Savings for the future

Here's what to expect when the new Thrift Savings Plan system is completed

next year:

* Transactions will be processed each business day instead of once a month.

* Account balances and transactions will be processed and shown in dollar

amounts, shares and share prices, instead of in dollar amounts only.

* Federal employees will be able to do more with their accounts over the

Web, including beginning and sometimes completing a withdrawal request,

checking and updating their names and addresses, and reamortizing a loan.

* Feds will be able to allocate future contributions at any time over the

phone, on the Web or by submitting a form, instead of at agency personnel

offices only during open season.