TSP Growth & Withdrawal Calculator
Project your TSP balance growth, calculate safe withdrawal rates for retirement, and see your total income including FERS annuity and Social Security. No sign-up, no email, no phone number — results are instant.
Reviewed by Jonathan D., 20-year federal employee · Formulas verified against TSP.gov ·
Given regardless of your contribution$800
You contribute 3.0%, agency matches 3.0%$2,400
You contribute 2.0%, agency matches 1.0%$800
Who this TSP calculator is for
- FERS employees projecting what their balance grows to by a target retirement age, with the 5% agency match included.
- Employees 50 and over modeling catch-up contributions and the late-career compounding runway.
- Anyone weighing Traditional vs. Roth — including the in-plan Roth conversions TSP added in 2026.
- Separating and retiring employees stress-testing a withdrawal rate against a 30-year retirement.
Your contributions come from your paycheck -- look up your exact GS pay with locality to set the right percentage.
2026 TSP contribution limits
The IRS sets annual limits on TSP contributions. SECURE 2.0 added a "super catch-up" for ages 60-63 starting in 2025.
| Category | Annual limit | Per pay period |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (all ages) | $24,500 | $942.31 |
| Catch-up (age 50+) | + $8,000 | + $307.69 |
| Total (age 50+) | $32,500 | $1,250.00 |
| Super catch-up (ages 60-63) | + $11,250 | + $432.69 |
| Total (ages 60-63) | $35,750 | $1,375.00 |
How TSP agency matching works
FERS employees get matching up to 5% of basic pay -- essentially free money, an immediate 100% return on the first dollars you contribute.
| You contribute | Agency auto | Agency match | Total to TSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| 3% | 1% | 3% | 7% |
| 5%+ | 1% | 4% | 10% |
A 25-year TSP growth model
What steady contributions actually compound to: a 35-year-old GS-12 earning $80,000, contributing 5% with the full 5% agency total, starting from a $50,000 balance at a 7% average return.
| Year | Age | Contributions to date (you + agency) | Projected balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 36 | $8,000 | $61,500 |
| Year 5 | 40 | $40,000 | $116,100 |
| Year 10 | 45 | $80,000 | $208,900 |
| Year 15 | 50 | $120,000 | $339,000 |
| Year 20 | 55 | $160,000 | $521,400 |
| Year 25 | 60 | $200,000 | $777,400 |
The five TSP funds
Five individual funds, plus Lifecycle (L) funds that auto-rebalance toward your target retirement date.
TSP fees are among the lowest anywhere -- about 0.04% (4 cents per $100), versus 0.5-1.5% for a typical 401(k). Over 30 years that gap saves tens of thousands of dollars.
Deep-dive any fund — returns history, holdings, and how it fits an allocation: G Fund · F Fund · C Fund · S Fund · I Fund — or read the strategy guide: Best TSP allocation for 2026.
Roth in-plan conversions
Starting January 28, 2026, you can convert Traditional TSP to Roth TSP directly inside your account -- no rolling out to an IRA first.
Best for: low-income years, market downturns (convert more shares for the same tax), reducing future RMDs, or building tax-free retirement funds.
Traditional vs. Roth TSP
Pro tip: you can split contributions between Traditional and Roth for tax diversification. Agency matching always goes to Traditional, regardless of your election.
TSP withdrawal calculator: how it works
The withdrawal mode above models three ways to draw down your balance in retirement: the 4% rule (withdraw 4% of the starting balance, adjusted for inflation), a fixed monthly amount of your choosing, and required minimum distributions on the IRS schedule that begins at age 73 or 75 based on birth year and applies only to the Traditional balance. Each projection shows how long the money lasts and what the balance looks like year by year.
TSP calculator — frequently asked questions
The questions federal employees ask most about TSP growth, withdrawals, the agency match, and the rules that change what you keep.
How much will my TSP be worth at retirement?
Your TSP balance depends on your current balance, years to retirement, contribution amount, agency match, and expected return rate. Our calculator projects growth using conservative (5%), moderate (7%), and aggressive (9%) scenarios.
What is a safe TSP withdrawal rate?
The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your balance in year 1, adjusted for inflation annually. This historically lasts 30+ years. More conservative: 3.5%, more aggressive: 4.5-5%.
How does TSP agency matching work?
FERS employees receive automatic 1% plus matching: 100% match on first 3% you contribute, 50% on next 2%. Contribute 5% of salary to get the full 5% agency match (10% total going into TSP). This is an immediate 100% return on your money.
What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026: $24,500 regular limit ($942/pay period). Age 50+: add $8,000 catch-up = $32,500 total ($1,250/PP). Ages 60-63: super catch-up of $11,250 = $35,750 total ($1,375/PP). Spread contributions across all 26 pay periods to avoid losing matching.
Should I choose Traditional or Roth TSP?
Traditional: tax deduction now, taxable withdrawals later - best if high earner or near retirement. Roth: no deduction now, tax-free withdrawals later - best if early career or lower bracket. You can split contributions between both for tax diversification.
What happens if I max out my TSP early?
If you hit the annual limit before your last pay period, agency matching STOPS for the remaining pay periods. Solution: spread contributions evenly ($942/PP for under 50, $1,250/PP for 50+, $1,375/PP for ages 60-63).
What are the TSP fund options?
G Fund (government securities, never loses), F Fund (bonds, low risk), C Fund (S&P 500, moderate risk), S Fund (small cap stocks, higher risk), I Fund (international stocks, higher risk), plus L Funds (lifecycle/target-date that auto-rebalance based on retirement year).
Can I rollover a 401(k) or IRA into TSP?
Yes. You can roll Traditional 401(k), 403(b), 457, IRA, and SIMPLE IRA into Traditional TSP. Roth 401(k)/403(b)/457 can roll into Roth TSP. However, you cannot roll Roth IRA into TSP. TSP has some of the lowest fees in the industry (0.04%).
When do TSP Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) start?
RMDs generally begin at age 73 if you were born from 1951 through 1959, or age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. They apply to your Traditional TSP balance; Roth TSP balances have no lifetime RMD for the participant beginning in 2024.
What is the TSP age 55 rule?
If you separate from federal service during or after the year you turn 55, you can withdraw from TSP without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. This is better than IRA rules (which require age 59 1/2). Special provisions employees (LEO, firefighters) qualify at age 50.
Can I access TSP before age 55 without penalty?
Yes, using the 72(t) rule (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments or SEPP). You commit to fixed annual withdrawals for 5 years or until age 59 1/2, whichever is longer. Three IRS-approved calculation methods exist: RMD, Fixed Amortization, and Fixed Annuitization. Warning: breaking the 72(t) rules triggers retroactive 10% penalties on all prior withdrawals.
Does this calculator work for CSRS employees?
Yes. CSRS employees participate in TSP but receive no agency matching (matching is a FERS benefit). Set the agency match assumption to zero by treating your contribution as the only inflow — the growth and withdrawal projections work identically.
Does this calculator work for military BRS members?
Yes. Blended Retirement System matching mirrors FERS: 1% automatic plus matching up to a 5% contribution. Enter your basic pay and contribution rate. For the full BRS picture including the pension multiplier and continuation pay, see our BRS vs High-3 calculator.
Related guides & resources
Deep dives on TSP, FERS retirement income, and federal benefits planning.