Project your TSP growth with BRS matching, promotions, and fund allocation
The Thrift Savings Plan is the military's 401(k) equivalent with the lowest expense ratios in the industry. Under BRS, the government contributes up to 5% of your base pay for free. Not contributing at least 5% is leaving thousands on the table every year. Enter your details below to see what your TSP will be worth — with promotion-aware projections that account for your actual military pay trajectory.
Projected TSP Balance at YOS
The Thrift Savings Plan has the lowest fees in the investment industry — expense ratios of 0.055% compared to 0.5-1.5% for typical civilian 401(k) funds. Over a 20-year career, that fee difference alone saves you tens of thousands in returns.
Under 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 from 3-5%. Contributing less than 5% means you're declining free money. At an E-5's pay, the full match is worth roughly $2,400/year — $48,000+ over a 20-year career before investment growth.
Use the Retirement Calculator to see how TSP fits alongside your pension and VA disability for a complete retirement picture. The Full Compensation Calculator shows your current total pay including allowances.
At minimum 5% to capture the full BRS match. Many advisors recommend 15-20% for military members since tax-free allowances (BAH, BAS) cover most living costs and aren't included in the contribution base. Even going from 5% to 10% can add $100,000-$200,000+ to your retirement balance.
For long time horizons (10+ years), the C Fund (S&P 500, ~10.2% historical) and S Fund (small/mid cap, ~10.7%) have produced the highest returns. Lifecycle (L) funds automatically shift to bonds as you age. The G Fund is safest but barely beats inflation at ~3.2%. Most financial advisors recommend young service members go heavy in C and S funds.
No — BRS matching only occurs while you're serving. After separation, your TSP remains invested and continues to grow, but there are no new government contributions. You can roll your TSP into a civilian 401(k) or IRA, or leave it in TSP (often the best choice due to low fees).
Most military members benefit from Roth TSP because military base pay is relatively low (putting you in a lower tax bracket now), and your withdrawals in retirement will be completely tax-free. Traditional TSP gives a tax break now but you'll pay taxes on withdrawals. If you're in a combat zone with tax-free pay, Roth is almost always better.