Question about TSP calc

[cswift01]

Dear all,

Allow me to begin by apologizing if this discussion has already been made. I haven't seen it yet, therefore I'm posting this point.

I have thought about the data points that are included in the TSP calc setup. They go from 2004 through 2017. That would be the middle to latter half of one business cycle (2004-7) and one (almost) full business cycle (2008-2017). Given this data, wouldn't it mean that the calculations would be more focused on middle and latter business cyclical behavior (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/businesscycle.asp)?

Usually the latter end of a cycle favors the C Fund (e.g. 2017 or now) and the beginnings favor the S Fund (e.g. 2009-10).

Another quick note. I'm a big fan of this setup. I'm presently following 15535 (with a few deviations). This is not criticism, just a question.

Thanks,

Me

[Sad Al]

It looks like your question is about the range of dates available. TSP Calc begins with 2004 because of the data that is available from TSP on a daily basis only goes back to late 2003. If you want to adjust the calculations to begin at a later date, or end earlier than 2017, you can change the years of consideration to limit it, but you can't expand it further back than 2004. As additional data is added, you may be able to capture an entire business cycle, but not until a full cycle is completed.