As interest in sustainable investing grows, many of our Feds have asked how they can align their retirement savings with their personal values. For those who prioritize environmental and ethical concerns, building a green retirement portfolio may be an appealing option. This approach focuses on structuring investments to support sustainability and ethical practices while also aiming to achieve long-term financial goals.
In 2022, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) introduced the mutual fund window, giving participants access to thousands of mutual funds, including some that incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. While green Thrift Savings Plan options come with certain limitations and additional fees, they represent a step toward reaching these objectives. Beyond the TSP, there are also broader opportunities to explore ESG-focused investments through other retirement savings strategies. Let’s explore the details further.
Understanding ESG Investing
ESG investing is an approach that evaluates potential investments based on factors beyond traditional financial metrics. Key considerations include:
- Environmental factors: Sustainability efforts such as reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy, or protecting natural resources.
- Social impact: Commitment to workplace equity, community engagement, or human rights.
- Governance practices: Ethical corporate practices, transparent decision-making, and responsible leadership.
There are several potential benefits to choosing ESG investments. First, they may allow you to align your investments with causes that matter to you. Second, despite potential concerns about the performance of ESG investments compared to traditional investment options, some studies show positive results. Companies with strong ESG practices may deliver competitive returns by managing risks effectively and capitalizing on global sustainability trends. Finally, ESG investing may enable you to support broader environmental and social efforts, such as funding renewable energy projects or promoting ethical business practices, creating a meaningful global impact.
ESG Investing Options for Federal Employees
Within the confines of the Thrift Savings Plan, ESG investing for federal employees is currently quite limited. The core TSP funds (G, F, C, S, and I) do not include any ESG screening or filters. However, the TSP’s mutual fund window provides access to some ESG-focused mutual funds.
That being said, participants are only allowed to invest up to 25% of their total TSP balance in the mutual fund window, with the remaining 75% having to be invested in the TSP’s core funds (G, F, C, S, and I). The mutual fund window also includes a $55 annual administrative fee, a $95 annual maintenance fee, and a cost of $28.75 per trade. These costs and limitations may make the mutual fund window less appealing to many Feds.
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Exploring Sustainable Options Beyond TSP
For those seeking greater flexibility in sustainable investing, it may be worth exploring options beyond the TSP. Opening an individual retirement account (IRA) allows you to select mutual funds and ETFs with strong ESG principles, offering more customization than the TSP.
Those over 59½ can pursue an “in-service rollover” from the TSP into an IRA, allowing access to ESG funds while maintaining control over your portfolio. A wider selection of sustainable mutual funds and ETFs may help your portfolio align with your values while also increasing diversification, which can reduce risk and support long-term growth.
Steps to Build a Green Retirement Portfolio
Building a green portfolio requires thoughtful planning and research. These key steps can help you get started.
- Assess Your Current Investments
Start by reviewing your existing portfolio to determine its environmental, social, and governance impact. Identify areas where you can adjust or replace investments to better align with your sustainability goals.
- Research ESG-Focused Funds
Look for funds with a strong commitment to ESG principles, using tools like fund fact sheets and independent ratings to assess their sustainability credentials. Evaluate the fund's performance and its alignment with your values to help ensure it meets both your financial and ethical objectives.
- Diversify for Impact and Resilience
Diversifying investments across industries and asset classes may help reduce risk. For example, you might consider a mix of ESG-focused mutual funds investing in renewable energy, ETFs targeting technology companies with strong governance practices, and other investment types that support sustainability across various sectors.
- Partner with a Trusted Financial Advisor
Working with a knowledgeable advisor can simplify the process of building a green portfolio. At Serving Those Who Serve (STWS), we specialize in helping federal employees create personalized strategies that reflect their goals and values, and we're committed to aligning your portfolio with what matters most to you. If you’re interested in sustainable investing, STWS offers ESG alternative models tailored to meet your needs. If you’re ready to explore your options, our team is here to help. Connect with us at [email protected] to get started.
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
