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TSP calculator

Project your Thrift Savings Plan balance with your contribution, the agency automatic 1% and matching, IRS limits and catch-up contributions, raises and a chosen return.

By the Calcist team · Checked against known answers · Updated October 28, 2026

IRS limits (2026, editable)

Private: calculated on your device. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Estimates for planning, not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures use US rules unless the page says otherwise.

Next: Have a 401(k) too? Use the 401(k) calculator. Planning withdrawals? See how long your money will last.

What this calculator does

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the retirement savings plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services. This calculator projects your balance year by year, adding the government's contributions where your plan gets them and capping your own at the IRS limit.

The match rules

For FERS employees, and for uniformed services members in the Blended Retirement System (BRS), TSP.gov says:

  • The agency or service puts in an automatic 1% of basic pay, even if you contribute nothing. It's subject to vesting.
  • It matches the first 5% you contribute: the first 3% dollar for dollar, the next 2% at 50 cents per dollar. The most you can get is a 4% match, for 5% of pay in total from the agency.
  • CSRS and non-BRS uniformed services members don't get matching contributions.
  • BRS members get the automatic 1% after 60 days of service, and those who began on or after January 1, 2018 get matching after two years of service.

How it's calculated

Your contribution = min(pay × your %, IRS limit + catch-up)
Automatic = 1% of pay; Match = (min(c, 3%) + ½ × min(max(c − 3%, 0), 2%)) × pay, c = your contribution ÷ pay
Each year's contributions are added in 12 monthly parts, growing at (1 + return)1/12 − 1 a month
Pay grows by the raise % each year

2026 IRS limits

The IRS set the 2026 elective deferral limit at $24,500, with an $8,000 catch-up for ages 50 and over and a higher $11,250 catch-up for ages 60 to 63. TSP.gov notes that catch-up contributions can be matched for eligible participants, up to 5% of salary, and that a Roth catch-up requirement applies to people whose prior-year wages were over $150,000. The limits are editable; this page keeps them flat in future years, though the IRS usually raises them.

Worked example

A FERS employee earning $70,000 who contributes 5% puts in $3,500 a year. The agency adds $700 (1%) plus a $2,800 match (4%): $7,000 a year in total. With no raises and no growth, that's $70,000 after 10 years. With 2% raises and a 6% return for 25 years, it grows to about $476,596, of which $112,106 is yours and $112,106 the agency's.

Limitations

  • Returns aren't guaranteed and vary by fund; the return is your assumption.
  • The TSP figures contributions each pay period; this page works by year with monthly growth, so results are close but not exact.
  • Results are in future dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and before tax.

Sources

How we checked this

Before every update, this calculator is run in a real browser with these known answers, and it must match all of them:

  • FERS, $70,000, 5% for 10 years, no growth: $70,000 (half agency) ✓
  • 2% raises, 6% return, 25 years: about $476,596 ✓
  • Legacy uniformed services (no match): $35,000 ✓
  • Age 55, $300,000 pay, 15%: capped at $32,500, $47,500 with agency ✓
  • Age 61: $11,250 catch-up, $50,750 total ✓
  • 2% contribution misses $1,400 of match ✓
  • 60 years is rejected ✓

Last checked October 26, 2026. Spotted something wrong? The math is done in your browser with the formula shown on this page, so you can check any result by hand.

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Questions people ask

How much does the government match in the TSP?

For FERS and BRS: 1% of basic pay automatically, plus a match on the first 5% you contribute (100% of the first 3%, 50% of the next 2%). Contribute 5% and you get the full 5% from the agency.

What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?

$24,500 of elective deferrals, plus $8,000 of catch-up at 50 and over, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63, per the IRS.

Do uniformed services members get a TSP match?

Members in the Blended Retirement System do (after two years of service for those who started on or after January 1, 2018). Legacy (non-BRS) uniformed services members and CSRS employees do not.

What is the best TSP calculator?

One that applies the real match formula, caps contributions at the IRS limit, and shows the year-by-year numbers so you can check them. This page does all three, with every figure editable.

Does the agency match catch-up contributions?

TSP.gov says catch-up contributions can be matched for eligible participants, up to 5% of salary in total.

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