The Thrift Savings Plan is the military's version of a 401(k) — low fees, simple fund choices, and under the Blended Retirement System, free matching money. Small decisions made early (your contribution percentage, your fund mix) compound into enormous differences over a career. This guide covers how TSP growth works and how to project yours.
BRS matching: the first 5% is the priority
If you're under BRS, the government contributes to your TSP two ways:
- Automatic 1% of base pay, whether or not you contribute.
- Matching contributions that bring the government total to 5% when you contribute at least 5%, once you reach the matching eligibility point in your service.
Contributing less than 5% under BRS leaves matching money unclaimed. This matching is a core reason BRS retirement planning differs from High-36 — see the military retirement calculator guide.
The TSP funds, briefly
| Fund | What it holds |
|---|---|
| C Fund | Large U.S. company stocks (tracks the S&P 500 index) |
| S Fund | Small and mid-size U.S. company stocks |
| I Fund | International stocks |
| F Fund | U.S. bond market |
| G Fund | Government securities with no loss of principal |
| L Funds | Lifecycle mixes of the above that automatically adjust toward a target date |
Fund descriptions, performance history, and details are published at TSP.gov.
Project your TSP growth in the app
- Download Military Benefits Tracker on the App Store.
- Open the TSP Planner from the home screen.
- Enter your current balance, contribution rate, and whether you receive BRS matching.
- Choose a time horizon and explore allocations across the C, S, I, F, G, and L Funds.
- Compare scenarios — for example, 5% vs 10% contributions — and save the ones you want to revisit.
Advanced TSP calculators are part of Military Benefits Tracker Pro.
Plan your TSP
Project growth, model BRS matching, and compare fund allocations — privately, on your device.
Not financial advice. Projections are educational estimates based on assumptions you choose. Markets vary, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Consider consulting a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to get the full BRS match?
Contributing 5% of base pay generally captures the full government contribution — the automatic 1% plus matching up to a 5% government total once you're matching-eligible.
What's the difference between the TSP funds?
C = large U.S. stocks, S = smaller U.S. stocks, I = international stocks, F = bonds, G = government securities, L = lifecycle mixes that adjust automatically. Details at TSP.gov.
Are TSP growth projections guaranteed?
No. Projections assume a rate of return markets may not deliver. Use them to compare scenarios, not to predict outcomes.
Related guides
Sources
Military Benefits Tracker is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. Calculations are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial, legal, tax, or medical advice.