TSP basics: limits, BRS match, funds and fees

As of Oct. 21, 2026 · 2026 limits · 2025 fees

Short answer: in 2026 you can put up to $24,500 of your own pay in the TSP (traditional + Roth together), plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ ($11,250 at ages 60-63). The 2027 limit is not announced yet; the IRS usually posts it in late October or November. Under BRS the service adds 1% of basic pay automatically (after 60 days) and matches up to 4% more when you put in 5% (after 2 years). TSP fees are tiny: 2025 total expense ratios ran 0.034% to 0.051%, about 34 to 51 cents a year per $1,000.

$24,5002026 employee limit

$8,0002026 catch-up, age 50+

$11,2502026 catch-up, ages 60-63

5%BRS max from the service (1% + 4% match)

BRS matching, plain English

Automatic 1% of basic pay every pay period, starting after 60 days of service. You keep it after 2 years (vesting).
Matching starts after 2 years of service: the first 3% you put in is matched dollar for dollar, the next 2% at 50 cents per dollar. Matching money is always yours.
Put in 5% and the service adds 5% total (1% + 4%). Above 5% there is no extra match. Both end at 26 years of service.
If you stop contributing, the match stops too; the automatic 1% keeps going.

Sources: TSP booklet TSPBK08: Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan TSP: contribution limits. Full rules, catch-up by birth year and a per-paycheck planner: TSP contribution limits 2026.

How much the service adds

You put in	Automatic	Match	Service total
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%
8%	1%	4%	5%

The funds and what they cost

Fund	What it holds	2025 expense ratio	Cost per $1,000 a year
G Fund	Short-term U.S. Treasury securities issued to the TSP; no loss of principal (payment guaranteed by the U.S. government).	0.034%	$0.34
F Fund	Tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (U.S. bonds).	0.035%	$0.35
C Fund	Tracks the S&P 500 (500 large U.S. companies).	0.035%	$0.35
S Fund	Tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index (small and mid-size U.S. companies not in the S&P 500).	0.051%	$0.51
I Fund	Tracks the MSCI ACWI IMI ex USA ex China ex Hong Kong Index (international stocks, 40+ countries).	0.048%	$0.48

Lifecycle (L) funds are mixes of the five funds above, set by target year; they have no extra fee. 2025 total expense ratios: L Income 0.035%, L 2030 0.039%, L 2035 0.038%, L 2040 0.040%, L 2045 0.039%, L 2050 0.041%, L 2055 0.041%, L 2060 0.041%, L 2065 0.041%, L 2070 0.041%, L 2075 0.038%.

Transaction fees: a TSP loan costs $50 (general purpose) or $100 (primary residence), taken out of the loan. The mutual fund window has its own fees.

Sources: TSP: expenses and fees (2025 expense ratios) TSP booklet TSPBK08: Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan. We describe funds; we don't recommend any fund or mix.

Show the math

Basic pay $4,000 a month, you put in 5% = $200. Automatic 1% = $40; match 3% + (2% × 50 cents) = 4% = $160. Total going in: $400 a month.
Fees: 0.035% × $100,000 = $35 a year in the C Fund; 0.051% × $100,000 = $51 in the S Fund.
Max-out pace for 2026: $24,500 ÷ 24 paychecks = $1,020.83 each (spread it out so you get the match every pay period).

Next step: Plan your per-paycheck amount · Change your contribution in myPay (TSP how-to) · Military money hub

Sources

IRS IR-2025-111: 2026 401(k)/TSP limits (Nov. 13, 2025)
TSP: contribution limits (read Oct. 21, 2026)
TSP booklet TSPBK08: Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan (January 2026)
TSP: expenses and fees (2025 expense ratios) (read Oct. 21, 2026)

Facts and arithmetic from official sources, not financial, legal or investment advice. VaultRubric is not part of DoD, VA, TRICARE or OPM. This page has no partner links.

FAQ

What is the TSP contribution limit for 2026?

$24,500 of your own money (traditional and Roth combined), plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ or $11,250 at ages 60-63 (IRS IR-2025-111).

What is the TSP limit for 2027?

Not announced yet as of Oct. 21, 2026. The IRS usually announces it in late October or November.

How does the BRS TSP match work?

1% automatic after 60 days; after 2 years, the service matches your first 3% dollar for dollar and the next 2% at 50 cents. Put in 5% and get 5% from the service.

What are TSP fees?

2025 total expense ratios were 0.034% (G Fund) to 0.051% (S Fund), or 34 to 51 cents per $1,000 a year (tsp.gov).

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.