librarians without borders

Geezer Tales

Have a look at http://tsp.gov -- that's the web site for the Federal Thrift Savings Plan -- the plan that federal employees including members of Congress have.

Click on the link for "Returns" and then the link for "Historical Returns."

G = government securities
F = fixed income
C = stock index funds (large cap)
S = small cap
I = international

G, F, C, S and I refer to the actual funds that are available to participants.

If you're not well on your way to geezer-dom, write to your representatives in Congress and tell them that you'd like to be able to do what they are able to do. (If you are well on your way to geezer-dom -- or if you've already arrived -- forward this to your favorite, young head-full-of-mush.)

Now, don't bother to write back and say that this is just a 10 year period. For any 35 year period you choose between 1870 and now --- any period --- you'll find the stock market returned over 6%.

Go ahead and look. We double-dog dare you,

Figaro & Susanna