E-6 military retirement pay
An E-6 retiring at 20 years with the 2026 basic pay rates would have a High-36 average of about $5,243.00, for retired pay of about $2,621.50 a month under High-36 (50%) or $2,097.20 under the Blended Retirement System (40%), before taxes and deductions.
| Years of service | High-36 average | High-36 plan | BRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | $5,243.00 | $2,621.50 (50%) | $2,097.20 (40%) |
| 21 | $5,267.70 | $2,765.54 (52.5%) | $2,212.43 (42%) |
| 22 | $5,267.70 | $2,897.24 (55%) | $2,317.79 (44%) |
| 23 | $5,267.70 | $3,028.93 (57.5%) | $2,423.14 (46%) |
| 24 | $5,267.70 | $3,160.62 (60%) | $2,528.50 (48%) |
| 25 | $5,267.70 | $3,292.31 (62.5%) | $2,633.85 (50%) |
| 26 | $5,267.70 | $3,424.01 (65%) | $2,739.20 (52%) |
| 28 | $5,267.70 | $3,687.39 (70%) | $2,949.91 (56%) |
| 30 | $5,267.70 | $3,950.78 (75%) | $3,160.62 (60%) |
| 32 | $5,267.70 | $4,214.16 (80%) | $3,371.33 (64%) |
| 35 | $5,267.70 | $4,609.24 (87.5%) | $3,687.39 (70%) |
| 40 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 (100%) | $4,214.16 (80%) |
How these figures are estimated
The Department of Defense computes retired pay as a multiplier times a retired pay base. Under High-36 and the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the base is the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. These tables estimate that average from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service's 2026 basic pay table, assuming you held the same grade for your last three years and that pay rates stay at 2026 levels. Each month uses the rate for the service you had completed then, so a 20-year retirement averages two years at the "Over 18" rate and one year at the "Over 16" rate.
The multipliers are DoD's: 2.5% per year of service under High-36, and 2% per year under BRS. Real retired pay will differ: promotions in your last three years lower the average, yearly pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments raise the dollar amounts, and months beyond whole years count too. Use the military retirement pay calculator with your own High-36 figure, and DoD's own calculators, for your number.
REDUX and Final Pay
If you took the Career Status Bonus under REDUX, the multiplier before age 62 is one point lower for each year short of 30: at 20 years, 40% of the same High-36 base, about $2,097.20 a month for an E-6, restored to the High-36 amount at 62. Final Pay (service that began before September 8, 1980) uses the last month's basic pay instead of the 36-month average.
What comes out of retired pay
The figures above are gross. A Survivor Benefit Plan election costs up to 6.5% of the amount you cover (see the SBP calculator), and federal and state income tax may apply. Most states do not tax military retired pay; see which states tax military retirement pay.
Nearby grades
E-5, E-7, E-8, or every grade in one table.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- Basic Pay – Enlisted, effective January 1, 2026Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Read on November 13, 2026.
- Military RetirementDepartment of Defense, Military Compensation and Financial Readiness. Read on November 13, 2026.