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%). If you're under BRS, you also face a one-time choice at retirement: take a lump sum or keep the full annuity. Our BRS lump sum vs annuity guide runs the numbers.
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.
How these figures are calculated: each figure is a true High-3 pension: the average of the highest 36 months of base pay (built month by month from the official 2023 through 2026 DFAS tables), times the multiplier for your years of service. It assumes retirement in mid-2026 at the listed rank, which matches the official DoD calculator within about 1 percent. Exact promotion and retirement dates shift the result slightly, so for your personal figure use the free retirement calculator.
Looking for active duty base pay instead? The complete 2026 military pay chart has the full DFAS table for every rank and year of service.
Download the 2026 pay chart (PDF)
A printable one-page chart with every rank and year of service. Free, no signup required.
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) | $2,081 | $2,497 | $2,705 | $3,121 |
| E-6 (SFC/PO1) | $2,468 | $2,975 | $3,223 | $3,718 |
| E-7 (MSG/CPO) | $2,880 | $3,615 | $4,013 | $4,989 |
| E-8 (1SG/SCPO) | $3,151 | $4,071 | $4,543 | $5,583 |
| E-9 (SGM/MCPO) | $3,603 | $4,699 | $5,292 | $6,542 |
E-7 is highlighted because it's the most common retirement rank for enlisted members. At 20 years, you'd take home $2,880/month ($34,560/year) before taxes. By 30 years, that jumps to $4,989/month ($59,868/year), an extra $25,308 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) | $2,458 | $2,949 | $3,195 | $3,686 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG) | $3,114 | $3,737 | $4,048 | $4,671 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT) | $4,237 | $5,085 | $5,508 | $6,356 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR) | $4,930 | $5,935 | $6,429 | $7,419 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR) | $5,464 | $6,934 | $7,582 | $8,749 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT) | $6,077 | $7,904 | $8,786 | $10,721 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML) | $7,752 | $9,497 | $10,288 | $11,932 |
| O-8 (MG/RADM) | $8,317 | $10,673 | $11,652 | $13,444 |
| O-9 (LTG/VADM) | $9,167 | $11,027 | $12,016 | $13,909 |
| O-10 (GEN/ADM) | $9,273 | $11,127 | $12,055 | $13,909 |
O-3 and O-5 are highlighted as the most common officer retirement ranks. An O-5 at 20 years takes home $5,464/month ($65,568/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 | $3,154 | $3,959 | $4,289 | $4,948 |
| W-2 | $3,359 | $4,259 | $4,695 | $5,445 |
| W-3 | $3,763 | $4,862 | $5,392 | $6,468 |
| W-4 | $4,155 | $5,381 | $6,067 | $7,373 |
| W-5 | $4,786 | $5,941 | $6,697 | $8,114 |
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. Wondering where COLA is headed next year? See our 2027 COLA forecast for military retirees.
| Your check before COLA | After the 2.8% COLA | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|
| $2,000/month | $2,056/month | +$56 |
| $3,000/month | $3,084/month | +$84 |
| $4,000/month | $4,112/month | +$112 |
| $5,000/month | $5,140/month | +$140 |
| $6,500/month | $6,682/month | +$182 |
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 | $2,081 | $1,665 | -$416 |
| E-7 | $2,880 | $2,304 | -$576 |
| O-3 | $4,237 | $3,390 | -$847 |
| O-5 | $5,464 | $4,371 | -$1,093 |
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. Weighing a Roth move on that balance? Our TSP Roth conversion guide covers the tax angle.
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). Have a spouse or kids? Dependents raise these VA rates:
| Rank | Retirement (20 yrs) | + 50% VA | + 80% VA | + 100% VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,081 | $3,214 | $4,183 | $6,020 |
| E-7 | $2,880 | $4,013 | $4,982 | $6,819 |
| E-9 | $3,603 | $4,736 | $5,705 | $7,542 |
| O-3 | $4,237 | $5,370 | $6,339 | $8,176 |
| O-5 | $5,464 | $6,597 | $7,566 | $9,403 |
Remember: VA disability is 100% tax-free in all 50 states. Your retirement pay may or may not be taxed depending on your state, and how military retirement is taxed in 2026 varies widely. Use our 2026 military retirement 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: 38 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 = $2,880/month ($34,560/year), the most common enlisted retirement scenario
- O-5 at 20 years = $5,464/month ($65,568/year), a 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 $1,133 to $3,939+/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.
Use the Free Calculator →The chart shows every rank. The worksheet shows yours: 30-year value with COLA, federal tax through the real 2026 brackets, and what your next VA rating step is worth each month. One-time $4.99, or see a sample first.