If being Medboarded with over 15 years can you request TERA?

2015-09-11T18:15:15-04:00

Can you request early retirement in addition to medical retirement?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-09-11T18:41:17-04:00

I won't pretend to be an expert, but I believe you have to have a condition that has not stabilized yet.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-09-11T21:36:37-04:00

I had 21 years and was put on TERA, therefore the confusion.

Summary:
The FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Public Law 112-81, enacted 31 December 2011, authorized the military services to offer early retirement to Soldiers who have completed at least 15 years of active service. This is a discretionary authority and not an entitlement. The Army has elected to use this limited program as part of a comprehensive force management strategy to shape the force. It does not apply to Soldiers of the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

Eligibility:
Early retirement under TERA is limited to active duty Regular Army Soldiers who are denied continued active duty service with an established involuntary separation date of 30 September 2018 or earlier who meet the following criteria:

a. Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) denied continued service as a result of an approved Qualitative Service Program (QSP) centralized selection board who are serving on active duty and have completed 15 but less than 20 years of active service as of the established involuntary separation date.

b. Officers/Warrant Officers who have twice failed selection for promotion to the next grade, including those who have been selected for, but not yet accepted, selective continuation, who are serving on active duty and have 15 but less than 20 years of active service as of their established involuntary separation date.

c. All Soldiers must meet all eligibility requirements for retirement for length of service for a 20-year retirement, except as provided for under the TERA program. Exceptions to other eligibility requirements are not considered. In all cases, early retirement will not occur prior to attainment of 15 years of service on the established separation date.

This early retirement benefit will not be extended to Soldiers who:

a. Were previously separated under Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI), Special Separation Benefit (SSB), or Voluntary Separation Pay (VSP) programs.

b. Are under evaluation for disability retirement under Title 10, Chapter 61.

c. Are members of the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves.

Benefit Highlights:

TERA retired pay is generally calculated using the same formula that is used for 20-or-more-year retirements, but it includes an early retirement reduction factor. The calculation is 2.5 percent of the average of the highest 36 months of base pay times the number of years of service, times the TERA reduction factor. Reduction factors are based upon the number of months that retirement is taken before the 20-year minimum (1/12th of 1% for each month of early retirement).

Additional Information:

U.S. Public Law 112-81, Section 504, FY 2012 NDAA, 31 DEC 2011

U.S. Army ALARACT 281/2012, DTG R 091426Z OCT 12

Access the MyArmyBenefits calculator to calculate your retirement pay: http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Home/Benefit_Calculators/Retirement.html

For more detailed information on retirement pay, please visit Army Retirement Services Office (RSO) at:
https://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/rso

Army Human Resources Command web site:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/

Defense Finance and Accounting Service site at:
http://www.dfas.mil/

http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/plan/retirement-types/2012-18tera.html

CSB/REDUX

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 11 at 2015 11:33 PM

2015-09-11T23:33:31-04:00

We are in the middle of rotation here at NTC so I had a late night tonight SSG Robert Burns , SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" . I will have to research this real quick and get back to you. My quick answer is no though. Reason why is that TERA is not an entitled retirement that requires approval. If you are already getting a medical retirement, then I highly doubt TERA would get approved. Let me get back to you. Give me an hour.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 11 at 2015 11:49 PM

2015-09-11T23:49:11-04:00

Ok SSG Robert Burns and SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" here is what I know after review the Army directive, which is what really matters. After reviewing, I do not believe I can give a completely accurate answer because your question lacks context. That is fine, however, it is a bit contradictory as well. The question asks if you can request TERA if being medboarded, but at the same time you tied it to medical retirement which is totally different than being medboarded. One is an action and the other is an outcome. Either way, TERA is really only for personnel who have been selected for involuntary separation by a centralized selection board. If you are selected by that board, you can request TERA if you have TIS between 15 and less than 20 years. SO.....no you cannot request TERA if you are being medically retired...UNLESS you are simultaneously selected for voluntary separation. Then I assume one separation would trump the other. Which one takes precedence would probably another question. I hope this makes sense. Please review Army Directive 2013-14 (Temporary Early Retirement Authority).

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Sep 12 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-09-12T10:46:28-04:00

No, TERA is only available for those NCOs selected for QSP.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:39 AM

2016-04-29T11:39:02-04:00

great question i to am interested in this answer

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 9:02 AM

2018-02-13T09:02:00-05:00

YES you can. I just did it with 16 years Marine Corps. You have to be found "Unifit" for duty first, then you can request TERA.