Posted on Jan 4, 2015
Taking a promotion with two years left before retirement? Do you take it or just retire?
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I posed the question if you were two years to retirement and you're up for promotion and you get selected do you take that promotion where you know you're going to have to give additional time to the army or do you say no I'm going to pass on this promotion and just retire. Now the pro is you are under the high three so you could take it and earn that higher retirement pay...but with the cost of doing a few extra years to ensure that higher retirement paycheck. Is it worth it?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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This answer depends on the situation of individual. What is your post military plan, education, employment, entrepreneurship?
For retirement pay consideration, go to the retirement pay calculator (AKO; my benefits; calculators; retirement calculator) and see the difference in retirement pay yourself. If it is financially worth staying, meets your timeline and (most importantly) you want to continue serving then I'd recommend continuing to serve. Do not stay just for the promotion/pay raise, your heart has to be in it.
For retirement pay consideration, go to the retirement pay calculator (AKO; my benefits; calculators; retirement calculator) and see the difference in retirement pay yourself. If it is financially worth staying, meets your timeline and (most importantly) you want to continue serving then I'd recommend continuing to serve. Do not stay just for the promotion/pay raise, your heart has to be in it.
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MSG (Join to see)
I agree CSM. Not only must your heart be in it, but a strong family support structure helps in the transition. This decision not only yourself and financial gain, but others who rely on you. The burnout of deployments, pcs, and other factors can do so must to a household. I feel I would take it only after a deep conversation with Household 6. Hopefully a post military game plan is mapped out for anyone that takes the chance.
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SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS
SSG (Join to see) As CSM Michael J. Uhlig related this is a complex decision and the advise provided by CSM Michael J. Uhlig is the best I could imagine. One add would be to examine a cost living calculator for your retirement location and ensure your income would sustain you and your family while you search for a job. Additionally, I would research the area and see what jobs are available and at what salary range.
If you decide to retire, make sure to take advantage of all offerings by the Army as far as planning, counseling, and medical.
Good luck!
If you decide to retire, make sure to take advantage of all offerings by the Army as far as planning, counseling, and medical.
Good luck!
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1SG (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) You've been given the right advise by CSM Uhlig; now reevaluate your retirement plan and weigh the Pros and Cons with taking the Promotion Plan and continuing to serve till you meet the service obligation; who knows maybe by that time, the Army will place in the exact position again with the choice to make. Its great when you have choices, Good luck with which decision you make! Let us know Please when you do.
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GySgt Carl Rumbolo
Well said - In my personal situation I went as far as submitting a letter to the promotion board asking I not be considered since at the time in the Corps if someone turned a promotion down, they didn't just go grab the next guy down on the list. If there where 4 slots and they had 16 qualified, 4 got selected and if someone retired, oh well.
I had a made a decision 3 years before I hit the retirement mark and it wasn't in my plan to stay past 20. I didn't go ROAD, but simply had another goal, in fact I went out for a week to an amphib to help unravel an IT issue 2 weeks before my terminal leave date. Just had other things to do in life. As the CSM said so well - its what your individual plan is.
I had a made a decision 3 years before I hit the retirement mark and it wasn't in my plan to stay past 20. I didn't go ROAD, but simply had another goal, in fact I went out for a week to an amphib to help unravel an IT issue 2 weeks before my terminal leave date. Just had other things to do in life. As the CSM said so well - its what your individual plan is.
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Why can't you take the promotion and still retire after two years? Or at least decide in a year or two after taking the promotion?
According to AR 600-8-19, 5-26 (a):
"The Soldier must report for duty in the position to which promoted, comply with a reassignment order, if issued, and serve at least 12 months in the duty position before voluntary reassignment, discharge or retirement. "
So you can take the promotion and then decide later what you want to do... unless I'm missing something? There's no requirement to serve three years.
According to AR 600-8-19, 5-26 (a):
"The Soldier must report for duty in the position to which promoted, comply with a reassignment order, if issued, and serve at least 12 months in the duty position before voluntary reassignment, discharge or retirement. "
So you can take the promotion and then decide later what you want to do... unless I'm missing something? There's no requirement to serve three years.
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SFC Charles Kolker
I just looked it up (I'm in this boat right now and about to turn the FY17 board down because of this):
"5–17. Accepting promotion to sergeant first class and above
a. A Soldier who accepts a promotion will incur a 36-month TPU service remaining requirement from the effective date of promotion. The Soldier must report for duty in the position to which promoted and comply with a reassignment order, if issued."
Hope this helps anyone currently in this situation, or in it in the future.
"5–17. Accepting promotion to sergeant first class and above
a. A Soldier who accepts a promotion will incur a 36-month TPU service remaining requirement from the effective date of promotion. The Soldier must report for duty in the position to which promoted and comply with a reassignment order, if issued."
Hope this helps anyone currently in this situation, or in it in the future.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - I know I was told that I would have to stay 3 more years to get SFC pay for retirement if I took promotion.
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Really depends on your personal situation. I was selected for SGM academy and gave it up to retire. I was on orders to a permanent change of station from Germany, would be there for a few months and then move to Texas for school, and then be eligible for deployment anywhere in the world, and I was sure to be selected for SGM on the next promotion board. Didn't feel like moving my family 3 times in a 2 year period. Did that previously and it's no fun. Plus I had my 20, I was 38 - which was very marketable in the civilian world. If I'd stayed, I'd be at least 43 before I would retire maybe 44, not as marketable, and who knows how many more PCS's. I'm 60 now, and I do not and have never had any regret my decision.
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