Blended Retirement Calculator

Compare military Blended Retirement System (BRS) vs legacy High-3 pension.
$
$

Legacy Pension

$3,750.00

BRS Total

$3,833.33

Comparison

Legacy (50.00%)$3,750.00
BRS Pension (40.00%)$3,000.00
TSP Drawdown (20yr)$833.33
BRS Total Monthly$3,833.33

Use the Blended Retirement Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

This calculator helps you compare the financial outcomes of the military's Blended Retirement System (BRS) versus the legacy High-3 pension. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed career and financial decisions, especially as incentive pay for BRS members is projected to remain at 2.5% in 2026.

The calculator will project your retirement income based on your service length, pay grade, and chosen system. For BRS, it incorporates a 1% government contribution to your TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) and a 4% matching contribution, along with a 2.5% Continuation Pay (CP) at 12 years of service. For High-3, it calculates 2.5% of your average highest 36 months of basic pay for each year of service.

A common mistake is underestimating the power of compounding in the TSP for BRS. Actively contributing to your TSP, especially to maximize the government match, significantly impacts BRS outcomes. Also, remember that these are projections; actual investment returns and future pay raises can vary.

Example: E-7, 20 Years Service

  1. 1 Input: Pay Grade: E-7, Years of Service: 20, Annual TSP Contribution (BRS only): 5% of basic pay (to maximize match).
  2. 2 Calculation: BRS will show a 2.5% Continuation Pay at 12 years, plus TSP growth (assuming a 7% annual return) and a smaller pension (2% per year of service). High-3 will show a pension of 50% (2.5% * 20) of the average of the highest 36 months of basic pay.
  3. 3 Result: BRS might show a lower pension but a significant TSP balance, while High-3 will show a higher guaranteed pension without a separate investment component.
  4. 4 Context: This comparison highlights the trade-off between a guaranteed pension (High-3) and a hybrid system with investment potential (BRS). For this E-7, the BRS TSP balance could provide substantial additional retirement income, depending on investment performance and personal contributions.

Source: DFAS · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Blended Retirement System?
The BRS combines a reduced pension (2.0% per year of service versus the legacy 2.5%) with automatic and matching TSP contributions (up to 5% government match). It benefits members who serve fewer than 20 years since they keep TSP contributions.
Is the legacy High-3 or BRS better for me?
If you are confident you will serve 20+ years, the legacy High-3 system provides a larger pension. If there is a reasonable chance you will separate before 20 years, BRS is better because you keep the TSP match. Most financial advisors recommend BRS for this flexibility.
What is the continuation pay in BRS?
Continuation pay is a one-time bonus offered between 8 and 12 years of service in exchange for committing to additional service. The amount is 2.5 to 13 times your monthly base pay, depending on your service branch and specialty.

You might also need

Military Pay Calculator

Calculate total military compensation including base pay, BAH, and BAS by rank and years of service.

VA Disability Rating Calculator (Combined)

Calculate combined VA disability rating from multiple conditions using the bilateral factor method.

GI Bill Calculator

Estimate Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits including tuition coverage, housing allowance, and book stipend.