Access to Health Care – 08/23/2004
• Tailor Car Insurance to Your Needs – 08/23/2004
• Even Baseless Liability Claims Can Leave You Vulnerable – 08/23/2004
• FEGLI Offers Unique Benefits, Variety of Options – 08/23/2004
• When Buying Insurance, Basic is Best – 08/16/2004
• Weighing Your Long-Term Care Insurance Options – 08/02/2004
• A Range of TSP Withdrawal Options – 07/19/2004
• How Much Life Insurance Do You Need? – 06/28/2004
• TSP Loan Changes Raise New Questions for Borrowers – 06/14/2004