Blended Retirement System (BRS) Explained

BRS is the retirement system for anyone who joined from 2018, and for those who opted in during the election window. It has three parts, and the trade at the heart of it is worth understanding.

A smaller defined-benefit pension. The multiplier is 2.0% per year of service, against 2.5% under the legacy High-3 system. At 20 years that is 40% of your High-3 average rather than 50%.

TSP matching, which legacy never had. The service contributes 1% of basic pay automatically, then matches your own contributions: dollar-for-dollar on the first 3%, then 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2%. Contribute 5% and the service adds 4%, so 5% of your pay becomes 10% going in. Contributing less than 5% leaves free money on the table, which is the single most consequential thing on this page.

Continuation pay. A mid-career lump sum, a multiplier of 2.5 to 13 times monthly basic pay for active-duty members, in exchange for an additional service obligation. The multiplier varies by service.

Vesting differs by pot: you are immediately vested in the service's matching contributions, but need two years of service to vest in the automatic 1%.

Who is eligible?

Everyone who entered service from January 1, 2018 is in BRS. Those serving before then had a one-time opt-in window, now closed — so if you were serving before 2018 and did not opt in, you are on legacy High-3.

The 20-year cliff still applies to the pension: no pension without 20 years of service, under either system.

What BRS changes is what happens if you leave before that. Under legacy, leaving at 10 years meant no retirement benefit at all. Under BRS you take your TSP balance — your contributions, the matching and the growth — with you. That is the point of the design, and it makes BRS materially better for the majority who do not serve 20 years.

How do I apply?

  • Contribute at least 5% of basic pay, today: Anything less forfeits part of the match. This is the highest-return action available to you.
  • Check your current contribution rate: Default enrollment rates have changed over time, and many people are still on the rate they were auto-enrolled at.
  • Decide on continuation pay deliberately: It is a lump sum against an additional service obligation. The multiplier varies by service, so get your own figure rather than a general one.
  • Know your vesting position: Matching contributions vest immediately; the automatic 1% needs two years.
  • Model it against High-3 if you opted in: The BRS comparison calculator exists for this, and the answer depends heavily on whether you expect to reach 20 years.
  • Do not leave the TSP behind when you separate: It is yours, and it is the part of BRS that survives leaving early.

Common questions

What is the BRS pension multiplier?

2.0% per year of service, against 2.5% under legacy High-3. At 20 years that is 40% of your High-3 average rather than 50%.

How much does the service match in TSP?

1% automatically, then dollar-for-dollar on your first 3% and 50 cents on the dollar for the next 2% — up to 5% of basic pay in total. Contribute 5% and you get the full 4% match on top of the automatic 1%.

What is continuation pay?

A mid-career lump sum of 2.5 to 13 times monthly basic pay for active-duty members, in exchange for additional service. The multiplier varies by service.

When do BRS contributions vest?

Service matching contributions vest immediately. The automatic 1% requires two years of service.

Is BRS worse than the old system?

For someone who serves 20 years, the pension is smaller. For the majority who leave before 20, BRS is better — legacy gave them nothing, BRS gives them a portable TSP balance.

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