TSP Growth Projector
See how your Thrift Savings Plan grows between now and retirement. Inputs your pay grade, BRS matching, and fund allocation — then models compound growth year by year with a contribution increase assumption and a full Roth vs. Traditional comparison.
Your Profile
Military Information
BRS applies to anyone who entered service on or after January 1, 2018, or opted in during the 2018 window. BRS members receive DoD matching contributions; Legacy members do not.
Contribution Settings
= $206/mo (5.0% of base pay)
BRS government match always goes to Traditional, regardless of your election.
Full BRS match: $205.50/month government contribution
Auto 1%: $41.10 · Matching: $164.40 · Total gov: $205.50/mo
Annual gov contribution
$2,466/yr
Applies annual cost-of-living and merit increases to contribution amounts
Fund Allocation
Blended annual return: 9.42%
Projected Balance
$2.85M
at age 65 (39 years)
Monthly Retirement Income
$9,498
4% rule · $113,977/yr
Balance Breakdown
Balance Growth Over Time
Roth vs. Traditional TSP
Traditional TSP
$7,409/mo
after 22% tax · $88,902/yr
Pre-tax contributions. Entire balance taxed on withdrawal.
Roth TSP
$9,498/mo
100% tax-free · $113,977/yr
After-tax contributions. Qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
If your tax rate in retirement is lower than it is now, Traditional may come out ahead. If it stays the same or rises, Roth wins. Combat zone contributions to Roth TSP are a triple tax advantage: no tax going in (combat pay exclusion), no tax on growth, no tax on withdrawal. Note: BRS government matching contributions always go to Traditional TSP regardless of your election.
BRS Match at Different Contribution Levels
Based on E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) at 6 years of service ($4,110/mo base pay)
| You contribute | Your $/mo | Gov match $/mo | Total $/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0.00 | $41.10 | $41.10 |
| 1% | $41.10 | $82.20 | $123.30 |
| 2% | $82.20 | $123.30 | $205.50 |
| 3% | $123.30 | $164.40 | $287.70 |
| 4% | $164.40 | $184.95 | $349.35 |
| 5% ← you | $205.50 | $205.50 | $411.00 |
| 10% | $411.00 | $205.50 | $616.50 |
Contributing at least 5% of base pay unlocks the full government match of $205.50/mo ($2,466/yr).
What is the TSP?
The Thrift Savings Plan is the federal government's retirement savings plan — the military equivalent of a 401(k). It offers five individual investment funds (G, F, C, S, I) plus Lifecycle funds that automatically shift to more conservative allocations as you approach your target retirement date.
The TSP has the lowest expense ratios of any retirement plan in the country — as of 2025, around 0.04% annually. That means more of your money stays invested instead of going to fund managers. A civilian 401(k) might charge 0.5–1.5% per year, which compounds into dramatically less money at retirement.
BRS Matching Explained
Under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), DoD contributes to your TSP:
- 1% automatic: DoD puts in 1% of your base pay automatically, even if you contribute nothing. Starts after 60 days of service.
- Dollar-for-dollar on first 3%: You contribute 3%, DoD matches 3%.
- 50¢ on next 2%: You contribute 2% more (total 5%), DoD adds 1% more.
- Maximum match: Contribute 5% → DoD adds 5% → 10% of base pay going in each month.
BRS matching is monthly — if you max out your contributions early in the year (hitting the IRS limit), you stop receiving matching for the rest of the year. Spread contributions evenly across the year.
When matching begins: The automatic 1% DoD contribution starts after 60 days of service. The matching contributions (up to 4%) do not begin until the start of your third year of service — month 25. If you entered service on or after January 1, 2018, full matching kicks in after 24 months. A brand-new E-1 receives only the 1% automatic contribution until that milestone.
Roth vs. Traditional TSP
Traditional TSP: Contributions are pre-tax (reduce your taxable income now). Your entire balance is taxed when you withdraw in retirement.
Roth TSP: Contributions are after-tax (no immediate tax break). Qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free, including all the growth.
Combat zone triple tax advantage: If you contribute to Roth TSP from combat zone pay, you get a uniquely powerful benefit — combat pay is excluded from income tax, so you pay no tax going in, no tax on the growth, and no tax on the withdrawal. This is one of the best tax advantages available to any American investor.
2026 TSP Contribution Limits
The TSP Funds
G Fund — Government Securities
Invests in short-term U.S. Treasury securities. Principal cannot decrease. Returns are currently ~4–5%. Good for near-retirement capital preservation.
F Fund — Fixed Income Index
Tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Higher return potential than G, but bond prices fluctuate with interest rates.
C Fund — Common Stock Index (S&P 500)
Tracks the S&P 500. Long-term average ~10%/year. The most popular single-fund choice for young, growth-oriented investors.
S Fund — Small/Mid Cap Stock Index
Tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index — everything not in the S&P 500. Higher volatility and higher long-term return potential than C.
I Fund — International Stock Index
Tracks international developed markets. Provides geographic diversification. Performance varies with currency and global economic conditions.
The Power of Starting Early
Time in the market is the single biggest factor in TSP growth. An E-3 who starts contributing $200/month at age 20 (with a 10% blended return) reaches retirement at 65 with approximately $1.7M. An E-5 who waits until age 26 to contribute the same amount reaches the same age with approximately $1.1M — $600K less, despite paying in for only 6 fewer years.
The math is unforgiving: those early years do the most compounding. Even a very small contribution at 20 beats a large contribution at 30. Start now, even if the amount is small.
Disclaimer
This is a projection tool using assumed rates of return, not guaranteed outcomes. Default return assumptions (G: 4%, F: 5%, C: 10%, S: 9.5%, I: 7%) are simplified long-term historical averages — past performance does not guarantee future results. Actual returns will vary year to year, including periods of negative returns. This calculator is not financial advice. Consult a fee-only financial advisor or accredited financial counselor for personalized guidance. Visit TSP.gov for official fund information and contribution rules. 2026 contribution limits sourced from TSP.gov and the IRS.