The number of Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participants with seven-figure account balances continues to rise, underscoring the impact of long-term participation and sustained market growth on federal retirement savings. As of January 1, 2026, a record 194,722 TSP account holders reported balances of $1 million or more. The largest individual balance tracked was just under $9.96 million.
TSP Account Balance Distribution (Year-End 2025)
According to the TSP’s most recent quarterly investor report, account balances as of December 31, 2025, fell into the following ranges:
- $1,000,000 or more: 194,722 participants
- $750,000 – $999,999: 136,594 participants
- $500,000 – $749,999: approximately 267,000 participants
- $250,000 – $499,999: approximately 617,000 participants
These figures include both current and former federal and military employees who have retained their TSP accounts after leaving service.
Growth in TSP Millionaires: 2020–2025
The increase in million-dollar TSP accounts over the past five years has been notable. The number of participants reaching the $1 million threshold fluctuated with market conditions but trended sharply higher overall:
- December 2020: 75,420
- December 2021: 112,880
- December 2022: 76,889
- December 2023: 116,827
- December 2025: 194,722
From 2020 to 2025, the TSP millionaire population grew by 119,302 participants, representing an increase of approximately 158% over five years. Despite periods of market volatility, long-term participation and recovery in equity markets helped drive balances higher.
What’s Behind the Growth
Several factors have contributed to the rising number of TSP millionaires:
- Equity market performance: Strong gains in the TSP’s stock-based funds, which track broad market indexes, played a key role in boosting account balances.
- Length of participation: Many participants reaching seven figures have contributed consistently for decades, benefiting from compounding and automatic contributions.
- Pipeline of near-million balances: With more than 136,000 participants holding between $750,000 and $999,999, another wave of TSP millionaires may emerge in the coming years.
Why This Matters
Reaching a million-dollar balance is a significant milestone, but retirement professionals emphasize that the broader takeaway is the value of consistency, diversification, and time in the market. The steady growth in high-balance TSP accounts illustrates how disciplined participation in the plan’s low-cost investment options can translate into substantial long-term retirement assets.
Federal employees and retirees who want to review how their TSP allocation aligns with their retirement goals may benefit from a personalized analysis with a Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®).
