Plan your TSP contributions

Reach the IRS limit by the last pay date of the year without missing any agency match along the way. Every figure comes from the official limits and pay calendars.

Your pay

This is an example. Enter your own basic pay to see your plan.

Year

Pay calendarWho pays you decides the pay dates and which ones count in this tax year.

Retirement system

Basic pay per pay periodBasic pay before deductions; locality pay counts, overtime and bonuses do not.

Year of birthCatch-up contributions open the year you turn 50, with a higher amount from 60 to 63.

So far this year

Plan from this pay datePay dates before this one are already paid.

Traditional contributed so farYour own contributions, not the agency's.

Roth contributed so far

My 2025 wages (box 3 of the W-2) were above $150,000, so my catch-up must be Roth.

Your goal

Total for the yearLeave blank for the most you may contribute: $24,500.

At least, per pay periodBlank keeps 5% of basic pay ($150.00) in every pay period, which earns the full match.

At most, per pay periodBlank means your whole basic pay.

TimingLevel: the same amount every pay date.

Your plan

Each pay date from Nov 10, 2026, contribute

$3,000.00

100.0% of basic pay, over 5 pay dates.

Your total this year: $15,000; limit $24,500
Agency adds: $750; from Nov 10, 2026 on
Match not earned: $0; every pay period gets the full match
Limit reached: not this year; $9,500 short of the limit

At most $3,000.00 a pay period over 5 pay dates leaves $9,500.00 of the $24,500.00 goal unreached.
2026 has 27 pay dates on this calendar, one more than usual; a per-pay-period amount set for 26 would reach the limit early.

Already contributedYours, per pay dateAgency automatic and match

Pay date by pay date

Planned contribution for each pay date
Pay date	Yours	% of pay	Agency	Total so far
Nov 10, 2026	$3,000.00	100.0%	$150.00	$3,000
Nov 25, 2026	$3,000.00	100.0%	$150.00	$6,000
Dec 9, 2026	$3,000.00	100.0%	$150.00	$9,000
Dec 23, 2026	$3,000.00	100.0%	$150.00	$12,000
Dec 31, 2026	$3,000.00	100.0%	$150.00	$15,000

2026 limit for you: $24,500 (elective deferral; you are under 50 unless you enter a year of birth). Limits from IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 limits), checked Oct 28, 2026. Pay dates from GSA 2026 payroll calendar, checked Oct 28, 2026. 27 official pay dates; pay period 27 (ending Dec 26) is paid Dec 31 and counts in tax year 2026 (W-2 cutoff Dec 26). A new election takes effect no later than the first full pay period after the agency receives the election.

A planning aid, not tax or investment advice. Your payroll office applies your election and does the final rounding; check the amounts with them before you change it.