Blended Retirement System | BRS Pension, Matching Contributions, Continuation Pay #149 | The Military Money Manual Video

Do you still get a pension under the BRS? YES! We can't believe this myth and misinformation is still spreading around the military.

Spencer and Jamie break down the three components of the military's Blended Retirement System (BRS) and address common misconceptions. They explain how the pension calculation works, discuss TSP matching benefits, and detail continuation pay options across different services. The hosts emphasize that servicemembers still receive a pension under BRS and highlight both the advantages and potential pitfalls of the system.

Questions discussed:


• How is the pension calculated under BRS?

• What are the three main components of BRS?

• How does TSP matching work?

• What are the continuation pay rates across different services?

• Why did the DOD switch to BRS?

• Should you take the lump sum option?

• How can leaders help troops not miss continuation pay opportunities?

• Is the BRS lump sum retirement option a good idea?

Resources mentioned:


• militarypay.defense.gov/blendedretirement (link

• Continuation Pay episode (link w/ Brandon Lovingier, The Enlisted Money Guy (Ep #128)

• Military Money: Pay and Pension app (link (free) on Apple's app store

• Nectarine's (link flat-rate financial advisors available for booking with 10% military discount using this link (link

 

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor (link  sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call.

Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp (link  to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE!

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If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon (link  or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com (link .

I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (link , the American Express® Gold Card (link , and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (link  in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 (link .

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The Platinum Card® from American Express (link  and the American Express® Gold Card (link  waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.