Increasing Servicemember on-base TSP enrollment
Explaining benefits of TSP during in-processing doubled the number of Servicemembers enrolling
Man sitting at desk wearing navy uniform
What was the challenge?
The Federal Government operates a workplace savings program called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for all of its employees. While civilian employees are automatically enrolled in TSP, Servicemembers are not. Roughly 58% of more than 1.3 million active duty Servicemembers in the Armed Forces are not currently enrolled in any TSP and only around 1% of non-enrolled Servicemembers newly enroll each month.
What was the program change?
At no material cost, we developed a cover sheet for the TSP Election Form that was included in required in-processing documents at Fort Myer. The cover sheet explained benefits of TSP, and prompted contribution as an active choice.
How did the evaluation work?
Briefing logistics made random assignment infeasible, so to estimate the impacts of the treatment period at Fort. Myer, TSP enrollment data was collected both at Fort Myer during the year preceding the pilot, and from three comparable forts.
What was the impact?
Based on TSP enrollment rates for Servicemembers in-processed and not already enrolled at Fort Myer, as compared to the other three forts during the pilot period, and in comparison with the same period the year prior, the evaluation doubled the number of Servicemembers enrolling in TSP.