TSP Calculator
Project your Thrift Savings Plan balance at retirement with BRS employer matching, contribution growth, and monthly retirement income estimate. Everything runs in your browser — no data is stored or sent to any server.
How the TSP Calculator Works
The Thrift Savings Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan available to military service members and federal employees. Under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the government automatically contributes 1% of your base pay and matches up to an additional 4% of your contributions for a total of 5% employer match. This calculator uses the future value formula to project your TSP balance based on your current balance, monthly contributions, employer match percentage, expected annual return, and years until retirement.
The growth formula used is: FV = PV(1+r/12)^(12t) + PMT x [((1+r/12)^(12t) - 1) / (r/12)], where PV is your current balance, PMT is your total monthly contribution including match, r is the annual return rate, and t is years until retirement. The calculator also estimates monthly retirement income using the 4% safe withdrawal rule.
BRS Matching and Contribution Strategy
The Blended Retirement System provides automatic and matching contributions. Service members receive an automatic 1% contribution from the government regardless of their own contribution level. The government then matches dollar-for-dollar the first 3% you contribute, and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2%. To maximize the full 5% match, you need to contribute at least 5% of your base pay. Not contributing enough to get the full match is essentially leaving free money on the table.
When choosing between Traditional and Roth TSP contributions, consider your current and expected future tax brackets. Traditional contributions reduce your taxable income now but are taxed upon withdrawal. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars but grow and are withdrawn tax-free in retirement. Many military members benefit from Roth contributions because military pay is often in a lower tax bracket during active service.
TSP Investment Fund Options
The TSP offers several investment funds including the G Fund (government securities), F Fund (bonds), C Fund (S&P 500 stocks), S Fund (small-cap stocks), and I Fund (international stocks). There are also Lifecycle (L) Funds that automatically adjust allocation based on your target retirement date. Historical average returns for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio have been around 7-10% annually, though past performance does not guarantee future results. This calculator uses your chosen expected return rate to project growth.
Maximizing Your Military TSP
- Contribute at least 5% to get the full BRS match — this is an immediate 100% return on the matched portion.
- Consider Roth contributions while in a low tax bracket during active duty.
- Increase contributions with each promotion or pay raise.
- Use combat zone tax exclusion to contribute tax-free to Roth TSP during deployments.
- Avoid early withdrawals — the 10% penalty plus taxes significantly erode your savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BRS employer match for military TSP?
Under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the government automatically contributes 1% of your base pay and matches your contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 3%, then 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2%. To get the full 5% match, you need to contribute at least 5% of your base pay.
Should I choose Roth or Traditional TSP?
Most military members benefit from Roth TSP contributions because military pay is often in a lower tax bracket. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars but grow and are withdrawn tax-free in retirement. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later, Roth is usually the better choice.
What is the 4% rule for retirement income?
The 4% rule is a widely-used guideline suggesting you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually (adjusted for inflation) without running out of money over a 30-year retirement. For example, a $1,000,000 TSP balance would provide approximately $40,000 per year or $3,333 per month.
What is a realistic annual return for TSP?
Historical average returns for the C Fund (S&P 500) have been approximately 10-11% before inflation. A blended portfolio using Lifecycle funds typically returns 7-9%. This calculator defaults to 7%, which is a conservative estimate that roughly accounts for inflation.
Can I contribute to TSP during deployment?
Yes, and deployments to combat zones offer a significant tax advantage. Under the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, your pay is tax-free, making Roth TSP contributions especially valuable — you contribute tax-free money that also grows and is withdrawn tax-free.
What is the 2026 TSP contribution limit?
The 2026 annual TSP contribution limit is $23,500 for elective deferrals (under age 50). Service members age 50 and older can make additional catch-up contributions. Combat zone contributions can exceed this limit up to the Section 415(c) annual additions limit.