MilPayLabPension by years of service for E-7
Monthly retired pay in 2026 dollars if you retire at each year of service. Your selection is highlighted.
| Years | High-3 average | High-3 pension | BRS pension |
|---|
How it works
Both systems start from your High-3 average: the mean of your highest 36 months of basic pay, which for most members is the last three years. The calculator builds those 36 months from the 2026 DFAS pay table, stepping up as you pass each years-of-service milestone. It then applies each system's multiplier.
High-3 pension = 2.5% × years of service × High-3 average (max 100%)
BRS pension = 2.0% × years of service × High-3 average (max 80%)
Lifetime total = Σ years [monthly pension × 12 × (1 + COLA)^year]
Break-even TSP value = present value of (High-3 − BRS) payments at your return rate
- High-3 (2.5% × years)
- BRS (2.0% × years)
Pay: 2026 DFAS pay table (High-3 average). Formula: 10 U.S.C. § 1409. COLA is an assumption.
Example
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Frequently asked questions
How is High-3 military retirement pay calculated?
Retired pay equals 2.5% times your years of service times the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. At 20 years that is 50% of your High-3 average, rising to 75% at 30 years and up to 100% at 40 years.
How is BRS retirement pay calculated?
The Blended Retirement System uses a 2.0% multiplier instead of 2.5%, so 20 years pays 40% of your High-3 average. In exchange, BRS adds up to 5% of basic pay to your TSP each month and a one-time continuation pay bonus mid-career.
Who is under High-3 and who is under BRS?
Members who joined on or after January 1, 2018 are automatically under BRS. Members who joined before then stayed under High-3 unless they opted into BRS during the 2018 opt-in window.
Is military retired pay taxable?
Military retired pay is subject to federal income tax. Many states exempt it fully or partly. Retired pay also receives an annual cost-of-living adjustment based on inflation.
Do I get a pension if I leave before 20 years?
Active duty members generally need 20 years of service to receive retired pay under either system. Under BRS, members who leave earlier still keep their TSP balance, including the vested government contributions.
MilPayLab is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Defense, DFAS or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Estimates use 2026 pay tables in today's dollars and assume the same rank for your last three years. They do not include the BRS lump-sum option, continuation pay, Survivor Benefit Plan premiums, taxes, reserve component retirement, disability retirement or VA offsets. This is not financial advice; use DoD's official calculators and your finance office for decisions. Nothing you enter on this page is stored or sent anywhere.