Estimate how your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account could grow by retirement. Choose FERS, the military Blended Retirement System or CSRS, enter your pay and contribution rate, split your money across the G, F, C, S and I funds, and see your own contributions, the agency 1% and matching, and growth year by year.
Last updated:
You
Retirement system
BRS matching runs from 2 to 26 years of service.
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Pay & contributions
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Fund allocation & expected returns
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Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the TSP Calculator
Pick your retirement system: FERS civilian, BRS uniformed services or CSRS.
Enter your age, retirement age, basic pay and current TSP balance.
Enter the percent of basic pay you contribute (traditional + Roth combined).
Set your fund allocation and the yearly return you expect from each fund.
Press Calculate to see your projected balance and how much the agency adds.
TSP agency contributions by your contribution rate
For FERS employees and BRS members (after 2 years of service). Percentages are of basic pay.
Example: a FERS employee earning $80,000 who contributes 5% puts in $4,000; the agency adds $800 automatic + $3,200 match = $4,000. With the default 7.15% blended return and a $40,000 starting balance, the first year ends at $40,000 × 1.0715 + $8,000 × 1.03575 = $51,146. Your contributions are capped at the IRS limit ($24,500 in 2026 plus any catch-up), and agency matching continues on every paycheck because TSP catch-ups spill over automatically.
TSP fund overview
Fund
Invests in
Risk
G Fund
Special-issue U.S. Treasury securities; cannot lose principal
Lowest
F Fund
U.S. investment-grade bond index
Low–moderate
C Fund
Large U.S. companies (S&P 500 index)
Moderate–high
S Fund
Small and mid-size U.S. companies not in the S&P 500
High
I Fund
Stocks in developed and emerging markets outside the U.S.
High
L Funds
Target-date mixes of the five funds that get more conservative over time
Varies by date
To model an L Fund, enter its current mix of G, F, C, S and I. Past returns do not guarantee future results.
Frequently asked questions
How does the TSP agency match work?
FERS employees and BRS service members get an automatic agency contribution of 1% of basic pay, plus matching: dollar for dollar on the first 3% of pay you contribute and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%. Contributing 5% therefore brings in 4% of matching plus the 1% automatic, a total of 5% of pay from the agency.
What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?
The elective deferral limit is $24,500 for 2026 ($23,500 in 2025), combining traditional and Roth TSP. Participants age 50 or older can add $8,000 in catch-up contributions, and those aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250. Agency contributions do not count toward the $24,500, only toward the overall $72,000 annual additions limit.
When does BRS matching start and stop?
Under the Blended Retirement System the automatic 1% begins about 60 days after you enter service, matching begins once you complete 2 years of service, and agency contributions end after 26 years of service.
Do CSRS employees get TSP matching?
No. Employees under the older Civil Service Retirement System can contribute to the TSP up to the same IRS limits, but receive no agency automatic or matching contributions because their pension is larger.
What return should I use for each TSP fund?
The G Fund holds special Treasury securities and has the lowest risk; the F Fund tracks a bond index; the C, S and I Funds track U.S. large-company, U.S. small/mid-company and international stock indexes. Long-run stock returns have historically been higher but far more volatile than bond returns. Pick conservative assumptions and test a few, because future returns are uncertain.
Are agency contributions Roth or traditional?
Agency automatic and matching contributions are always deposited as traditional (pre-tax) money, even if you elect Roth TSP for your own contributions. They and their earnings are taxed when withdrawn.
Do I lose the agency contributions if I leave federal service?
FERS agency automatic 1% contributions vest after 3 years of service for most employees (2 years for some positions), and BRS automatic contributions vest after 2 years. Your own contributions and the matching contributions are always fully vested.
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