Enter your current and projected future military pay details to calculate base pay and TSP contribution. This calculator assumes a fixed annual TSP contribution limit of $23,500.
Enter your details and click 'Update Details' to see results.
The TSP contribution maximization calculator aims to compute a contribution percentage that active duty service members can set and forget at the beginning of the year to maximize contributions. The algorithm calculates TSP contribution percentages by determining your annual base pay and then dividing the TSP contribution limit by this figure. Anticipated promotion and Time in Services changes are factored into the annual base pay calculation if either or both are selected. Base pay increases are calculated at a monthly fidelity. That is, partial-month pay increases are not calculated. It's recommended that you adjust to the closest month start for the most accurate results. For example, if you promote on 28 May, select June as your month of promotion so that the calculator does not assume increased base pay for the month of May.
Contribution percentage is rounded up or down based on which result will get closer to the TSP limit with a bias for overshooting. A contribution of at least 4% in December is needed to secure a matching contribution if you are in the Blended Retirement System, which should not be impacted by the overshooting.
This calculator does not recommend Roth versus traditional contributions. Contributing to either or both works as long as the total contribution adds up to what the calculator recommends.