is a tsp the same thing as a 401 k 
a tsp is not exactly the same thing as a 401 k though they are structured similarly and have the same contribution limits a tsp is what the federal government offers instead of a 401 k the type of plan offered by private employers it is possible to have both if you have worked for both a government and a private employer however the total contribution to these retirement plans cannot exceed the annual contribution limits set by the internal revenue code 8