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Understanding the Blended Retirement System 


The Blended Retirement System (BRS) became an option for eligible active service members in 2018 and is the only retirement system for new service members who entered in 2018 or after. BRS is composed of a traditional pension and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) investment account; similar to a 401k. With TSP, you must decide what investments to make, and when and how much to invest. The pension portion requires no input from you. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) administers the pension portion, while TSP administers the investment account portion of BRS. The best resource to understand BRS is the comprehensive BRS webpage at https://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement. It provides detailed information in the form of articles, guides, checklists and videos. It also includes three calculators to help understand specific retirement situations:
  DFAS also has BRS information: Lump Sum Option
Please pay particular attention to how the lump sum option works. Service members under BRS who qualify for retired pay may be eligible to elect either a 25 percent or 50 percent discounted portion of their monthly retired pay as a lump sum in exchange for reduced monthly retired pay. Monthly retired pay returns to the full amount when the service member reaches the full Social Security retirement age. If choosing the lump sum option, you must notify your human resources servicing office no less than 90 days before retirement, and for National Guard and Reservists no less than 90 days before receipt of monthly retired pay (which is at age 60 or earlier based on creditable active service). More details are available at the BRS webpage. We recommend reading the BRS Fact Sheet before reading the Service Member’s Guide to BRS.

 
Common Questions
Below are common questions and our answers.
  1. Q: Does a medical retirement alter anything as it pertains to BRS?
A: Use the BRS Medical Retirement Calculator to calculate adjustments: https://militarypay.defense.gov/Calculators/Medical-Blended-Retirement-System-Standalone-Calculator/
  1. Q: What is the single best source to learn more about BRS?
A: Go to https://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/
  1. Q: If the member was qualified to elect BRS, but did not, will they receive a pension and TSP?
A: If the member had the option to elect BRS, and did not elect, the member will only receive a pension.
  1. Q: How should I manage my investments and when can I make withdrawals?
A: TSP administers the investments side of BRS, so go to https://www.tsp.gov or seek advice from an investment professional.
 








Page updated June 25, 2025