The Military Retirement System

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The Different Military Retirement Systems

There are currently four different retirement pay systems depending on when you joined the military:

Join Date Retirement System
Before
Sep. 8, 1980
Final Pay
Between
Sep. 9, 1980 - Jul. 31, 1986
High 36
Between
Aug. 1, 1986 - Dec. 31, 2017
High 36  or CSB/REDUX
After
Jan. 1, 2018
Blended (BRS)

How to Calculate Retirement Pay

For more information about these retirement systems and details on how to calculate your retirement visit our Computing Retired Military Pay page.

About the Military Retirement System

The military retirement system is arguably the best retirement deal around.

Unlike most retirement plans, the military offers a pension that starts the day you retire, no matter how old you are. That means you could start collecting a regular retirement pension as early as 37 years old. What's more, that pension check will grow with a cost of living adjustment each year.

Your surviving family members can even draw a portion of your retirement if they outlive you.

All of these retirement systems have a common thread: If you stay in the military for 20 or more years, you get a pension based on a percentage of your basic pay.

More Retirement Pay Information

Details on the CSB/REDUX system, including comparisons between the options.

All about the Blended Retirement System.

The Thrift Savings Plan.

Survivor Benefit Plan Overview

Keep Up With Military Pay Updates

Military pay benefits are constantly changing. Make sure you're up-to-date with everything you've earned. Subscribe to Military.com to receive updates on all of your military pay and benefits, delivered directly to your inbox.

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