Air Force Retirement Calculator
Estimate Your Military Pension (High-3 vs. BRS)
Estimated Retirement Pay
How Air Force Retirement Pay is Calculated
Planning for your transition from the United States Air Force requires a deep understanding of the two primary retirement systems available to Airmen. Whether you are an officer or enlisted, your pension is primarily determined by your years of active duty service and your "High-3" average basic pay.
The Legacy High-3 System
The Legacy High-3 system is available to Airmen who entered service before January 1, 2018, and did not opt into the Blended Retirement System. The formula is straightforward:
2.5% x Years of Service x Average of highest 36 months of basic pay
For example, an Airman retiring at 20 years would receive 50% of their High-3 average monthly basic pay (2.5% * 20 = 50%).
The Blended Retirement System (BRS)
The BRS applies to all Airmen who entered service on or after January 1, 2018, and those who opted in. While the pension multiplier is lower, it includes a matching TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) component and Continuation Pay.
2.0% x Years of Service x Average of highest 36 months of basic pay
Under BRS, an Airman retiring at 20 years receives 40% of their High-3 average monthly basic pay (2.0% * 20 = 40%).
Key Factors to Consider
- Years of Service: Only whole years and completed months count toward your retirement multiplier. Active duty time is the primary metric.
- High-3 Average: This is the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. Usually, these are your final three years of service.
- COLA: Cost of Living Adjustments are applied annually to help your pension keep pace with inflation after you transition.