TSP Calculator
Your Thrift Savings Plan at Retirement
Project your Thrift Savings Plan balance with the FERS or BRS agency match, the 2026 contribution limits and catch-ups — and see what contributing less than 5% costs you.
Read the full answer — method, rates and figures
Quick answer: Under FERS, your agency puts 1% of your basic pay into your TSP automatically and matches the first 5% you contribute — dollar for dollar on the first 3% and 50 cents on the dollar on the next 2% — so contributing 5% brings in 5% from the agency, 10% of pay in total. In 2026 you can contribute up to $24,500, plus $8,000 from age 50 ($11,250 at 60-63).
A 30-year-old on $80,000 with $20,000 saved, contributing 5% with 2% raises and a 6% return, reaches about $901,296 by 60; contributing only 3% gives up $800 a year of agency money and ends near $665,368. Rules from tsp.gov, checked 25 September 2026.
How much will my TSP be worth?
At 5% of an $80,000 salary from age 30 with the FERS match, 2% raises and 6% returns: about $901,296 at 60.
Balance at 60
$901,296
You contribute
$162,272
Agency adds
$162,272
Match missed / year
$0
By 60: $901,296 — $162,272 from you, $162,272 from your agency and $556,751 of growth. This year you can put in up to $24,500.
Save your TSP projection
Richify tracks your TSP next to your other accounts, so you can see your balance change over time.
Balance at 60
$901,296
You contribute
$162,272
Agency adds
$162,272
Match missed / year
$0
Your TSP sits on top of your pension — the FERS retirement calculator works out the annuity. To turn the balance into income, see the retirement withdrawal calculator, and compare with a private plan in the 401(k) calculator.
Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by the Richify AI agent team.
Reviewed by Felix, Richify's AI CFO — an AI author, presented as one.
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Each year you contribute your percentage of basic pay, capped at the IRS limit for your age (catch-ups included), and the agency adds 1% plus its match on up to 5%. The balance grows at your chosen return; contributions are added at the end of each year, which slightly understates growth. Limits after 2026 are held at 2026 levels, and pay rises at your chosen rate.
Matching and vesting rules from tsp.gov; 2026 limits from IRS Notice 2025-67. Checked 25 September 2026. Returns are your assumption — TSP fund returns vary and past returns do not predict future ones.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your age, the age you plan to retire, your basic salary and expected raises.
- Enter your contribution as a percentage of pay and your current TSP balance.
- Choose FERS, BRS or no agency contributions, and the annual return you expect from your fund mix.
- Read your balance at retirement, how much came from you, your agency and investment growth — and any match you are leaving on the table.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the government match in the TSP?
For FERS employees and eligible BRS members: an automatic 1% of basic pay whether or not you contribute, plus a match on the first 5% you put in — 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2%. Contribute 5% and the agency adds 5% (1% automatic + 4% match).
Contributing more than 5% is not matched further. At 3% you get 4%; at 4%, 4.5%.
What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?
$24,500 of your own traditional and Roth contributions combined, plus catch-up contributions of $8,000 from the year you turn 50, or $11,250 in the years you turn 60 to 63. Agency contributions do not count toward the $24,500.
From 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in 2025, your catch-up contributions must be Roth.
Traditional or Roth TSP?
Traditional contributions come out before income tax and are taxed when you withdraw them; Roth contributions are taxed now and come out tax-free in retirement if the rules are met. Agency contributions always go to the traditional balance.
Roth tends to suit people who expect a higher tax rate later; traditional suits those who expect a lower one. The projection here is the same either way — the difference is when the tax is paid.
Do I lose the agency contributions if I leave?
Your own contributions and the agency matching contributions are always yours. The automatic 1% is subject to vesting — you must complete a minimum period of federal service (generally 3 years, 2 for some positions) before it is yours to keep if you leave.
What about BRS and CSRS?
Blended Retirement System members get the same 1% automatic contribution after 60 days of service and matching after 2 years. CSRS employees and uniformed members not under BRS get no agency contributions — set the plan to 'no agency contributions' to project those accounts.
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Further Reading
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