MILITARY RETIREMENT · HIGH-36 / BRS / RESERVE

First identify the retirement system. Then decide what the next year of service actually buys.

A 20-year pension is not one universal benefit. High-36 uses a 2.5% multiplier, BRS uses 2.0% plus TSP service contributions, and Reserve or Guard retirement depends on points and pay age. Treating them as interchangeable creates a false answer.

At 20 yearsHigh-36 formula = 50% of the retired-pay base. BRS formula = 40%—before TSP, continuation pay, SBP, taxes, or VA coordination.

THE FIRST FORK

Which military retirement math applies to you?

Do not start with a retirement-age guess. Start with DIEMS, component, retirement system, and an audited service or points record.

HIGH-36 / LEGACY

The pension carries more of the load.

High-36 generally uses 2.5% × years of service × the highest 36 months of basic pay. Twenty years produces a 50% multiplier. Final Pay and REDUX are separate legacy variants.

VERIFY DIEMS AND THE RETIREMENT PLAN IN YOUR RECORD.

BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM

The pension and TSP must be evaluated together.

BRS uses 2.0% × years × high-36, plus a 1% automatic TSP contribution and up to 4% additional matching when eligible. Continuation pay and the optional retired-pay lump sum are separate decisions.

A SMALLER PENSION IS NOT THE WHOLE BRS COMPARISON.

RESERVE / GUARD

Points and benefit start dates control the answer.

Retirement points convert to equivalent years, and retired pay normally begins later than an active-duty pension. Qualifying active service may reduce the pay age.

AUDIT THE POINTS STATEMENT BEFORE PROJECTING A DOLLAR.

QUICK FORMULA CHECK

See the pension-formula gap before comparing the plans.

Enter a high-36 monthly basic-pay base and service years. This isolates the defined-benefit formula; it deliberately does not guess TSP growth or VA benefits.

High-36 monthly basic payCreditable years of service

Illustrative formula screen for regular High-36 and BRS longevity retirement. Final Pay, REDUX, Reserve or Guard points, disability retirement, COLA, taxes, SBP, VA coordination, and eligibility require official records.

MONTHLY FORMULA CHECK—

WHAT CHANGES THE ANSWER

The expensive mistakes happen outside the headline pension.

These are separate elections and cash flows. Do not collapse them into one monthly estimate.

BRS TSP

BRS is only blended if the TSP side is captured.

The lower 2.0% pension multiplier is paired with service TSP contributions. Verify contribution rate, vesting, allocation, beneficiaries, and whether matching was actually received.

SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN

SBP is household income insurance—not a checkbox.

SBP can provide up to 55% of covered retired pay to an eligible beneficiary. Reducing or declining spouse coverage generally requires spouse consent, and later changes are limited.

BRS LUMP SUM

The upfront payment is not free money.

Eligible BRS retirees may choose a discounted 25% or 50% lump sum in exchange for reduced monthly retired pay until full Social Security retirement age. Compare lifetime and survivor cash flow first.

VA / DOD COORDINATION

Keep disability compensation and retired pay on separate ledgers.

VA ratings, DoD disability retirement, CRDP, and CRSC follow different rules. Use official estimates and do not double-count income that may offset or begin on different dates.

SEPARATION-DAY BRIEF

Build a military retirement file that survives separation day.

The first missing record is the next move. Finish these in order; a generic retirement percentage is not evidence.

Confirm DIEMS, retirement system, component, and creditable service in the personnel record.

Save an official retired-pay estimate or a reconciled Reserve or Guard points statement.

If covered by BRS, verify TSP automatic contributions, matching, vesting, allocation, and beneficiaries.

Price civilian housing, healthcare, taxes, life coverage, and lost allowances in the transition budget.

Model SBP for both lives before the election, including outside insurance and survivor income.

List DoD retired pay, VA compensation, TSP, and Social Security separately by start date and tax treatment.

OFFICIAL RULES

Use the source that controls this benefit.

The calculator is a screening tool. The current plan document, administrator record, and written benefit estimate control eligibility and payment. Verify the edition and effective date before an irreversible election.

RUN THE NEXT NUMBER

Use the calculator that matches this retirement system.

INCOME FLOOR