Military BRS Continuation Pay Calculator
Estimate the gross and adjusted BRS continuation pay lump sum based on your paygrade, years of service, and service-set multiplier.
Best used when deciding whether to accept continuation pay and comparing the lump sum against the trade-off of extended service commitment.
Complete required fields, then select Calculate.
Estimate confidence: PENDING INPUT
Data as of 2026-01-01
Included in estimate
- Base pay (paygrade + years of service)
- BAS
- BAH (ZIP + dependent status)
- Special pay entered in this scenario
- Cost-of-living factor used by this tool
- Deduction rate assumption shown in this tool
Not included
- Service-specific incentive pays not entered (for example sea pay or flight pay)
- Future pay-table or allowance updates after the data date
- Personal tax credits/deductions beyond the selected deduction assumption
What this tool is for
Use this page when you need to see the dollar value of continuation pay under the Blended Retirement System. It multiplies monthly basic pay by the entered multiplier, then applies a deduction rate for a take-home estimate.
Worked example
Example: an active E-7 with 12 years of service whose service offers a 2.5× multiplier can see the gross lump sum and a planning estimate of take-home after tax before deciding whether to accept.
When to use it
Use it when evaluating the BRS continuation pay offer at year 8–12 and comparing the immediate lump sum against long-term retirement considerations.
When not to use it
Do not use it as the final answer before signing a continuation agreement. The actual multiplier is set by your service each calendar year. Verify the current rate with your personnel office or the DoD annual memo.
What the result means
Gross shows the total pre-tax lump sum. Adjusted shows the planning estimate after the deduction rate. Continuation pay is taxable ordinary income. Verify the actual withholding with your finance office.
Official sources used
Direct links to the official pages this tool relies on.
Site assumptions
- Lump sum = monthly basic pay × multiplier. Monthly basic pay is the current rate for the entered paygrade and years of service.
- Active component multipliers range from 2.5 to 13×; reserve component multipliers range from 0.5 to 6×. The service sets the actual multiplier annually.
- Continuation pay is taxable ordinary income. The deduction rate here is a planning estimate only.
- Accepting continuation pay in BRS commits the member to additional service (typically 3 years active, or 3 good years for reserve).
What is included
- Monthly basic pay lookup by paygrade and years of service
- Gross lump sum from multiplier × basic pay
- Adjusted estimate after entered deduction rate
What is not included
- TSP matching impact or long-term retirement value
- Service commitment trade-off modeling
- State tax treatment
- Any guarantee of what your service will actually offer
Verify with
- The DoD annual continuation pay rates memorandum
- Your service personnel office for the current year multiplier
- A financial counselor before signing a continuation agreement
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official government site?
No. This is an independent planning utility, not an official U.S. Government website. Do not submit CUI, ITAR, classified, or sensitive personal information. Always verify estimates with official sources before making financial decisions.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are planning estimates based on official DFAS, DoD, and service-specific sources. Actual pay may vary based on your specific situation, special pays, tax withholdings, and other factors. Use these tools for planning purposes and verify with your finance office.
When was this data last updated?
Check the source and assumptions sections on this page for the current effective date used by the site. If the linked official pages have changed since then, use the official pages first.
What's the difference between gross and adjusted monthly?
Gross monthly is your total compensation before deductions (base pay + BAS + BAH + special pays). Adjusted monthly is an estimate of your take-home pay after accounting for federal tax, state tax, and FICA deductions.
This estimate uses simplified planning assumptions. Review the linked methodology and official source pages before making financial decisions. Spotted an error or have a suggestion? Send a note.