Traditional TSP Vs Roth TSP?

From what I understand the Roth is better because you pay taxes on it up front. The Regular TSP you are taxed when you withdraw.

So picture this. Both accounts grow over time the money that grows with the Roth are not taxed when you take it out where as the growth with the Regular is.

I have a Roth that I maxed out and then additional mutual funds.

ACS Armywide offers finance classes and can explain in detail all your questions.

I know the original post is old, but I came across it so other may. Here's a quick break down for Roth vs Traditional. The is a generalization and different people may benefit from one or the other more. Roth is "after tax" dollars whereas a traditional is "pre-tax". Look at it like this...

My GROSS monthly income is $5,000. I add $500 to a traditional (could be TSP, IRA, or 401k). Now my taxable income is $4500.

Again, my income is $5000 and I add $500 to my Roth (IRA or 401k, does TSP offer a Roth?) my taxable income is still $5000.

A couple pros and cons... (And again this is in general and there's more to it)

Traditional - when I take money out at retirement (59.5) it's taxed as ordinary income. Roth will come out tax-free.

At 70.5, you MUST take your Required Minimum Distributon (RMD). So Uncle Sam says you have to take $X out each year and pay taxes on it. With a Roth, there's no RMD.

Each person is different. But most people are now contributing to a Roth, especially if you are younger. For military who plan on retiring, in my opinion I would recommend a Roth.

Think about this..
You retire at 45. Start a second career. You retire again at 65ish. You have Social Security (don't start that debate please) and your pension. You're already going to be in the 25%+ bracket. Now you will be paying 25% on your withdraws. Many people do not even need to make withdraws, but you're battling your RMD.