Military TSP Match Calculator
Calculate TSP matching contributions under the Blended Retirement System.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: DFAS
DoD Match
$2,400.00
Total Annual
$4,800.00
TSP Match Schedule
| Your Contribution (5.00%) | $2,400.00 |
| Auto 1% (DoD) | $480.00 |
| Dollar-for-Dollar (first 3%) | $1,440.00 |
| $0.50 per $1 (4-5%) | $480.00 |
| Total DoD Match | $2,400.00 |
Use the Military TSP Match 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
Service members under the Blended Retirement System (BRS) can pick up a substantial boost to their retirement savings through government matching contributions, and this tool shows you how much of that benefit you stand to capture. Because matched dollars compound for years before you ever touch them, even a modest paycheck contribution can grow into a meaningful balance over a career. For 2026, the BRS match continues to be one of the strongest financial perks available to people in uniform.
Two separate streams feed your account. The Department of Defense (DoD) deposits an automatic 1% of your basic pay once you pass 60 days of service, whether or not you put in a cent of your own. On top of that, the DoD matches your own contributions dollar-for-dollar up to the first 3% of basic pay, then adds 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% of basic pay. Together those pieces reach a maximum total match of 5%.
Contribute below the level needed to earn that full 5% and you simply forfeit money the government would otherwise hand you. There is also a two-year vesting window on the matched funds: leave the service before completing two years and you lose them. One more distinction worth knowing is that Roth and Traditional TSP contributions are taxed differently, but the match itself always lands in the Traditional TSP no matter which one you fund.
Example: E-5 with 6 years of service in 2026
- 1 An E-5 with 6 years of service in 2026 has a basic pay of $3,700 per month. They decide to contribute 5% of their basic pay to their TSP account each month.
- 2 Automatic 1% contribution: $3,700 * 0.01 = $37.00. Matching contribution (first 3%): $3,700 * 0.03 = $111.00 (DoD matches dollar-for-dollar). Matching contribution (next 2%): $3,700 * 0.02 = $74.00 (DoD matches 50 cents on the dollar, so $74.00 * 0.50 = $37.00).
- 3 Total monthly DoD TSP matching contributions: $37.00 (automatic) + $111.00 (3% match) + $37.00 (2% match) = $185.00.
- 4 Over a year, this E-5 receives $2,220 in free money from the DoD for their retirement. This highlights the importance of contributing at least 5% to maximize your BRS matching benefits.
Source: DFAS · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How does TSP matching work under BRS?
When do TSP matching contributions vest?
Should I contribute more than 5% to my TSP?
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