TSP Match Calculator: $4,250 Agency Match on $85,000 at 5% Contribution
Use this guide to understand the assumptions, inputs, results, and next steps behind the calculator.
Created by Luis Gonzalez · Last updated August 28, 2026
An agency match is money your employer contributes to your Thrift Savings Plan based on your own contributions. This calculator estimates your annual contribution, agency match, total annual deposits, match rate, and a projected balance based on the selected return and time horizon.
In the default example, a $85,000 salary and 5% contribution produce $4,250 in employee contributions and $4,250 in modeled agency contributions. Together, that is $8,500 per year before investment growth. Compare the result with the TSP Calculator or TSP Contribution Calculator.
Default Match Calculation
The defaults are $85,000 salary, a 5% contribution rate, 25 years to retirement, $50,000 current balance, and a 7% assumed annual return. The calculator breaks the agency contribution into three parts:
- Automatic agency contribution: $85,000 × 1% = $850
- Dollar-for-dollar match on the first 3%: $85,000 × 3% = $2,550
- 50-cent match on the next 2%: $85,000 × 2% × 50% = $850
- Total agency contribution: $850 + $2,550 + $850 = $4,250
The employee contribution is $85,000 × 5% = $4,250. Total annual deposits are $4,250 + $4,250 = $8,500. The match rate is agency match ÷ employee contribution × 100: $4,250 ÷ $4,250 × 100 = 100%.
The model’s projected balance after 25 years is $808,988. This is a projection, not a guaranteed balance; it assumes the same contribution amounts and return assumption over time. The calculator’s projection begins with the $50,000 current balance and adds contributions and modeled growth each year.
How to Use the Inputs
Enter annual salary, employee contribution rate, service type, expected annual return, years to retirement, and current TSP balance. The contribution rate is a percentage of salary. The calculator displays annual dollars and a comparison across contribution rates from 0% through 10%.
The supplied calculation applies the same match breakdown in its formula, regardless of the service-type input. Confirm whether the rules shown apply to your position and verify your actual payroll contributions in your account. TSP provides current details on matching contributions and eligibility.
To compare contribution growth with a full retirement projection, use the TSP growth calculator. If you are comparing employer-plan savings, see the 401(k) Calculator.
Match Rules and Why 5% Matters
Under the contribution structure modeled here, the agency automatically contributes 1% of basic pay, then matches employee contributions up to an additional 5%: dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%. The maximum modeled agency contribution is therefore 5% of salary.
That means contributing 5% captures the full modeled match. Contributing less can leave some match unclaimed; contributing more may still increase your own retirement savings, but it does not increase the modeled match beyond the 5% salary level. The match is not the same thing as a guaranteed investment return: it is an additional contribution, while investments can rise or fall.
For 2026, the employee elective deferral limit is $24,500. Eligible participants age 50 or older may qualify for a $8,000 catch-up, and eligible participants ages 60–63 may have a $11,250 super catch-up under SECURE 2.0. The total limit for employee and employer contributions is $72,000. These limits can restrict contributions at higher pay levels. Check current IRS rules and the TSP’s plan details before setting payroll deductions.
The Calculation in Plain English
Employee contribution = annual salary × contribution rate
Modeled agency match = 1% automatic contribution
+ 100% match on first 3% contributed
+ 50% match on next 2% contributed
Total annual deposits = employee contribution + agency match
Projected balance = prior balance + annual deposits + modeled investment growth
In the default example, the 25-year projection ends at $808,988, and the final modeled year records $52,368 in growth. The projection adds the annual employee and agency contributions and applies the selected return to the growing balance. Because actual contributions occur through pay periods and investment returns vary, the displayed figure is an estimate.
Compare Contribution Rates
The rate table uses different contribution levels to illustrate how the match changes. These rows are based on the $85,000 salary default and use the calculator’s modeled match schedule.
| Contribution rate | Your annual contribution | Modeled agency contribution | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0% | $0 | $850 | Automatic 1% remains in the model; no employee match is earned. |
| 3% | $2,550 | $3,400 | Automatic 1% plus dollar-for-dollar match on 3%. |
| 5% | $4,250 | $4,250 | Full modeled agency contribution is reached. |
| 10% | $8,500 | $4,250 | Employee saving rises, but modeled agency match does not exceed its 5% cap. |
The 0% row’s modeled automatic contribution does not mean every participant has the same eligibility or vesting circumstances. Check plan rules. Use the TSP Match Calculator alongside a TSP growth estimate to see how contributions and time interact.
Questions About TSP Matching
Do I get the maximum modeled match by contributing 5%?
Under the formula used here, yes: a 5% contribution earns the maximum modeled match of 5% of salary, including the automatic 1%. Verify your actual plan eligibility and service rules.
Is the 100% match rate the same as a 100% investment return?
No. The 100% figure compares agency contributions with your own contribution at the selected rate. It does not mean your account earns 100% annually. Investment returns are separate and uncertain.
Should I contribute more than 5%?
Contributing above 5% can increase your savings even when it does not increase the modeled match. Decide based on your budget, debt, emergency savings, tax situation, and retirement target. Compare higher contributions with the TSP Contribution Calculator and retirement number calculator.
Does the projected balance include my current balance?
Yes. The $808,988 default projection starts with the entered $50,000 current balance, then adds modeled contributions and investment growth.
Does the projection account for taxes or inflation?
The provided calculation does not deduct withdrawal taxes or adjust the balance for inflation. Traditional TSP withdrawals are generally taxable as income; see the IRS’s information about tax on distributions. For an income estimate, compare with a TSP Withdrawal Calculator.
What if my salary or contribution rate changes?
The projection holds the entered salary and annual contribution amounts constant; it does not model future raises in the supplied calculation. Rerun the calculator when your salary or payroll election changes, or use the TSP growth calculator for salary growth scenarios.
Next Steps: Capture the Match, Then Build the Plan
Check your payroll contribution rate and confirm that deposits are reaching your TSP account. If your goal is to capture the full modeled match, test a 5% employee contribution, then explore higher rates to see how much additional personal saving fits your budget.
For broader retirement planning, compare a potential TSP withdrawal, estimate your FERS pension income, and review a retirement needs calculator. Matching is one piece of the plan; taxes, spending, pension income, Social Security, and investment risk also shape retirement income.