TSP C Fund vs G Fund
The C Fund tracks the S&P 500 Index: about 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The G Fund tracks no market index: it holds special U.S. Treasury securities issued only to the TSP. From 2004 through 2025, the C Fund averaged 10.72% a year and the G Fund 2.99%, and the C Fund came out ahead in 17 of 22 years.
Side by side
| C Fund | G Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Compound average (2004–2025) | 10.72% | 2.99% |
| Best year | +32.45% (2013) | +4.93% (2006) |
| Worst year | -36.99% (2008) | +0.97% (2020) |
| Years with a loss | 3 of 22 | 0 of 22 |
| 2026 so far | +11.32% | +4.02% |
C Fund
The C Fund holds the stocks in the S&P 500, weighted by company size, so the biggest U.S. companies (large technology firms especially) drive most of its daily move.
Risk: Stock fund: higher long-term growth potential than the G or F Funds, with larger ups and downs, including losses.
C Fund detailsG Fund
The G Fund invests in short-term U.S. Treasury securities issued only to the TSP. Its interest rate is set each month from the average yield of longer-term Treasury securities, and the U.S. government guarantees payment of principal and interest.
Risk: Designed not to lose value. The trade-off is that its long-term growth may not keep up with inflation.
G Fund detailsReturns by year
| Year | C Fund | G Fund | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.85% | +4.44% | +13.40% |
| 2024 | +24.96% | +4.40% | +20.56% |
| 2023 | +26.25% | +4.22% | +22.02% |
| 2022 | -18.13% | +2.98% | -21.11% |
| 2021 | +28.68% | +1.38% | +27.30% |
| 2020 | +18.31% | +0.97% | +17.34% |
| 2019 | +31.45% | +2.24% | +29.21% |
| 2018 | -4.41% | +2.91% | -7.32% |
| 2017 | +21.82% | +2.33% | +19.50% |
| 2016 | +12.01% | +1.82% | +10.19% |
| 2015 | +1.46% | +2.04% | -0.58% |
| 2014 | +13.78% | +2.31% | +11.47% |
| 2013 | +32.45% | +1.89% | +30.56% |
| 2012 | +16.07% | +1.47% | +14.60% |
| 2011 | +2.11% | +2.45% | -0.34% |
| 2010 | +15.06% | +2.81% | +12.25% |
| 2009 | +26.68% | +2.97% | +23.70% |
| 2008 | -36.99% | +3.75% | -40.74% |
| 2007 | +5.54% | +4.87% | +0.68% |
| 2006 | +15.79% | +4.93% | +10.87% |
| 2005 | +4.96% | +4.49% | +0.46% |
| 2004 | +10.82% | +4.30% | +6.52% |
Common questions
What's the difference between the TSP C Fund and G Fund?
The C Fund tracks the S&P 500 Index: about 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The G Fund tracks no market index: it holds special U.S. Treasury securities issued only to the TSP.
Which has returned more, the C Fund or the G Fund?
From 2004 through 2025, the C Fund's compound average was 10.72% a year and the G Fund's 2.99%. The C Fund came out ahead in 17 of 22 calendar years. Past performance does not predict future returns.
See every fund's returns by year, or get the free morning briefing on what moved each fund.
Source: official TSP share prices (tsp.gov), through Monday, November 9, 2026. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Educational information, not investment advice; which funds to use is your decision.
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