Military Retirement Calculator

Calculate your military pension under the Legacy High-3 system or the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Compare both side by side and see what your pension is worth at every year of service from 20 to 40.

Select your retirement system High-3 or BRS
Minimum 20 years for pension eligibility
SBP deducted from monthly retirement pay
Used for lifetime value calculation
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between High-3 and BRS? ›
The Legacy High-3 system gives a pension of 2.5% × years of service, calculated on the average of your highest 36 months of base pay. At 20 years, that's 50%. At 30 years, 75%. The Blended Retirement System (BRS) reduces the pension multiplier to 2.0% per year (40% at 20 years), but adds a DoD 401(k)-style match to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) — up to 4% of base pay after 2 years, plus an automatic 1% regardless of contributions. BRS also includes a mid-career continuation pay bonus.
Who is in which retirement system? ›
Members who entered service before January 1, 2006 remain in the Legacy High-3 system. Those who entered between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017 had a one-time option to opt into BRS during 2018. Everyone who entered service on or after January 1, 2018 is automatically in BRS. If you're unsure, check your MyPay account or contact your finance office.
How is High-3 base pay calculated? ›
High-3 uses the average of your highest 36 months (3 years) of basic pay, not your final paycheck. In most cases, this is your average pay over your last 3 years of service. It is not your final month's pay. If you received a significant pay raise in your last year, your High-3 will be slightly lower than your final pay rate.
What is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)? ›
SBP is an annuity program that continues up to 55% of your retirement pay to your eligible survivors after your death. Spouse coverage costs 6.5% of your gross retirement pay each month. It is automatically elected at retirement unless you and your spouse sign a waiver. SBP premiums are excluded from federal income tax, and survivor benefits are taxable to the recipient. After 30 years of SBP payments, premiums end but coverage continues for life.
Is military retirement pay taxable? ›
Military retirement pay is subject to federal income tax. However, many states offer full or partial exemptions — as of 2025, more than 30 states exempt some or all military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation received in addition to retirement pay may reduce or offset the taxable portion under the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) programs.
Does military retirement pay increase with inflation? ›
Yes — military retirement pay receives an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Under High-3, retirees receive full CPI COLA each year. Under BRS, retirees receive CPI minus 1% (called "REDUX-lite"), but receive a $30,000 lump-sum continuation pay bonus at the 12-year mark. The COLA difference compounds significantly over a long retirement.

About this military retirement calculator

This calculator covers both the Legacy High-3 retirement system and the Blended Retirement System (BRS) using 2025 military pay tables. Enter your pay grade and years of service to instantly see your monthly pension, annual income, and estimated lifetime value — with a full breakdown by every year from 20 to 40.

The power of serving to 30 years

Each additional year of service after 20 adds 2.5% (High-3) or 2.0% (BRS) to your retirement multiplier. Staying from 20 to 30 years increases your High-3 pension by 50% — from 50% to 75% of base pay. For an E-7, that difference is roughly $1,400/month more for life.

VA disability and military retirement

Veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 50% may be eligible for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP), which allows you to receive both full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, these offset each other dollar-for-dollar. CRDP eliminates that offset for qualifying veterans.