Military Retirement Calculator (High-3 vs BRS)
Use our free military retirement calculator to project your exact monthly pension under the legacy High-3 system or the new Blended Retirement System (BRS). Evaluate the mathematical cliff of the VA CRDP offset rules.
Last updated: February 2026
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Average basic pay over highest 36 months
Used for concurrent receipt (CRDP) offset
DoD Pension Dynamics
Algorithm
2.5% vs 2.0% Core Math
Calculates exact basis points per year of active service to construct the multiplier envelope.
Calculations
Base Pay Only
Filters out BAH and BAS allowances, applying the multiplier strictly to terminal base pay averages.
Financial Flow
Offset Rules
Predicts exactly whether your VA rating will offset your retirement pay or stack securely on top of it.
The CRDP Cliff: 40% vs 50% VA Rating
The most pivotal financial junction for retiring military personnel is the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) cutoff. Hitting 50% structurally alters your net worth.
Quick Example: E-7 Retiring at 20 Years
An E-7 averages ~$5,800/mo base pay in their final 3 years. Under High-3 (50% multiplier) they get $2,900/mo. Under BRS (40% multiplier) they get $2,320/mo.
High-3 Pension
$2,900/mo
BRS Pension
$2,320/mo
GAP
$580/mo loss built to be offset by TSP Match
How The Defense Finance Algorithms Work
Our military retirement calculator uses DoD public formulas to map your defined benefit. The government restricts the formula logic rigidly around active duty time served; there is no variance based on age or rank alone (beyond how rank influences base pay).
The Defined Benefit Master Equation
High-3: (Average 36mo Pay) × (Years of Service × 0.025) = Monthly CheckBRS: (Average 36mo Pay) × (Years of Service × 0.020) = Monthly CheckThe Blended Retirement System intentionally penalizes the rigid pension (cutting it from 50% to 40% at the 20-year mark) to afford the expensive 5% TSP match offered earlier in a troop's career.
Sources & References
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - High-3 vs BRS DirectivesCore architectural framework for U.S Military Pensions.
- Veterans Affairs (VA.gov) - Concurrent Receipt (CRDP)Documentation detailing the 50% barrier required to stop dollar-for-dollar DFAS offsets.
Calculate your Thrift Savings Plan growth alongside your pension with our TSP Growth Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Approaching Retirement?
Share this math tool with other NCOs and Officers in your unit so everyone understands the BRS and CRDP cliffs.
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