Military retirement & TSP
Your service earned benefits. See how military retired pay, TSP savings, Social Security, and your monthly expenses fit together in one retirement income picture.
For service members, veterans, and military families · Educational guide
Know which retirement system applies to you
Military retired pay depends on your service record and retirement system. Some people are covered by a legacy plan; others participate in the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Guard and Reserve retirement also has different timing and service rules. Start with your official retirement estimate and confirm plan details with your service or benefits office.
Military retirement is separate from civilian FERS. Our FERS calculator estimates certain civilian federal benefits; it does not calculate military retired pay.
Put each income source on a timeline
Write down when military retired pay, TSP withdrawals, Social Security, and any other income may begin. Then compare that income with housing, health care, food, taxes, and other monthly costs. The difference is the amount your savings may need to cover.
Estimate your monthly income gap →
Explore how a market decline could affect withdrawals →
These general planning tools use the amounts you enter. They do not determine military benefit eligibility, retired pay, or TSP withdrawal rules.
Understand where BRS fits
BRS combines military retired pay for those who qualify with government contributions to TSP. It also includes continuation pay for eligible members who agree to additional service. Whether BRS applies to you depends on when you entered service and any election you made. Your TSP balance is savings, not an automatic monthly pension.
Official BRS guide ↗
Check eligibility, pension and TSP basics with Military OneSource.
Military OneSource · opens in a new tabOfficial BRS calculator ↗
Explore an individualized BRS estimate using the government calculator.
Military Pay · opens in a new tabThrift Savings Plan ↗
Review your account, plan rules, and withdrawal choices directly with TSP.
TSP.gov · opens in a new tabMilitary retirement transition ↗
Find guidance for retirement from military service and family decisions.
Military OneSource · opens in a new tabPrepare for a useful conversation
- Which military retirement system applies to me, and what does my official estimate show?
- When will retired pay, TSP withdrawals, and Social Security each begin?
- How much monthly spending remains after dependable income?
- How much of my TSP or other savings should stay accessible?
- What survivor and beneficiary choices should my household review?
Bring your official estimate and TSP statement for your own reference. Keep account numbers and sensitive documents out of the website contact form.