The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the federal government's retirement savings program — and for military members, it is one of the most powerful tax-advantaged tools available. But it only works if you're contributing at the right level. Every year, the IRS adjusts the maximum contribution limits for defined contribution retirement plans, and the TSP follows these same limits.

2025 Contribution Limits at a Glance

According to TSP.gov, the 2026 elective deferral limit — the maximum you can contribute to the TSP from your own paycheck — is $24,500 for members under age 50. This limit applies whether you choose traditional (pre-tax) contributions, Roth (after-tax) contributions, or a combination of both.

If you are age 50 or older by December 31, 2026, you are eligible for catch-up contributions. The 2026 catch-up contribution limit is an additional $8,000, bringing your total potential contribution to $32,500 for the year.

For members age 60, 61, 62, or 63, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduced a higher catch-up contribution limit beginning in 2025. Members in that specific age range may contribute an additional $11,250 in catch-up contributions instead of the standard $8,000 — meaning their total limit could reach $35,750.

Military-Specific Rules

Active duty servicemembers under the Blended Retirement System (BRS) receive automatic government contributions — 1% of basic pay — and matching contributions up to 4% of basic pay after two years of service. These government contributions do not count against your personal elective deferral limit. The TSP publishes the full matching schedule at tsp.gov.

Members receiving tax-exempt combat pay may be eligible to contribute beyond the standard elective deferral limit, up to the annual additions limit. The IRS sets this at $72,000 for 2026 (including government contributions and any tax-exempt pay contributions). If you are deployed to a combat zone and receiving tax-excluded income, consult your finance office about how this applies to your situation.

How to Maximize Without Feeling the Pinch

Reaching the $24,500 limit may seem out of reach, but even small, consistent increases matter. The TSP's own projections, available in the TSP Benefits Calculator on tsp.gov, illustrate how an additional 1–2% contribution rate today compounds significantly over a 20-year career.

If you are enrolled in BRS, contributing at least 5% of your basic pay captures the full government match — that is effectively a 5% pay raise on the portion of your retirement savings. Not contributing at least 5% means leaving government money on the table.

Changing Your Contributions

Active duty members change their TSP contribution amounts through myPay (the Defense Finance and Accounting Service portal at mypay.dfas.mil). Federal civilian employees make changes through their agency HR portal or the Employee Personal Page at tsp.gov. Changes typically take effect within 1–2 pay periods.

The Deadline Reminder

TSP contributions are made per pay period throughout the year. There is no "lump sum" catch-up deadline like there is for IRAs. If you haven't contributed the maximum by December 31, the difference is simply gone for that year — unlike IRAs, you cannot make prior-year contributions to the TSP after December 31.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The 2026 TSP elective deferral limit is $24,500 for members under 50, plus $8,000 catch-up if you're 50 or older
  • Members age 60–63 have a higher catch-up limit of $11,250 under SECURE 2.0 (introduced in 2025)
  • BRS members should always contribute at least 5% to capture the full government match
  • Combat zone contributors may be eligible for higher limits — check with your finance office
  • Change contribution amounts through myPay (military) or tsp.gov (federal civilian)