Military retired pay after 20 years, by High-3
Monthly and yearly retired pay before tax and SBP. Your High-3 is the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay; allowances such as BAH do not count.
| High-3 a month | High-3 system, a month | BRS, a month | High-3 system, a year | BRS, a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,500 | $1,750 | $1,400 | $21,000 | $16,800 |
| $4,500 | $2,250 | $1,800 | $27,000 | $21,600 |
| $5,500 | $2,750 | $2,200 | $33,000 | $26,400 |
| $6,500 | $3,250 | $2,600 | $39,000 | $31,200 |
| $8,000 | $4,000 | $3,200 | $48,000 | $38,400 |
| $10,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $60,000 | $48,000 |
| $12,000 | $6,000 | $4,800 | $72,000 | $57,600 |
Why 20 years pays 50%
Each year of service earns 2.5% of your High-3 under the High-3 system and 2% under BRS, so 20 years is 20 × 2.5% = 50%, or 20 × 2% = 40%. Two fewer years (18) would pay 45% or 36%; two more (22) would pay 55% or 44%. Service past 30 years keeps counting up to 40, and retired pay rises each December by the change in consumer prices.
After the Survivor Benefit Plan
SBP spouse coverage on full retired pay costs 6.5% of it and pays your surviving spouse 55% for life. Premiums stop once you have paid 360 months and reached 70.
| High-3 a month | Retired pay | SBP cost | After SBP | Spouse would get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,500 | $1,750 | $114 | $1,636 | $963 |
| $4,500 | $2,250 | $146 | $2,104 | $1,238 |
| $5,500 | $2,750 | $179 | $2,571 | $1,513 |
| $6,500 | $3,250 | $211 | $3,039 | $1,788 |
| $8,000 | $4,000 | $260 | $3,740 | $2,200 |
The BRS lump sum
Under BRS you can take 25% or 50% of your retired pay up to Social Security’s full retirement age as a discounted lump sum; the monthly check is 75% or 50% of normal until then and returns to the full amount after. At 20 years on a $5,500 High-3, that means $1,650 or $1,100 a month instead of $2,200 until that age. The pension vs lump sum calculator shows what return a lump sum would need to keep up.
The calculator, set to 20 years
Enter your own High-3 and choose BRS or High-3. The full military retirement calculator page covers every rule.
$5,500 × 50.0% is $2,750 a month, $33,000 a year, raised each December by the change in consumer prices. Add it to the monthly retirement income calculator.
TSP, Social Security and a second career
Retiring after 20 years usually leaves years of work and saving before Social Security. Federal civilian work can add a pension of its own: see the FERS retirement calculator.
- Monthly retirement income calculator: add the retired pay to Social Security and what your savings pay. Its pension calculator works for any plan’s formula.
- How long will my money last: how far your TSP and other savings stretch on top of the pension.
- Coast FIRE calculator: with retired pay covering part of your spending, savings may already be enough to stop adding to.
- 72(t) calculator: penalty-free IRA payments before 59½, for TSP money rolled to an IRA after you leave.
- Social Security breakeven calculator: when to claim beside retired pay.
- Pension vs lump sum calculator: what a monthly pension is worth as a single payment.
Other years of service
- FERS retirement after 5 years
- FERS retirement after 10 years
- FERS retirement after 20 years
- FERS retirement after 25 years
- FERS retirement after 30 years
- Military retirement after 24 years
- Military retirement after 30 years
Estimates for active-duty retirement on the multipliers in 10 U.S.C. 1409; REDUX, Reserve and disability retirement are not covered. Updated 2026-11-04.
Figures checked on against 10 U.S.C. 1409, retired pay multiplier (2.5% High-3, 2% BRS), 10 U.S.C. 1401a, retired pay cost-of-living adjustments, 10 U.S.C. 1415, BRS lump sum of retired pay, 10 U.S.C. 1451, Survivor Benefit Plan annuity (55%) and 10 U.S.C. 1452, Survivor Benefit Plan cost (6.5%).