Twenty years is the classic military retirement milestone — the point at which you can retire with an immediate, lifelong pension. But exactly how much? It comes down to one formula and which retirement system you're in.
Military retired pay at 20 years is:
Multiplier × Years of Service × High-3 average basic pay
So at 20 years, High-3 retirees get 50% of their High-3 average (2.5% × 20), and BRS retirees get 40% (2.0% × 20).
Using illustrative High-3 averages (your actual figure depends on rank and pay at retirement):
| High-3 average | High-3 pension (50%) | BRS pension (40%) |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000/yr | $30,000/yr ($2,500/mo) | $24,000/yr ($2,000/mo) |
| $72,000/yr | $36,000/yr ($3,000/mo) | $28,800/yr ($2,400/mo) |
| $90,000/yr | $45,000/yr ($3,750/mo) | $36,000/yr ($3,000/mo) |
The pension is only half the picture. If you're under BRS, you've also been getting up to a 5% government TSP match for your whole career. That balance — plus your own contributions and decades of growth — is yours on top of the pension. Under High-3 there's no match, but your own TSP savings still add up.
Each additional year adds to the multiplier: at 24 years, High-3 pays 60% and BRS 48%; at 30 years, 75% and 60%. Staying longer also tends to raise your High-3 average as your pay grows.
Calculate your exact pension + TSP →Related reading: BRS vs. High-3 explained · 2027 military pay raise · Your TSP after you separate