Military Retirement Calculator
Estimate your monthly military retired pay under the legacy High-3 system or the Blended Retirement System, using 2026 DFAS basic pay.
Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser · Last reviewed November 2026
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About the Military Retirement Calculator
Active duty service members who serve at least 20 years qualify for lifetime military retired pay. This military retirement calculator estimates the monthly pension under both systems: the legacy High-3 plan, which pays 2.5% of your High-3 average basic pay for each year of service, and the Blended Retirement System (BRS), which pays 2.0% per year and adds Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching. High-3 is the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. If you do not know it, the tool estimates it from the 2026 DFAS pay chart for your grade and years of service.
How to use it
- Choose High-3 or the Blended Retirement System and your pay grade at retirement.
- Enter your years of service, or enter your own High-3 monthly basic pay.
- Press Calculate retirement pay to see the monthly and annual pension.
Military retirement formula
Monthly retired pay = High-3 average monthly basic pay × years of service × multiplier, where the multiplier is 2.5% (High-3) or 2.0% (BRS). Example: an E-7 retiring at 20 years has an estimated High-3 of $6,177.30. Under High-3 that is 50% or $3,088.65 a month, and under BRS 40% or $2,470.92 a month.
Percent of High-3 by years of service
| Years | High-3 percent | BRS percent | High-3 pay (E-7 est.) | BRS pay (E-7 est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 years | 50.0% | 40.0% | $3,089 | $2,471 |
| 22 years | 55.0% | 44.0% | $3,398 | $2,718 |
| 24 years | 60.0% | 48.0% | $3,706 | $2,965 |
| 26 years | 65.0% | 52.0% | $4,015 | $3,212 |
| 28 years | 70.0% | 56.0% | $4,324 | $3,459 |
| 30 years | 75.0% | 60.0% | $4,633 | $3,706 |
Who is in which system
- Service members who joined on or after January 1, 2018 are in the Blended Retirement System.
- Members who joined before 2018 could choose to opt in during 2018, otherwise they stay in the legacy High-3 system.
- Reserve and Guard retirement uses points instead of calendar years and begins at age 60, with possible earlier start for qualifying active service.
Not included
This estimate covers basic retired pay only. It does not include cost-of-living adjustments, survivor benefit plan premiums, VA disability offsets, taxes, the BRS lump sum or TSP balances. Use the military pay calculator to see your current basic pay, BAS and BAH.
Frequently asked questions
How is military retirement pay calculated?
Multiply your High-3 average monthly basic pay by your years of service and by 2.5% (High-3) or 2.0% (Blended Retirement System).
How much is military retirement after 20 years?
50% of High-3 under the legacy system and 40% under the Blended Retirement System.
What is High-3?
The average of your highest 36 months of basic pay, which is usually your last three years of service.
What is the Blended Retirement System?
A retirement plan for service members who joined in 2018 or later, combining a smaller pension (2.0% per year) with automatic and matching TSP contributions.
Do I have to serve 20 years to get a pension?
Yes. Active duty retired pay requires at least 20 years of service, although some members retire early through temporary programs.
Is military retirement pay taxable?
Yes, retired pay is taxable federal income, and many states exempt part or all of it.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimates only. Your service finance office computes your official retired pay.