Military retirement calculator
Regular military retired pay is your High-3 average (your highest 36 months of basic pay) times 2.5% for each year of service, or 2.0% a year under the Blended Retirement System. Twenty years under High-3 gives 50%.
- High-3: you joined from September 8, 1980 through December 31, 2017 and didn't opt into BRS.
- BRS: you joined on or after January 1, 2018, or opted in during 2018.
- Regular retirement after 20 or more years of active service. Guard and Reserve: use the reserve retirement calculator.
How retired pay is figured
Retired pay = High-3 average × multiplier, rounded down to the whole dollar.
- High-3 average: the total of your 36 highest months of basic pay, divided by 36 (10 U.S.C. 1407). The months don't have to be in a row, but they are usually the last three years. Basic pay counts as actually paid, after the pay cap (37 U.S.C. 203(a)(2)). For generals and admirals, uncapped rates count only for months from October 2006 through December 2014 (10 U.S.C. 1407a), so anyone retiring now uses capped pay.
- Multiplier: 2.5% for each year of creditable service under High-3, 2.0% under BRS (10 U.S.C. 1409). A full extra month counts as 1/12 of a year, so 20 years and 6 months is 51.25% under High-3.
- Over 30 years: the multiplier keeps growing at the same rate past 75% (60% under BRS), under conditions the Secretary of Defense sets (10 U.S.C. 1409(b)(3)). This calculator stops at 40 years.
- Rounding: the monthly amount is rounded down to the next whole dollar (10 U.S.C. 1412).
Worked example: E-7 retiring at 20 years
| Months 205 to 216 (over 16 years) | 12 × $6,000.90 |
|---|---|
| Months 217 to 240 (over 18 years) | 24 × $6,177.30 |
| High-3 average | $220,266.00 ÷ 36 = $6,118.50 |
| High-3: 20 × 2.5% = 50% | $3,059.25 → $3,059 a month |
| BRS: 20 × 2.0% = 40% | $2,447.40 → $2,447 a month |
Rates from the 2026 pay table (Executive Order 14368). A real High-3 mixes the pay tables of three different years, so it's usually a little lower than an estimate built only from this year's table.
Which system you're under
| Joined before September 8, 1980 | Final basic pay system. Not covered here. |
|---|---|
| Joined September 8, 1980 to December 31, 2017 | High-3, 2.5% a year (10 U.S.C. 1407, 1409(b)(1)). Members with under 12 years of service on December 31, 2017 could opt into BRS during 2018. |
| Joined on or after January 1, 2018 | Blended Retirement System, 2.0% a year (10 U.S.C. 1409(b)(4)), plus government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan. |
Members who took the Career Status Bonus under the old REDUX option have a lower multiplier before 30 years (10 U.S.C. 1409(b)(2)). Their yearly cost-of-living raise is 1 point lower (10 U.S.C. 1401a(b)(3)), and their retired pay is recomputed at the full multiplier at age 62 (10 U.S.C. 1410). This calculator doesn't cover REDUX, disability retirement or reserve (points-based) retirement.
What changes the amount you receive
- Yearly raises: retired pay goes up each December with the cost-of-living adjustment (10 U.S.C. 1401a).
- BRS lump sum: at retirement, BRS members can take a lump sum of 25% or 50% of the discounted value of their retired pay up to Social Security retirement age. Until then, their monthly retired pay is 75% or 50% of the full amount (10 U.S.C. 1415). This calculator shows the full monthly amount.
- Survivor Benefit Plan: if you choose spouse coverage, the cost comes out of your retired pay (10 U.S.C. 1452).
- Taxes: retired pay based on length of service is taxable federal income, reported as a pension; the Survivor Benefit Plan cost is left out of income (IRS Publication 525).
- VA disability: VA compensation usually reduces retired pay dollar for dollar (38 U.S.C. 5304 and 5305), unless you qualify for CRDP or CRSC. See CRSC vs CRDP.
Retired pay is paid on the first day of each month, for the month before (10 U.S.C. 1412(b)).
Questions people ask
How much is military retirement after 20 years?
50% of your High-3 average under the High-3 system, or 40% under BRS. For an E-7 with a High-3 of $6,118.50 (2026 rates), that's $3,059 a month under High-3 or $2,447 under BRS, before taxes and any Survivor Benefit Plan cost.
What is the High-3 average?
The total of your 36 highest months of basic pay, divided by 36 (10 U.S.C. 1407). For most people it's the last three years before retirement. Housing and food allowances don't count.
How much less does BRS pay than High-3?
With the same High-3 and years, BRS retired pay is 20% lower: 2.0% a year instead of 2.5%. In exchange, BRS members get government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan.
Do extra months count toward retirement?
Yes. Each full month beyond your full years adds 1/12 of a year (10 U.S.C. 1405). Under High-3, 20 years and 6 months gives a 51.25% multiplier instead of 50%.
When does military retired pay start?
Each month's retired pay is paid on the 1st of the next month (10 U.S.C. 1412(b)), so your first payment comes on the 1st of the month after your first month of retirement.
Updated November 7, 2026. Sources: 10 U.S.C. 1401; 10 U.S.C. 1405; 10 U.S.C. 1407; 10 U.S.C. 1407a; 10 U.S.C. 1409; 10 U.S.C. 1410; 10 U.S.C. 1412; 10 U.S.C. 1415; 10 U.S.C. 1401a; 10 U.S.C. 1452; 10 U.S.C. 1370; 37 U.S.C. 203; 38 U.S.C. 5304 and 5305; IRS Publication 525; Executive Order 14368, "Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay," 90 FR 60521, December 23, 2025, Schedule 8. Not affiliated with the Department of Defense or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.