About the Military Retirement Calculator
This military retirement calculator estimates the monthly retired pay you earn after 20 or more years of active service, under either the legacy High-36 system or the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Enter your High-36 — the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay — and your years of service; the calculator applies the multiplier, compares both systems and estimates the lifetime value of the pension with cost-of-living adjustments.
It is built for service members weighing a 20-year career against getting out, families planning post-retirement budgets, and BRS members who want to see how much the Thrift Savings Plan match adds. Under High-36 each year of service is worth 2.5% of High-36; under BRS it is 2.0%, but the government adds an automatic 1% of basic pay to your TSP and matches up to another 4% when you contribute 5%.
Multipliers follow 10 U.S.C. 1409 and the TSP rules follow 5 U.S.C. 8432 and 8440e: the automatic 1% runs through 26 years of service and matching begins after two years of service. The estimate excludes the BRS lump-sum option, continuation pay, REDUX, Survivor Benefit Plan premiums, disability pay and taxes, and assumes a regular active-duty retirement (reserve retirees are paid from age 60 using points).
With the default inputs, the monthly retired pay (gross) is $3,000.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the military retirement calculator
- 1Choose your retirement system — BRS if you entered on or after January 1, 2018 or opted in.
- 2Enter your expected High-36 average monthly basic pay.
- 3Enter your years of service at retirement (20 or more for regular retirement).
- 4Add your retirement age, planning age and an assumed COLA for the lifetime value.
- 5Enter your TSP contribution rate and average pay to project your TSP balance.
Formula and method
Monthly retired pay is your High-36 (the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay) times a multiplier of 2.5% per year of service under the legacy system or 2.0% per year under BRS. Partial years count in months, so 20 years and 6 months gives 51.25% under High-36 or 41% under BRS. Lifetime value adds each year’s pay from retirement to your planning age, increased by the assumed COLA.
Under BRS the government contributes an automatic 1% of basic pay to the TSP and, from the start of your third year, matches your own contributions dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% of pay and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%, through 26 years of service. The projection credits each year’s contributions at year-end and grows the balance at your assumed return.
- High-36
- Average of the highest 36 months of basic pay
- c
- Your TSP contribution rate (% of basic pay)
Worked examples
BRS, 20 years, $7,500 High-36
Under BRS, 20 years × 2% = 40% of $7,500, or $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year); High-36 would pay $3,750. Contributing 5% of $5,500 a month for 20 years ($66,000) plus the automatic 1% and, from year 3, the 4% match ($60,720 from the government) grows to about $227,262 at 6%.
High-36, 24 years, $9,000 High-36
Under the legacy system each year is worth 2.5%, so 24 years earns 60% of $9,000 = $5,400 a month. BRS would pay 48%, or $4,320. Legacy High-36 members receive no government TSP contributions.
Lifetime value: BRS, 22 years, 0% COLA to age 80
22 years × 2% = 44% of $8,000, or $3,520 a month. Over 40 years of retirement without COLAs that is $42,240 × 40 = $1,689,600 in nominal retired pay.
Frequently asked questions
How is military retired pay calculated?+
Retired pay equals your High-36 average basic pay multiplied by 2.5% per year of service under the legacy system, or 2.0% per year under the Blended Retirement System. A 20-year retiree receives 50% (legacy) or 40% (BRS) of High-36.
What is the Blended Retirement System?+
BRS applies to members who entered service on or after January 1, 2018, and to those who opted in during 2018. It pairs a smaller 2.0% pension multiplier with automatic and matching TSP contributions of up to 5% of basic pay, plus mid-career continuation pay.
How does the BRS TSP match work?+
The government contributes 1% of basic pay automatically. Starting after two years of service it matches your first 3% dollar for dollar and the next 2% at 50 cents per dollar, so contributing 5% earns a total of 5% from the government, through 26 years of service.
Do I need 20 years to get military retirement?+
Yes, for regular active-duty retired pay you need at least 20 years of service. Under BRS you keep your TSP balance, including vested government contributions, even if you leave before 20 years. Medical retirement and TERA have separate rules.
Is military retired pay taxable?+
Military retired pay is subject to federal income tax, and many states fully or partly exempt it. VA disability compensation is tax-free; concurrent receipt (CRDP) or a VA waiver can affect how much retired pay you receive.
What is the BRS lump-sum option?+
At retirement BRS members may take a lump sum of 25% or 50% of the discounted value of their retired pay until full Social Security age, in exchange for reduced monthly pay until that age, when full pay is restored.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.