TSP Contribution Calculator 2026
Find the exact per-pay-period election to hit your TSP limit by year end, see how much agency match you are capturing versus leaving behind, and get warned if you are on track to front-load and lose match.
Reviewed by Jonathan D., 20-year federal employee · Formulas verified against TSP.gov ·
The match question no other calculator answers
Age 60–63 qualifies for the SECURE 2.0 “super catch-up” ($11,250 vs $8,000). At 64+, the limit reverts to the standard $8,000 catch-up.
Most federal employees have 26 pay periods in 2026. If your agency issues 27 paychecks, update this field accordingly.
Full-year targets assuming contributions start PP1. Adjust “periods elapsed” to calculate your current mid-year target.
How much should I contribute to TSP each pay period?
Contribute at least 5% of basic pay every pay period — that captures the full FERS agency match. To max out the TSP in 2026, the even-spread election is $942 per pay period (under age 50), $1,250 (ages 50–59 or 64+), or $1,375 (ages 60–63, the super catch-up). Starting mid-year? The calculator above adjusts the target to your remaining pay periods.
2026 TSP contribution limits by age
Verified against IRS IR-2025-111 and IRS Notice 2025-67 (published November 2025). The super catch-up for ages 60–63 is a SECURE 2.0 provision effective since 2025.
| Age Bracket | Elective Deferral | Catch-Up | Annual Total | Per PP (÷26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — | $24,500 | $942.31 |
| 50–59 | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 | $1,250.00 |
| 60–63 (SECURE 2.0) | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 | $1,375.00 |
| 64+ | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 | $1,250.00 |
How the FERS agency match works
The FERS match is calculated per pay period, based on your contribution that period as a percentage of that period's basic pay. If you contribute nothing in a period (because you already hit your annual limit), the agency contributes only the automatic 1% — the 4% matching is permanently lost for that period.
| You contribute | Agency auto 1% | Agency matching | Total agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| 2% | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 3% | 1% | 3% | 4% |
| 4% | 1% | 3.5% | 4.5% |
| 5%+ | 1% | 4% | 5% (max) |
The formula in plain English: the agency always deposits 1% of your basic pay whether or not you contribute. On top of that, it matches 100% of the first 3% you contribute, then 50% of the next 2%. Anything above 5% receives no additional match. So the magic number is 5% — at $100,000 salary that is $192/PP, and it captures the full $5,000/year in agency contributions.
Why front-loading can cost you thousands
Some employees front-load their TSP — setting a high election to reach the annual limit as early as possible, believing it maximizes compound growth. For employees under age 50, this is a costly mistake. Once the $24,500 limit is reached, TSP contributions stop automatically. For every period you contribute $0, the agency matching portion (4%) is suspended — only the automatic 1% continues.
Employees age 50 and older are protected by the TSP spillover method: once regular contributions hit $24,500, the system automatically routes additional contributions to the catch-up bucket. Contributions never stop, so match is preserved all 26 periods — as long as total contributions stay under the combined limit.
How to calculate a mid-year TSP adjustment
If you are already several pay periods into the year, the even-spread target changes. The formula:
This is why the calculator asks for periods elapsed — the full-year even-spread of $942/PP only applies if you start from PP1. A mid-year course-correction requires a higher per-period election for the remaining periods. Enter your actual periods elapsed above for your personalized target.
TSP contribution calculator — frequently asked questions
The questions federal employees ask most about the 2026 limits, catch-up rules, agency match, and Roth vs. traditional elections.
How much should I contribute per pay period to max out my TSP in 2026?
The annual TSP limit for 2026 is $24,500 for employees under age 50. Divide by 26 federal biweekly pay periods: $24,500 ÷ 26 = $942.31 per pay period. Round down to $942 to avoid any edge cases. If you are age 50–59 or 64+, the combined limit is $32,500, which works out to exactly $1,250 per pay period. If you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 in 2026, the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up raises your limit to $35,750, or exactly $1,375 per pay period.
What is the TSP catch-up contribution limit for 2026, and what is the "super catch-up"?
Employees age 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 beyond the regular $24,500 limit, for a total of $32,500. Employees who turn age 60, 61, 62, or 63 anytime during 2026 qualify for the SECURE 2.0 "super catch-up," which replaces the $8,000 with $11,250, bringing their total to $35,750. At age 64 and beyond, the limit reverts to the standard $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total). Both figures come from IRS Notice 2025-67, effective for calendar year 2026.
Do I lose my agency match if I max out my TSP early in the year?
Yes, if you are under age 50. Agency matching is calculated each pay period based on that period's employee contribution. If you hit the $24,500 annual limit in, say, pay period 14, contributions automatically stop and you receive no matching for pay periods 15 through 26 — only the 1% automatic agency contribution continues. This can cost thousands of dollars in permanently lost match. Employees age 50 and older are protected by the TSP spillover method, which automatically redirects contributions to the catch-up bucket once the regular limit is reached, so contributions (and match) continue all 26 periods.
What is the difference between Roth TSP and traditional TSP for the contribution limit?
The $24,500 (or $32,500 / $35,750) annual limit applies to the combined total of traditional and Roth TSP contributions — it is not a per-account limit. You can split your contributions in any proportion between traditional and Roth, but the combined total cannot exceed the applicable annual limit. Note: if your prior-year FICA wages from your current agency exceeded $150,000, SECURE 2.0 requires that your catch-up contributions (the amount above $24,500) be directed to Roth TSP only; the base $24,500 may still go traditional.
When does FERS agency match vest, and does contributing less than 5% affect vesting?
The agency automatic 1% contribution vests after 3 years of federal service (2 years for congressional employees). The agency matching contributions (up to 4%) vest immediately — from day one of employment. Your own contributions are always 100% yours immediately. However, vesting only matters if you separate from federal service; while you remain employed, all contributions stay in your account regardless of vesting status. Contributing less than 5% does not affect the vesting schedule — it only reduces how much matching you receive in the first place.