Military Buy Back Calculator

2026 rules

See what it costs to credit military service toward FERS and how fast it pays back.

Your numbers

Total military basic pay earned (from your DFAS estimated earnings)

Years of active duty to buy back

Expected FERS High-3

Expected FERS retirement age

Expected civilian service years

Interest OPM shows on your estimate (if any)

Interest starts 2 years after your FERS hire date.

Result

Deposit to buy back your service$3,600

3% of military basic pay$3,600
Interest$0
Deposit$3,600
Added FERS annuity per year$4,000
Years to earn the deposit back0.9 years
Total service at retirement24 years

Buying back can also make you eligible sooner (for example MRA with 30 years) and for the FERS supplement. Military retirees usually must waive retired pay to credit the same years.

How it works

Federal employees under FERS can make a deposit of 3% of the basic pay they earned on active duty, so those years count toward the FERS annuity. Interest starts two years after your FERS hire date.

Each year bought back adds 1% of High-3 to your annuity (1.1% at 62 with 20 years). It can also make you eligible to retire sooner and to receive the supplement.

2026 figures: OPM FERS computation; TSP loans; IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 retirement plan limits).

Questions

Can military retirees buy back their service?

Usually they must waive military retired pay to count the same years under FERS, unless the retired pay is for a combat-related disability or reserve service.

Where do I get my military earnings?

Request an estimated earnings statement from your branch's finance center, then work with your agency HR to set up the deposit.