How is military retirement pay calculated?

Military retirement pay is calculated using the formula: Years of Service × 2.5% × High-3 Average (for High-3 system) or Years of Service × 2.0% × High-3 Average (for BRS). With 20 years of service under High-3, you receive 50% of your highest 36-month base pay average.

What civilian salary do I need after military retirement?

The civilian salary you need depends on your military retirement pay, VA disability (if any), state taxes, and desired lifestyle. Our calculator factors in all these elements to show you the exact civilian income needed to maintain your standard of living.

How does divorce affect my military retirement pay?

Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), state courts can award your former spouse up to 50% of your disposable retired pay. The amount depends on the coverture fraction (months married during service divided by total service months) and the court-ordered percentage. For divorces after December 23, 2016, the Frozen Benefit Rule may apply, limiting the calculation to your rank and years of service at the time of divorce rather than retirement.

Military Retirement Calculator

Find the civilian salary you need after factoring in retirement pay, VA disability, and taxes

Military Retirement Pay Auto-Calculated

Retirement Rank

Years of Service

Extra months count toward your multiplier: 24 yrs 3 mo pays 60.625% under High-3.

Retirement System

Joined before Jan 1, 2018? You're likely High-3.

Calculated Monthly Retirement Pay (Gross): $0

High-3 method: 50% × your High-3 average (highest 36 months, 2023 to 2026 tables)

Pay data: official DFAS tables effective January 1, 2026, verified July 2026. See the full 2026 military pay chart.

Pension math: a true High-3 average of your highest 36 months, built from the official 2023 to 2026 DFAS tables and assuming retirement in 2026 at your entered rank. Matches the DoD methodology within about 1 percent; exact promotion and retirement dates shift the result slightly.

Divorce Impact on Retirement Pay Optional

I was divorced during military service

How is the former spouse's share determined?

Former Spouse's Percentage of Disposable Retired Pay

Enter the percentage from your divorce decree (max 50% of disposable retired pay per USFSPA)

Frozen Benefit Rule applies

Applies to divorces finalized after Dec 23, 2016, while still on active duty. The former spouse's share is based on your rank and years of service at the time of divorce, not at retirement.

Rank at Time of Divorce

Years of Service at Time of Divorce

Former Spouse's Monthly Share: $0

Based on USFSPA (10 U.S.C. § 1408)

Your Remaining Retirement Pay: $0

If your VA rating is under 50%, this share is high. You waive retired pay dollar for dollar to receive VA compensation, and the waived portion is not divisible (Mansell v. Mansell). At 50% or higher with 20 years, CRDP restores that pay and it stays divisible, which is what this figure assumes.

Read our complete USFSPA guide for detailed explanations of the coverture fraction, frozen benefit rule, and what's NOT divisible.

VA Disability Compensation

Disability Rating

Dependents (affects 30%+ ratings)

Spouse

My spouse needs Aid & Attendance Regular help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating). Adds the VA's set amount for your rating.

Children (under 18)

School Children (18-23 in school)

Dependent Parents

VA Disability Compensation (Tax-Free): $0

2026 rates including all dependents

Monthly Expenses

Total Monthly Expenses (or enter details below)

Additional Household Income

Include Spouse's Salary

Tax Information

Filing Status

Retirement State Smart Tax Calculator

Expected Civilian Salary (optional)

Annual gross pay from a second career, before taxes. A salary fills the lower tax brackets first, so it changes what your pension itself is taxed at in states with graduated rates.

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Your Target Civilian Salary

Gross annual salary needed

The Breakdown

Monthly Expenses $0

Military Retirement (after tax) $0

VA Disability (tax-free) $0

Total Military Income $0

Monthly Gap to Fill $0

Required Net Civilian Salary (monthly) $0

Equivalent Hourly Rate $0

Based on 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year

Your numbers, on paper

Your $0/mo pension is worth about $0 over 30 years.

The Retirement Worksheet turns the numbers you just entered into a printable 7-page PDF: your pension's 30-year value with COLA, what it costs in all 50 states, the dollar value of your next VA rating, an SBP snapshot, and a transition checklist. Add the Personalized Plan written from your answers and it runs to 10 pages or more, charts included. $4.99, one time.

Get my full worksheet, $4.99 → See a sample first

Next Steps

✓ Use this number when negotiating job offers
✓ Consider cost of living differences by location
✓ Factor in employer benefits (health insurance, 401k match)
✓ Remember: VA disability is tax-free and doesn't count toward income

Know when your numbers change

Get notified when we update pay tables, COLA rates, or tax rules that affect your estimate.

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Rates verified July 2026 against DFAS, VA.gov, IRS, and state revenue sources. How the numbers get checked

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Free 2026 Military Retirement Pay Chart (PDF)

A printable one-page chart with every rank and year of service. No signup required.