- Benefits
- Back to Menu
- View Benefits Finder
- View Benefits Finder
- Moving
- Military OneSource Services
- Recreation
- Relationships
- Retirement
- Assistance Programs
- Housing
- Shopping
- Legal
- Travel
- Popular Benefits
- MilTax
- Space-A Travel
- DOD MWR Libraries
- Resources
- Back to Menu
- View Resources Finder
- View Resources Finder
- MilLife Guides
- Military OneSource Network Websites
- Podcasts
- Government Websites
- Webinars
- External Websites
- Online Learning
- Mobile Apps
- Popular Resources
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
- Plan My Move
- Moving Personal Property
- DPS Login
- Other Resources
- Products
- Back to Menu
- View Products Finder
- View Products Finder
- Popular Product Types
- Book/Booklets
- Fact Sheets
- Brochures
- Flyers
- Educational Items
- Posters
- Popular Products
- Personal Property Claims Fact Sheet
- School Liaison Flyer
- Non-medical Counseling Flyer
- Creating Calm Relaxation Techniques for Kids Book
- ABCs of Safe Sleep
- Non-medical Counseling
- Back to Menu
- Non-medical Counseling
- Military OneSource Non‑medical Counseling
- Military and Family Life Counseling
- Specialty Consultations
- Back to Menu
- Specialty Consultations
- Adoption
- Building Healthy Relationships
- Education
- Elder Care
- New MilParent
- Peer-to-Peer
- Special Needs
- Transitioning Veterans
- Wounded Warrior
- Back to Menu
- Financial Counseling
- MilTax: Free Tax Services
- Language Services
- Caregiver Support Services
- Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
- Resilience Tools
- My Military OneSource App
- Chill Drills App
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator
- Relationship Resource Tool
No matter where you serve or live, free and confidential help is available.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Live Chat
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- Back to Menu
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- Phone
Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
Live ChatInternationalWebsite
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Back to Menu
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- PhoneLive ChatText
Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text “START” to 88788
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- Back to Menu
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- PhoneLive ChatWebsite
Call 877-995-5247
- Back to Menu
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Phone
Call 988
Live ChatTTYUse your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 988
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Back to Menu
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Interactive Tool
Find an advocate.
In the United States, call 911 if you are in an emergency.
For those outside the United States, call your local emergency number.
- Family Advocacy Program
- Military Community Support Programs
- Military Family Readiness Programs
- Military Funeral Honors
- Office of Special Needs
Contact Military OneSource
Information and support for service members and their families. About the Call Center.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Additional Ways to Contact Us
See All MilLife Guides
MilLife Guides
Overview
Under the military’s Blended Retirement System, about 85% of all active-duty and reserve service members will receive a retirement benefit, even if they don’t qualify for full retirement. That’s a big difference from the low numbers of service members today saving for retirement. Your future self will thank you if you begin saving even modestly today. Recent changes make it easier to save for your future. Learn how you can safeguard your financial future and understand the retirement system.
Military OneSource financial counseling
If you have questions about saving for retirement, contact Military OneSource to speak with a financial counselor.
Call us now
Call 800-342-9647 to speak with a financial counselor today.
Call from OCONUS now
Overseas? Call 800-342-9647 or 703-253-7599.
Prefer to live chat?Start now.
Am I eligible for the Blended Retirement System?
Service members who join after January 2018 are automatically enrolled into the Blended Retirement System. Other service members either elected to join the new blended retirement system or chose to retain the legacy retirement plan. If you previously chose to keep the legacy plan but now wish to switch to the blended retirement system, you are currently unable to do so.
How do I opt into the Blended Retirement System?
First, you have to complete the mandatoryBlended Retirement System Opt-In Course via Joint Knowledge Onlineor your service’s learning management system before the opt-in option is available to you. If you have completed the Blended Retirement System Opt-In Course via Military OneSource, you must turn the completion certificate into your training manager before the opt-in option is available to you.
Find out more information on how to take the BRS Opt-In Course via Joint Knowledge Online.
Then, to opt into the Blended Retirement System, you need to visit one of these designated resources, depending on your branch of service.
- Army, Air Force, Navy:MyPay
- Marine Corps:Marine Online, or MOL
- Coast Guard, NOAA Corps:Direct Access
- U.S. Public Health Corps: Contact your Compensation Branch
TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR OPTING INTO THE BRS SYSTEM
How long will the Defense Department match my contributions?
Once you are enrolled in the Blended Retirement System, the Defense Department will contribute 1% of your basic pay to your Thrift Savings Plan after 60 days of entering service and will begin to match your contributions (up to an additional 4% when you contribute at least 5%), at the start of your third year of service. Both the 1% contribution and matching contributions from the Defense Departmentcontinue through the end of your 26th year of service.
How does the Thrift Savings Plan figure into the system?
Blended retirement enrolls all service members joining after January 2018 into the Thrift Savings Plan, with automatic and matching Defense Department contributions. After completion of two years of service, you are vested and that money belongs to you. If you leave, it goes with you.
TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR HOW THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FIGURES INTO THE SYSTEM
ARTICLES FOR HOW THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FIGURES INTO THE SYSTEM
- The Military’s A+ Financial Benefits
BENEFITS & MILITARY ONESOURCE SERVICES FOR HOW THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN FIGURES INTO THE SYSTEM
Resources, benefits and Military OneSource services for the Blended Retirement System
RESOURCES
PRODUCTS
ARTICLES AND EXTERNAL RESOURCES
- Department of Defense Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Blended Retirement System
- Service Member’s Guide to the Blended Retirement System
- Active component infographic
- National Guard and Reserve infographic
- Blended Retirement System Videos
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Blended Retirement System
- How to Create a Financial Plan for Every Phase of Life
- 7 Steps Military Families Can Take to Save Money
- Blended Retirement System resource page
Related MilLife Guides
Controlling Debt Commit to your financial freedom by paying down your debt and saving for the future.
Financial Management Learn about money management and resources to help you be financially fit and mission-ready.
Higher Education for Your Children Get information and resources to help you finance your youth’s college or trade school education.
Learn about military bases worldwide. Get installation overviews, check-in procedures, housing, neighborhood information, contacts for programs and services, photos and more.
Search Installation Contacts
View All Installations
