The 2026 military pay raise of 3.8% means higher retirement checks for everyone who serves 20+ years. Below you'll find complete retirement pay charts for enlisted and officer ranks at the most common retirement points: 20, 24, 26, and 30 years of service.
All figures use the High-3 retirement system (50% of your highest 36-month average base pay at 20 years, plus 2.5% for each additional year). If you're under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), multiply these amounts by 0.80 for your pension portion (BRS uses a 2.0% multiplier instead of 2.5%).
Quick Reference: Find your rank in the charts below, then look across to your expected years of service. That's your estimated 2026 monthly retirement pay before taxes. Already retired? Current retirees received a 2.8% COLA increase to their existing pay.
2026 Enlisted Retirement Pay Chart (High-3)
Monthly retirement pay for enlisted ranks E-5 through E-9. These are the ranks most commonly held at retirement-eligible years of service.
| Rank | 20 Years (50%) | 24 Years (60%) | 26 Years (65%) | 30 Years (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 (SSG/PO2) | $2,224 | $2,669 | $2,891 | $3,336 |
| E-6 (SFC/PO1) | $2,571 | $3,085 | $3,343 | $3,857 |
| E-7 (MSG/CPO) | $2,969 | $3,562 | $3,859 | $4,453 |
| E-8 (1SG/SCPO) | $3,408 | $4,089 | $4,430 | $5,112 |
| E-9 (SGM/MCPO) | $3,839 | $4,607 | $4,991 | $5,759 |
E-7 is highlighted because it's the most common retirement rank for enlisted members. At 20 years, you'd take home $2,969/month ($35,628/year) before taxes. By 30 years, that jumps to $4,453/month ($53,436/year) — an extra $17,808 per year for serving 10 more years.
2026 Officer Retirement Pay Chart (High-3)
Monthly retirement pay for officer ranks O-1 through O-7+. Most officers retire between O-4 and O-6.
| Rank | 20 Years (50%) | 24 Years (60%) | 26 Years (65%) | 30 Years (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 (2LT/ENS) | $2,081 | $2,497 | $2,705 | $3,122 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG) | $2,637 | $3,164 | $3,428 | $3,955 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT) | $3,927 | $4,712 | $5,105 | $5,890 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR) | $4,264 | $5,117 | $5,543 | $6,396 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR) | $4,594 | $5,513 | $5,972 | $6,891 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT) | $5,508 | $6,610 | $7,161 | $8,262 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML) | $6,510 | $7,812 | $8,463 | $9,765 |
| O-8 (MG/RADM) | $7,438 | $8,926 | $9,669 | $11,157 |
| O-9 (LTG/VADM) | $8,332 | $9,998 | $10,832 | $12,498 |
| O-10 (GEN/ADM) | $8,905 | $10,686 | $11,577 | $13,358 |
O-3 and O-5 are highlighted as the most common officer retirement ranks. An O-5 at 20 years takes home $4,594/month ($55,128/year), making it one of the strongest military pension values when combined with VA disability benefits.
2026 Warrant Officer Retirement Pay Chart (High-3)
| Rank | 20 Years (50%) | 24 Years (60%) | 26 Years (65%) | 30 Years (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $2,497 | $2,996 | $3,246 | $3,746 |
| W-2 | $2,872 | $3,446 | $3,734 | $4,308 |
| W-3 | $3,269 | $3,923 | $4,250 | $4,904 |
| W-4 | $3,578 | $4,294 | $4,651 | $5,367 |
| W-5 | $4,024 | $4,829 | $5,231 | $6,036 |
How the 2026 Pay Raise Affects Your Retirement
Whether you're about to retire or already retired, the 2026 increases put more money in your pocket:
If You're Retiring in 2026 (New Retirees)
The 3.8% base pay raise increases the High-3 average used to calculate your pension. Your retirement pay is based on:
Years of Service × 2.5% × Average of Highest 36 Months Base Pay
Since your final year of active duty will use the new 2026 pay tables, your High-3 average goes up, and so does your monthly pension.
If You're Already Retired (COLA for Current Retirees)
Current retirees receive a separate 2.8% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) applied directly to their existing retirement check. This is automatic — no action needed.
| Rank at Retirement | 2025 Pay (20 yrs) | 2026 Pay (2.8% COLA) | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,143 | $2,203 | +$60 |
| E-7 | $2,860 | $2,940 | +$80 |
| E-9 | $3,698 | $3,802 | +$104 |
| O-3 | $3,783 | $3,889 | +$106 |
| O-5 | $4,426 | $4,550 | +$124 |
BRS (Blended Retirement System) Pay Chart
If you joined the military on or after January 1, 2018 (or opted into BRS), your pension multiplier is 2.0% per year instead of 2.5%. That means 40% at 20 years instead of 50%. However, BRS includes a government TSP match of up to 5% of your base pay.
| Rank | High-3 (20 yrs) | BRS (20 yrs) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,224 | $1,779 | -$445 |
| E-7 | $2,969 | $2,375 | -$594 |
| O-3 | $3,927 | $3,142 | -$785 |
| O-5 | $4,594 | $3,675 | -$919 |
BRS members: While the pension is 20% less, the government TSP match can make up the difference and more — especially with compound growth over decades. An E-7 contributing 5% with the 5% match over 20 years could accumulate $300,000+ in TSP depending on returns.
Retirement Pay + VA Disability: Total Monthly Income
Most military retirees also receive VA disability compensation. Here's what the total picture looks like for 2026 (at 20 years, veteran only — no dependents):
| Rank | Retirement (20 yrs) | + 50% VA | + 80% VA | + 100% VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,224 | $3,329 | $4,275 | $6,066 |
| E-7 | $2,969 | $4,074 | $5,020 | $6,811 |
| E-9 | $3,839 | $4,944 | $5,890 | $7,681 |
| O-3 | $3,927 | $5,032 | $5,978 | $7,769 |
| O-5 | $4,594 | $5,699 | $6,645 | $8,436 |
Remember: VA disability is 100% tax-free in all 50 states. Your retirement pay may or may not be taxed depending on your state. Use our calculator to see your state-specific take-home pay.
How to Use This Pay Chart
- Find your rank in the enlisted, officer, or warrant officer chart above
- Look across to your expected years of service at retirement (20, 24, 26, or 30)
- That's your estimated monthly retirement pay before taxes under the High-3 system
- If you're under BRS, multiply by 0.80 for your pension portion
- Add your VA disability (tax-free) for your total monthly income
- Check your state's tax treatment — 33 states don't tax military retirement
Important: These figures are estimates based on 2026 pay tables at the maximum time-in-grade for each rank. Your actual retirement pay depends on your specific High-3 average, which includes your last 36 months of base pay. Use our calculator for a personalized estimate.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 pay raise of 3.8% increases retirement pay for all new retirees
- Current retirees get a 2.8% COLA applied automatically to their checks
- E-7 at 20 years = $2,969/month ($35,628/year) — the most common enlisted retirement scenario
- O-5 at 20 years = $4,594/month ($55,128/year) — strong officer pension
- BRS pensions are 20% less, but the government TSP match compensates over time
- VA disability is always tax-free and can add $1,105 to $3,842+/month on top of retirement
- Your state matters — living in the wrong state can cost $3,000+ per year in taxes on retirement pay
Get Your Personalized 2026 Retirement Estimate
Enter your exact rank, years of service, VA disability rating, and state to see your total take-home pay — including what civilian salary you need to maintain your lifestyle.
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