Thrift Savings Plan
TSP Contribution Planner
How this works
2026 limits: Elective deferral $24,500, annual additions $72,000.
BRS match: 1% auto + dollar-for-dollar 1-3% + 50¢-per-dollar 4-5%. At 5% self-contribution you get 5% gov = 10% total.
Projection: Compound growth at chosen rate, contributions held constant for the years entered. Doesn't account for inflation or pay raises.
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Projections assume constant contributions, no inflation or pay raises, and compound growth at the rate you choose. Real returns vary year to year. BRS matching applies only to service members covered by the Blended Retirement System.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions from service members and veterans. Your exact number comes from the calculator above; every answer cites the official source.
How much do I put in to get the full TSP match, and can I lose match by maxing out early?⌄
Under BRS, contribute at least 5% of base pay EVERY month to capture the full 5% match: 1% automatic plus dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% plus 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2%. Contributing more than 5% does not grow the match. The match is calculated per pay period, so if you hit the annual elective-deferral limit before December your contributions stop and you forfeit the remaining months' match. Spread contributions across all 12 months. Use the calculator to set a per-month percentage that finishes in December.
Source: TSP.gov / militarypay.defense.gov BRS
Does the match count against the annual contribution limit?⌄
No. The government match does NOT count toward the elective-deferral limit on your own contributions. It counts toward a separate, much higher annual-additions limit that combines your contributions plus all agency money. This is why deployed members can contribute far more than the normal cap. Match is calculated on base pay only.
Source: TSP.gov / IRS contribution limits
Should I do Roth or Traditional TSP?⌄
There is no single right answer; it depends on your current versus expected future tax bracket. Many junior members favor Roth because their taxable income is low now (tax-free BAH and BAS are never taxed anyway), so paying tax now locks in tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals later. Combat-zone tax-exempt pay into Roth is especially powerful. Your own contributions go where you elect; you can split.
Source: TSP.gov
Why did my match go into Traditional when I only chose Roth?⌄
By law, ALL government matching and automatic contributions go into Traditional (pre-tax) TSP, even if you contribute 100% Roth. You cannot redirect the match to Roth. So most service members end up with both a Roth balance (their contributions) and a Traditional balance (the match). You still receive the full match when contributing Roth.
Source: TSP.gov
When am I vested in the match?⌄
You are vested in the agency matching contributions immediately for the dollar-for-dollar and 50-cent matches, but the automatic 1% agency contribution requires 2 years of service to vest. Your own contributions and their earnings are always yours. If you separate before vesting the 1%, you forfeit only that automatic piece.
Source: TSP.gov vesting
What's the 2026 TSP contribution limit, and does the combat-zone limit go higher?⌄
The normal elective-deferral limit (Roth plus Traditional combined from your own pay) is set annually by the IRS, with an additional catch-up for age 50+. In a combat zone, tax-exempt pay lets you contribute up to the much higher annual-additions limit, which is several times the normal cap. Check IRS and TSP.gov for the current-year dollar figures before front-loading.
Source: IRS / TSP.gov contribution limits