The TSP Autopilot Audit

Most TSP “mistakes” aren’t big, dramatic blow-ups.

They’re defaults…

• A contribution you set once and never revisited.

• A fund mix that made sense then… but doesn’t match your life now.

• A plan that’s technically fine, but emotionally fragile.

This is a fast check to see what kind of autopilot you’re actually running.

For each prompt, pick A / B / C. Don’t overthink it.

The 7-Prompt Audit

1) Your last intentional change

A) I adjusted something within the last 12 months
B) It’s been 1–3 years
C) I genuinely don’t remember

2) Your mix awareness

A) I could roughly tell you my fund mix from memory
B) I’d need to peek at my account to be sure
C) I have no idea what I’m in

3) Your “bad year” reflex

A) I keep contributions steady
B) I’m tempted to pull back “until things calm down”
C) I move money to safety

4) Your risk posture

A) I accept volatility as the price of long-term growth
B) I want growth, but I need guardrails
C) I mainly want stability

5) Your biggest holding (best guess)

A) Mostly stock funds (C / S / I)
B) Mostly an L Fund
C) Mostly G / F

6) Your match protection

A) I’ve checked I won’t “max too early” and miss match later
B) I’m not sure how that works
C) I haven’t looked at it

7) Your rebalancing system

A) I rebalance with a rule (schedule or threshold)
B) I rebalance occasionally, usually when I remember
C) I don’t rebalance

Score It

• A = 2 points

• B = 1 point

• C = 0 points

Total (0–14):

• 11–14: Set-and-Forget (Disciplined)

• 6–10: Quietly Risky

• 0–5: Accidentally Conservative

Now the useful part: one change you can make in under 3 minutes.

Profile 1: Set-and-Forget (Disciplined)

You’re not “hands-on.” You’re intentional.

Your 3-minute move: add a tiny maintenance loop, like:

• Two check-ins per year (Jan + Jul) or,

• One rule: rebalance if any fund drifts 10%+ from your target.

Why this matters: good autopilot still needs a quick instrument scan.

Profile 2: Quietly Risky

You’re probably taking more risk than you meant to… without getting extra confidence in return.

This profile usually shows up when:

• Your mix drifted over time, or

• Your risk level is fine on paper, but not in real life during a drop.

Your 3-minute move: reduce “panic risk,” not growth.

Choose one:

• Shift 10% of your balance from your most aggressive holding into a stabiliser (G/F)

• Keep your balance as-is, but redirect future contributions into a more balanced mix (often the easiest win)

Why this matters: the problem isn’t risk. It’s surprise.

Profile 3: Accidentally Conservative

You’re protected from scary headlines… but you may be underfunding future you.

This profile is common when:

• You defaulted into safety early, or

• You got conservative after a rough market and never re-expanded.

Your 3-minute move: change the direction of your next dollars.

Pick one:

• Leave your current balance alone, but send future contributions to a growth mix (or an appropriate L Fund)

• If you can tolerate it, move 5–10% out of G/F into stocks

Why this matters: you don’t need a brave overhaul. You need a small upgrade that stays in place.

If you’re hesitant to touch your existing balance…

Adjust future contributions first.

It’s simpler, it feels safer, and it starts working immediately.

Best,
—FWR