MilPayLabYear-by-year projection
| Age at year end | Service year | You | Government | End balance |
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How it works
Each month the calculator adds your contribution (a percentage of basic pay), the government's contributions if you're under BRS, and one month of growth at your expected return. Basic pay rises once a year by your raise assumption. Contributions stop when you leave the military; the balance keeps growing until the age you choose.
Government (BRS) = 1% automatic (after 60 days)
+ 100% × first 3% you contribute + 50% × next 2% (after 2 years)
both end at 26 years of service
Your yearly contributions capped at $24,500 (+ $8,000 age 50+, $11,250 ages 60–63)
Balance(next month) = Balance × (1 + return)^(1/12) + contributions
Example
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Frequently asked questions
How does the BRS TSP match work?
Under the Blended Retirement System, your service puts in an automatic 1% of basic pay after 60 days of service. After 2 years of service it also matches your contributions: dollar for dollar on the first 3% of basic pay and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%. Contributing 5% gets the full 5% from the government. Both end when you complete 26 years of service.
What are the 2026 TSP contribution limits?
For 2026 you can contribute up to $24,500 in elective deferrals. Participants age 50 or older can add up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions, or $11,250 if they turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2026. Total additions, including government contributions and tax-exempt combat zone contributions, are capped at $72,000.
What happens if I hit the TSP limit early in the year?
Your contributions stop for the rest of the year, and under BRS the matching contributions stop too, because the match only applies when you contribute. Spreading contributions evenly across the year keeps the full match flowing.
When am I vested in the TSP government contributions?
Matching contributions and their earnings are yours immediately. The automatic 1% contributions vest after you complete 2 years of service.
Do Legacy High-3 members get TSP matching?
No. Members who stayed under the legacy High-3 retirement system can contribute to the TSP but do not receive the automatic 1% or matching contributions.
MilPayLab is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the TSP, the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs. This projection uses constant assumptions you choose and 2026 contribution limits held flat in future years; real returns vary and can be negative, and fees, taxes, inflation and future limit changes are not modeled. It is an educational estimate, not investment advice. Nothing you enter on this page is stored or sent anywhere.