Military TSP calculator: your BRS match by rank
Under the Blended Retirement System, the government adds 1% of your basic pay to your TSP after 60 days of service and matches up to 4% more after 2 years, when you contribute 5%. Pick your grade and time in service to see the monthly amounts, based on the 2026 DFAS basic pay tables.
Special & incentive pay (optional)
Each month, E-5 with 4 years (2026 basic pay $3,775.80) (estimate)
- You (5% of basic pay)
- $188.79
- Automatic 1%
- $37.76
- Matching
- $151.03
- Total into your TSP
- $377.58
About $4,531 a year, $2,265 of it from the government.
Monthly totals line up with the TSP lines on your LES. Military members are paid twice a month; each paycheck is half of these amounts.
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How BRS matching works
The government's share is based on what you put in from basic pay. Every BRS member past 60 days of service gets the automatic 1%, even if they contribute nothing. After 2 years, matching adds up to 4% more.
| You put in | Automatic | Match | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| 1% | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| 2% | 1% | 2% | 5% |
| 3% | 1% | 3% | 7% |
| 4% | 1% | 3.5% | 8.5% |
| 5% or more | 1% | 4% | 10% |
Percent of basic pay, for BRS members with 2+ years of service. The match is 100% on your first 3% and 50% on the next 2%.
More detail, with dollar examples by rank: How much does the military match in the TSP?
When contributions start and stop
- Automatic 1%: starts after 60 days of service.
- Matching: starts after 2 years of service (right away for members who opted into BRS in 2018).
- Both stop after 26 years of service.
- Legacy High-3 members: no automatic or matching contributions.
- New members are automatically enrolled at 5% of basic pay unless they choose otherwise.
2026 TSP contribution limits
The most you can contribute from your own pay is $24,500 in 2026, plus catch-up of $8,000 at age 50 or older, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63. Government contributions don't count toward this limit. Pay earned in a combat zone tax exclusion area is subject to a higher overall limit.
| Your age in 2026 | Most you can put in |
|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 |
| Age 50 to 59, or 64 and older | $32,500 |
| Age 60 to 63 | $35,750 |
Roth catch-up rules and combat-zone limits: TSP contribution limits for 2026
Special pay, incentive pay and bonuses
You can contribute any percentage of special pay, incentive pay and bonuses, from 1% to 100%, as long as you contribute at least 1% of basic pay. These contributions aren't matched. Annual bonuses and incentive pay arrive as lump sums, so their contributions show up in the month they're paid.
Common questions
How much does the military match in the TSP?
Under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the government adds an automatic 1% of basic pay after 60 days of service, plus a match of up to 4% once you have 2 years of service. The match is dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% you contribute and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2%, so contributing 5% brings in the full 5% from the government.
When does BRS matching start?
For members who entered service on or after January 1, 2018, matching starts after 2 years of service. Members who opted into BRS in 2018 received matching right away. Both the automatic 1% and the match stop after 26 years of service.
Does the TSP match special pay, incentive pay or bonuses?
No. You can contribute 1% to 100% of special pay, incentive pay and bonuses (as long as you contribute at least 1% of basic pay), but matching and the automatic 1% are based on basic pay only.
Do legacy High-3 members get TSP matching?
No. Members under the legacy High-3 retirement system can contribute to the TSP but receive no automatic or matching contributions.
Is the Roth TSP matched?
Yes. Matching applies to both traditional and Roth contributions. The government's automatic and matching contributions always go into the traditional (pre-tax) balance.
Why does my LES show different numbers?
This calculator uses the 2026 DFAS basic pay tables. Your LES can differ if your pay date, time in service or allotments differ, or if you have special pay. Your LES and tsp.gov are always the official figures.
Sources: DFAS military pay tables (2026), tsp.gov contribution rules. Estimates only; your LES and tsp.gov are the official figures. Reveille Brief is not affiliated with the TSP, the Department of War or the U.S. government. Educational information, not investment advice.