What to Expect from a Military Retirement Calculator

A military retirement calculator is a special online toolHigh-3 Year Calculator
designed to help people in the military plan for theirThe High-3 year average retirement system applies
retirement.to personnel who entered service on or after
Retiring military personnel are eligible to join one ofSeptember 8, 1980 and before August 1, 1986 or to
three retirement systems which are available topersonnel who entered service on or after August 1,
those who have been on active duty for 20 years or1986 and chose this plan without accepting a 'career
more.status bonus'.
It is the start date of service, when joining theThe same kinds of information and variation options
military, which determines which retirement systemused in the Final Pay calculator can be entered into
applies to an individual. The start date also determinesthis calculator
whether a choice can be made or not on whichREDUX Calculator
retirement system applies.This system applies only to personnel who join the
The three retirement systems, all of which use aservice after July 31, 1986 and offers a lump sum
different military retirement calculator, are:-career status bonus in exchange for a reduced
* Final Paypension.
* High-3 Year AverageEligible personnel are able to make a choice between
* REDUXthis system and the High-3 year system and a
Each military retirement calculator estimates eligiblemilitary retirement calculator is available to help make
pay during retirement years. Information input can bethe choice between the two systems.
varied according to different retirement expectationsExpected income payable under the Final Pay and
and current economic information.High 3 systems are annually increased according to
Final Pay Calculatorthe value of the consumer price index. The Redux
The final pay retirement system applies to personnelsystem is also cost of living protected but at a
who entered service before September 8, 1980.percentage slightly lower than that available with the
The calculator works by entering - expectedother two systems.
retirement grade, years of service and age, whichEach online military retirement calculator has the ability
then estimates retirement pay. Some variation of theto print or save information that is generated during
results can be achieved by applying differentan online session. This is useful when reviewing the
economic assumptions such as inflation, annual activeinformation at a later date.
duty pay raise and tax rate.