Estimate your BRS payout based on your service and contributions.
Your estimated annual retirement payout will appear here.
Understanding the Blended Retirement System (BRS)
The Blended Retirement System (BRS), implemented in the U.S. military starting January 1, 2018, combines elements of the traditional defined-benefit pension plan with a defined-contribution plan, similar to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This system aims to provide a retirement benefit for all servicemembers, regardless of whether they serve the full 20 years required for a traditional pension.
How the BRS Works
The BRS is designed with two primary components:
Retirement Pay ( a partial pension): Servicemembers who complete at least 20 years of *credible service* are eligible for retirement pay. However, the multiplier is lower than the traditional system. For those who opt into the BRS (prior to January 1, 2018) or who entered service on or after January 1, 2018, the retirement multiplier is 2.5% per year of service. This means a 20-year retirement would yield 50% of the servicemember's High-3 average base pay. (Note: Those who opted into the BRS before the cutoff date may have different multipliers based on their service commencement date and opt-in status).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with Government Matching Contributions: All BRS participants are eligible to contribute to the TSP. The government provides matching contributions:
100% match on the first 3% of the servicemember's base pay contributed.
50% match on the next 2% of the servicemember's base pay contributed.
This means a servicemember contributing 5% or more of their base pay will receive a total government match equivalent to 5% of their base pay. This match is immediate and portable, meaning it vests after two years of service.
The BRS Calculator Explained
This calculator provides an estimated annual retirement payout. It takes into account:
Total Years of Service: The duration of your military career.
High-3 Average Salary: The average of your highest 36 months of basic pay.
Contribution Rate (%): The percentage of your base pay you contribute to your TSP.
Current TSP Balance ($): The current value of your Thrift Savings Plan account.
The calculator estimates the pension portion of your retirement by applying the 2.5% multiplier to your High-3 average salary for each year of service. It also includes an estimate of the government's matching contribution portion to your TSP.
Calculation Formula (Simplified for Pension Portion):
Estimated Annual Pension Payout = (High-3 Average Salary * Years of Service * 0.025)
Note: This calculator provides a simplified estimate. The actual retirement payout can be influenced by various factors, including specific service dates, career progression, promotions, contribution levels, TSP investment performance, and any special pays or bonuses. It is recommended to consult official military retirement resources and a financial advisor for a precise calculation.
Use Cases
This calculator is useful for:
Servicemembers trying to understand their potential retirement benefits under the BRS.
Individuals planning their finances and savings strategies to maximize their retirement income.
Financial advisors assisting military clients.
function calculateBRSPayout() {
var yearsService = parseFloat(document.getElementById("yearsService").value);
var high3Average = parseFloat(document.getElementById("high3Average").value);
var contributionRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("contributionRate").value);
var tspBalance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("tspBalance").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Your estimated annual retirement payout will appear here."; // Reset message
var errors = [];
if (isNaN(yearsService) || yearsService <= 0) {
errors.push("Please enter a valid number for Total Years of Service (must be positive).");
}
if (isNaN(high3Average) || high3Average <= 0) {
errors.push("Please enter a valid number for High-3 Average Salary (must be positive).");
}
if (isNaN(contributionRate) || contributionRate 100) {
errors.push("Please enter a valid Contribution Rate between 0 and 100.");
}
if (isNaN(tspBalance) || tspBalance 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = errors.join("");
resultDiv.style.color = "#dc3545"; // Red for errors
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#f8d7da";
resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#f5c6cb";
return;
}
// Calculate estimated pension portion
var estimatedPension = yearsService * high3Average * 0.025;
// Calculate estimated annual government match contribution to TSP
// Maximum government match is 5% of base pay if servicemember contributes 5% or more
var effectiveContributionForMatch = Math.min(contributionRate, 5);
var annualGovtMatch = (high3Average * (effectiveContributionForMatch / 100)) * 0.6; // Rough approximation for annual match if they contribute at least 5%
// The 0.6 represents 3% (100% match) + 2% (50% match) = 5% of base for the first 5% contrib.
// This is a simplification. For 5% contribution, they get 5% match. For 3% contribution, they get 3% match.
// For >3% and = 3) {
totalGovtMatchRate += 3; // 100% match on first 3%
if (contributionRate >= 5) {
totalGovtMatchRate += 2; // 50% match on the next 2% (i.e., 2% * 0.5 = 1% of base pay)
} else {
totalGovtMatchRate += (contributionRate – 3) * 0.5; // 50% match on amount between 3% and your contribution
}
}
var annualGovtMatchAmount = high3Average * (totalGovtMatchRate / 100);
// Total estimated annual retirement income (Pension + Annual Gov Match Component from TSP)
// This calculation is a simplification. The TSP balance itself is a lump sum, not annual income.
// We are estimating the potential annual *benefit* from the government matching contributions *if*
// that portion of the TSP was drawn down annually, or as an indication of its growth value.
// A more accurate TSP estimation would involve growth rates and withdrawal strategies.
// For simplicity, we will display the estimated pension and mention the TSP component.
var totalEstimatedAnnualIncome = estimatedPension; // Focusing on the pension payout as the primary annual income.
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Estimated Annual Retirement Payout: $" + totalEstimatedAnnualIncome.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + "";
resultDiv.innerHTML += " (This estimate focuses on the pension portion. Your TSP balance and its growth are separate and will supplement this income.)";
// Style for success
resultDiv.style.color = "#155724"; // Dark green for result text
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#d4edda"; // Light green background
resultDiv.style.borderColor = "#c3e6cb"; // Green border
}