Opted into BRS? Don’t forget this important step

A major benefit of the Blended Retirement System (BRS) is the free money you can now get from your service: Each time you contribute to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement account, your service will match it, up to 5 percent of your pay.

The Blended Retirement System combines servicemember’s traditional legacy retirement pension with distributions from the Thrift Savings Plan, creating a portable retirement option. The BRS will grandfather in servicemembers serving as of December 2017 under the legacy retirement system. No one currently serving will be automatically switched to the BRS, according the DoD’s Military Compensation website. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)