The right tool depends on the question you’re asking.
A spreadsheet or a $3–6 estimator app answers “what will my pension be?” just fine. The expensive questions are the irrevocable ones — SBP, lump sum, retirement month, where to live. That’s the analysis a one-time professional retirement analysis typically costs $1,500–$3,000 for, and it’s what the decision tools are built to answer with always-current data.
Spreadsheets & free calculators
One-time pay estimator apps
Military Retirement Planner
One-time professional analysis
The basics
Cost
$0
$3–6 one-time
Free tier · $89.99–$179.99/yr
$1,500–$3,000 one-time
Retirement pay estimate (High-3 & BRS)
DIY formulas
Free — with SBP, Tricare, VGLI, VA & federal tax
Guard/Reserve points-based pension
Basic
Free — incl. gray-area timing
Sometimes
TSP growth projection
DIY
Free — Pro adds percent-of-career-pay
The decisions
Best retirement month (COLA ranking)
All 12 months ranked + backtests
Rarely modeled
BRS lump sum breakeven
Basic
After-tax, with survival probability
SBP vs. private insurance analysis
Yes, with Monte Carlo
State-by-state tax comparison
All 50 states + benefit details
Sometimes
Scenario comparison & what-ifs
Manual
Limited
During the engagement
Staying right over time
Updated every year (pay, COLA, tax, Tricare)
Often stale
Depends on updates
Always
You pay again
Remembers your situation
Yes — AI assistant
Until the engagement ends
Complete written plan
AI-built, cited, exportable (Pro Plus)
Categories describe typical tools in each class, not any specific product. Military Retirement Planner is educational software — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Confirm figures with DFAS and a qualified professional before making irrevocable elections.