Military Retirement Pay Calculator (High-3 and BRS)
Estimate gross monthly retired pay for an active duty regular retirement under High-3 or the Blended Retirement System (BRS), and see how a VA disability rating changes what you take home.
How it works
- High-3: 2.5% × years of service × the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. BRS: 2.0% × years × High-3 (DoD BRS page; DFAS retirement estimates).
- Partial years count by month (enter e.g. 24.5). The result is rounded down to the whole dollar (rate pending official confirmation: confirm DFAS rounding).
- Under 20 years there's no regular retired pay (BRS members keep their TSP and matching).
- VA disability: with a rating under 50%, retired pay is generally reduced dollar for dollar by VA compensation (VA pay is tax-free, so you usually still come out ahead on taxes). At 50% or more, Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) generally restores the full retired pay. Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is an alternative for combat-related disabilities; you can't get both (DFAS CRDP, DFAS CRSC). Look up your VA amount on the VA rate tables; this site doesn't build them in.
- Not included: Reserve/Guard (points-based) retirement, the BRS lump-sum option, REDUX, disability retirement, taxes, SBP premiums and COLA.
Rates used (as of 2026-10-25)
| Rate | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| High-3 multiplier | 2.5% per year | Statutory; rate pending official confirmation source link on DFAS |
| BRS multiplier | 2.0% per year | Statutory (BRS, 2018), militarypay.defense.gov; rate pending official confirmation |
| CRDP threshold | 50% rating | DFAS CRDP page; rate pending official confirmation |
Not official. Not financial, tax or legal advice. DuffelMath is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense, DFAS, the VA or any military service. Estimates only; your finance office, transportation office and DFAS decide what you are actually paid. Rates as of 2026-10-25; check the linked official sources.