Compare the Blended Retirement System against the traditional pension side-by-side with real numbers.
With low TSP contributions, Legacy may be better — the full 2.5%/year multiplier beats BRS's reduced 2% if you don't maximize the TSP match. Consider increasing contributions to >5% of base pay.
BRS favors those who leave before 20 years or maximize TSP. Legacy favors those who serve full 20+ and don't invest elsewhere.
BRS combines a smaller defined pension (2% per year of service vs 2.5% in Legacy) with government TSP matching of up to 4% after 2 years of service and a Continuation Pay bonus. It benefits members who may not serve a full 20 years.
Legacy (High-3) pays 2.5% of your average highest 3 years of base pay per year of service. At 20 years, that is 50% of your average high-3 base pay for life. There is no government TSP match.
Service members who entered the military before January 1, 2018 with fewer than 12 years of service had a one-time opt-in window for BRS. Those who joined on or after January 1, 2018 are automatically enrolled in BRS.
It depends on your career plans. Legacy pays more if you serve 20+ years and do not invest heavily in TSP. BRS provides more value if you leave before 20 years, because you keep the TSP match even without a pension. Members who maximize TSP under BRS can come out ahead of Legacy over a full career.
Sources: DoD Blended Retirement System, DFAS Retirement Guide, TSP.gov. Last updated March 2026.