Thrift Savings Match EstimatorFree online financial calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Estimate standard TSP matching plus the 1% automatic contribution on eligible basic pay.
Estimates only, based on the inputs and assumptions shown. This is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Prices, rates and local rules may change; crypto scenarios do not predict returns. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.
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About the Thrift Savings Match Estimator
The Thrift Savings Match Estimator estimates your annual employee TSP contribution, standard agency matching contribution, and 1% agency automatic contribution from eligible basic pay. It applies dollar-for-dollar matching on the first 3% you contribute and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%, assuming you qualify for these agency contributions.
- Annual eligible basic pay ($)
- Your annual basic pay eligible for TSP agency contributions, entered in dollars, with a default of $80,000.
- Employee contribution (%)
- The percentage of eligible basic pay you contribute to your TSP account, entered as a percentage, with a default of 5%.
Formula and method
For B ≥ 0 and p ≥ 0: r = p / 100; E = B × r; M = B × [min(r, 0.03) + 0.5 × min(max(r − 0.03, 0), 0.02)]; A = B × 0.01; T = E + M + A.
- BAnnual eligible basic pay in dollars.
- pEmployee contribution percentage entered, such as 5 for 5%.
- rEmployee contribution rate expressed as a decimal.
- EEstimated employee annual contribution in dollars.
- MEstimated annual agency matching contribution in dollars, capped at 4% of eligible basic pay.
- AEstimated annual agency automatic contribution in dollars, equal to 1% of eligible basic pay.
- TCombined annual contribution in dollars: employee contributions plus agency matching and automatic contributions.
Convert the employee contribution percentage to a decimal and multiply it by annual eligible basic pay. Calculate the agency match in two tiers: 100% of employee contributions on the first 3% of pay and 50% on the next 2% of pay. Separately calculate the 1% automatic contribution, then add all three amounts. With annual eligible basic pay of $80,000 and an employee contribution of 5%, the employee contributes $4,000.00, the agency match is $3,200.00, the automatic contribution is $800.00, and the combined annual contribution is $8,000.00.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Annual eligible basic pay80000 $
- Employee contribution5 %
Results
- Employee annual contribution$4,000.00
- Agency matching contribution$3,200.00
- Agency automatic contribution$800.00
- Combined annual contribution$8,000.00
How to use the Thrift Savings Match Estimator
- 1Enter your annual eligible basic pay in dollars; the default is $80,000.
- 2Enter the percentage of eligible basic pay you plan to contribute; the default is 5%.
- 3Review the estimated employee contribution and the agency match calculated using the two matching tiers.
- 4Review the separate 1% automatic contribution and the combined annual contribution.
- 5Check your eligibility, pay-period contribution schedule, and applicable contribution limits before using the estimate for planning.
Reading your result
Employee annual contribution is the amount deducted from your pay for TSP savings: $4,000.00 with the default inputs. Agency matching contribution is the employer amount tied to your contribution rate: $3,200.00. Agency automatic contribution is the separate 1% of eligible basic pay: $800.00. Combined annual contribution adds these three rows to give $8,000.00; it is an annual deposit estimate, not an account balance or a projection of investment growth.
Limitations
This estimator assumes you are eligible for standard TSP matching and the 1% automatic contribution throughout the year, with the same employee contribution rate applied each pay period. Not all TSP participants qualify, and eligibility timing and vesting requirements can affect benefits. Actual matching is calculated by pay period, so uneven contributions or reaching an employee contribution limit early can reduce the match. The calculation does not enforce IRS contribution limits or account for catch-up rules, pay changes, payroll rounding, special pay, investment returns, fees, taxes, withdrawals, or existing balances. Use eligible basic pay rather than total compensation that includes ineligible allowances or other pay.
Common questions
What employee contribution rate earns the maximum standard TSP match?+
Contributing at least 5% of eligible basic pay each eligible pay period earns the maximum standard match of 4% of pay. The separate 1% automatic contribution brings total agency contributions to 5% of pay.
Why is the agency match $3,200.00 rather than $4,000.00 with the default inputs?+
At $80,000 of eligible basic pay and a 5% employee contribution rate, the first 3% is matched dollar for dollar and the next 2% is matched at half that rate. The resulting match is 4% of pay, or $3,200.00; the separate $800.00 automatic contribution brings total agency contributions to $4,000.00.
Do I receive the 1% automatic contribution if I contribute nothing?+
If you are eligible for the automatic contribution, it does not require an employee contribution. The estimator therefore includes 1% of eligible basic pay even at a 0% employee rate, but calculates no matching contribution at that rate.
Will contributing more than 5% increase the estimated agency match?+
No. The standard agency match stops increasing once your employee rate reaches 5%. A higher rate increases the estimated employee and combined contributions, but the agency match remains capped at 4% and the automatic contribution remains 1% of eligible basic pay.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.