Does a retiree return a salute when entering a military base?

The old saying when in Rome do as the Romans do applies. If you are a Navy retiree, entering an Air Force base, then it is polite and courteous to respect the Air Force customs. If a person salutes, then it is courteous to salute them back. It also shows respect for their traditions. 
On the other hand, that works both ways, if you are accustomed to being saluted when entering a base, and you go to a different branch's base where they do not salute those in civilian attire, it should not be taken as a slight in military courtesy.

I believe one should return any salute that is given. Not returning a salute is the same as not extending your hand when a person extends his/hers for a handshake.

This retiree does return the salute.

In the ARMY we are taught that if the person makes it to be known as (insert rank here) that's the respect they've earned for life. just like if George W. Bush Jr showed up to my office I would respect him as if he was still in office (to a certain extent)

I will always return a salute, when entering post, if the MP at the Gate salutes... no matter what I am wearing... I am generally in civilian clothes and have a blue ID...

I am not retired, but as a Reservist I regularly go on base in civilian clothes on non-duty weekends to hit the commissary. I always return salutes, regardless of attire, if I am saluted, as it is the respectful and appropriate thing to do.

My father always does. However he's been retired for over 20 years so he is using old military customs and is Air Force. However I feel if someone renders a salute out of respect one should return the salute. I myself salute the flag at sporting events and when I go for a walk I always salute my neighbor's flag around the block, he's the local fire chief and also a retired Marine.

Hmm.

Generally speaking a simple "Thank you" or "Carry on" is sufficient to acknowledge the salute, and render appropriate respect.

When President Reagan began returning salutes to service members, as a courtesy, the tradition became a bit murkier. Although we are required to salute the President, he is not required to salute us. I think it is a great tradition, and it is appreciated.

Simple instances where President Bush had his hands full and then came back to return the Marine's salute after highlight this. The coffee cup incident inciting the nation's ire do as well. This is not to spark a political debate, just to show that had the President just said "Thank you" or "Carry on," (when his hands are full), there would have been no issue.

All that said, if the guard salutes, and you salute back. It is appropriate even if against "code." Just like it is appropriate for the President to return salutes, even though there is no code for him to do so.

On Guam they don't and are not required to, but when my wife takes me into the bases, I always say, Thank You Sir.

At Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER) MPs/SPs salute retirees and say "Thank you for your service" If they salute, I salute.