20-Year Active Pension — 50% High-3 Base Pay For Life
Service members who complete 20 years of active service receive a pension equal to 2.5% × years of service × highest 36 months average base pay (Legacy / High-3 system) OR 2.0% × years × High-3 (BRS system). At exactly 20 years, that's 50% (Legacy) or 40% (BRS) of average base pay, payable for life starting the month after retirement. Cost-of-living adjustments annual. Inflation-protected.
How to access
Restrictions
Legacy (High-3) recipients = those who entered before 2018-01-01 and stayed in Legacy when BRS option came. BRS recipients (entered 2018+) get a smaller 2% multiplier in exchange for TSP matching during service. At 20 years E-7 base pay (~$60K avg) Legacy retiree = ~$30K/year for life, before COLA escalation. At 30 years O-5 (~$110K base) = ~$82,500/year Legacy. Stack with TSP withdrawal at 59.5,
Boon Atlas is an independent benefits and perks directory. Boon Atlas is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or any military branch. Confirm benefit details directly with the company, program, or official source before relying on any information listed here.
Get one benefit like this every day.
We surface one verified benefit per day, filtered by service status. Most veterans have never heard of half of what's in here.
Email list coming soon.