If you served a total of 13 years in the Active Army and the final 7 in the reserves how does that translate into retirement?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:18:08 -0500

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 17 at 2016 1:38 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:38:44 -0500

Assuming you total around 100 points per year on the reserve side the annuity will be around 37% of your Grade/Years when you transfer to the Retired Reserve. DON'T RESIGN. That will apply to whatever the the pay scale in effect when you turn 60. Pay starts a month after. Also, file whatever VA Disability when you go the the Retired Reserve. Don't wait until you're 60.

Do another career that generates retirement. If you accumulate an annuity, also contribute to a 401. If there is no annuity, put more into a 401. I highly recommend your goal to be to quit when you want and not notice a difference in monthly pay. If you go Civil Service, remember to transfer your TSP into commercial management at 59 1/2. More earnings at same risk.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 8:08 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 08:08:14 -0500

When I joined the Reserves there was a requirement that at least 8 years had to be served in the Reserves in order to qualify for retirement under the Reserve program. That may not be true in you case. My time was a long time ago. But, make sure of the requirement.

I had a little over 14 1/2 active duty and the rest Reserve over 8 1/2 years. Finished with about 41%.

Good luck.

Oh yes, the Reserve time resulted in quite a bit of cash for my retirement, plus the retired benefits. Well worth the time.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 17 at 2016 9:50 AM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 09:50:23 -0500

After April 25, 2005 there is no requirement for a minimum number of years of service in the Reserve. Retirement with 20 good years and the latest years in the Reserve side is OK for Reserve retirement. The HRC site and Army G1 soldier for life sites explain as well.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 17 at 2016 9:54 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 09:54:06 -0500

You mean that 13 + 7 does not always equal 20?

Response by CPT Christopher Webb made Jan 17 at 2016 11:29 AM

CPT Christopher Webb — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 11:29:22 -0500

I have a question on top of this question. LOL!! Does the word 'retirement' in regards to total combined time actually mean that you get money? For instance, 4 years as a Cadet, 10 years Active Duty and 6 years Individual Ready Reserve. This elicits no money, but does it elicit the term 'retired'?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 7:08 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:08:10 -0500

If you google Army Reserve Retirement calculator you will be given a link to HRC. When computing your creditable service time, multiply your 13 years times 365 (one point per day) (4745) then add 58 points per year for 7 years (406 points for your reserve time). Add your Active duty points to Reserve points (5151). Input into the HRC calculator and your approximate pay would be $1112 a month in today's dollars. There are alot of variables to take into consideration. (Your rank at time of retirement, additional points accumulated for completing NCOES etc.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 1:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:34:56 -0500

A lot of retirement points, but you still have to wait until 60 to get it (unless deployed since 2008 where you can start collecting a bit earlier. You get 365/366 leap year) for year active duty year you serve. You get 2 point for every day of drill weekend and 1 point for every day you do annual training, active schools or active short tours. You can also get points for correspondence/online courses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 6:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:03:55 -0500

It means you'll get it when you're 65. Best go back active duty, otherwise, you'll be waiting a long time

Response by Melissa Didericksen Didericksen made Jan 19 at 2016 6:42 AM

Melissa Didericksen Didericksen — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 06:42:06 -0500

As long as you make 7200 points total, you should be good. Many will try to say that only if you have 20 Active, no for those of us in grey area 1405 time matters too and not just active. My husband was deployed and had training a lot during Reserves which helped him teach his points.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 8:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:16:19 -0500

If you did not miss any drills or AT in the reserves then you made 7 good years. 20 years of service and you receive your letter and can retire. It's really that simple. If you have been excused for any drills then you would need to make them up for your points.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 11:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:56:38 -0500

Make sure your active duty time gets converted to the reserves, this is not done automatically.
Once that is done all you have to do is your reserve contract. Also go to the HRC retirement pay calculator and see what your monthly pay will be. Also you will not be able to receive any pay until you reach age 60. So your best bet is to stay in, promote, retire age 60. Or do the 20 and wait for the retirement to kick in.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 1:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 13:26:51 -0500

Retirement points can be checked here: https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/portal/
then click on "Retirement Points Statement" (DA 5016)
if you are missing years of service, to include your AD time; ensure all of your documents are added to your iPERMS. Then, give all supporting documentation to your Unit Administrator or RPAC for processing. Sometimes it can take up to 7 months to get your points corrected.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 7:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 07:30:24 -0500

CAPT Ball is right on point! Thanks Captain Ball for being so detailed...that always helps the Soldier in transition. Every Soldier goes thru the "Good, Bad and he Ugly" in their 20+ years, but when you start receiving your Mil Pay after age 60, plus Social "inSecurity" Ha! plus your other retirements...you will then start hearing from all your buddies that now have the "Id Idda" disease! Id Idda stayed, I'd be retired too! And, I never say anything...just think to myself...."If the dog didn't stop to take a #@%& he would've caught the rabbit!" Ha! Enjoy your retirement Soldier! The Captain was Spot On! Drive on! - Top

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 8:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 08:55:30 -0500

It is very simple, you will get your retirement at age 60. Unless, in the past seven years of your reserve duty you were mobilized, then a certain amount of time will come off for each month mobilized.
So, if you were mobilized for a year, you will retire at 59.
Now the points; you have to have 50 points for a good year. That is very easy to do, membership is 15 points, Battle Assembly is another 48 points, two weeks training 12 to 14 points, you are done.
You will a percentage towards your retirement in accordance with your active and military service.
Remember, if you spent only 20 years on AD you will receive 50% of your base pay. So, for 13 and 7, you will receive less in accordance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2016 8:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:26:57 -0400

You'll retire as a reservist with a ton of points. There's different calculations that are used and the most beneficial is what you'll get.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 1:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:04:30 -0400

i do not if any one hit on this point: here goes.
When you transfer to the Reserves from Active Duty, Your years of service DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER. You have to provide proof of service for those years (your DDFM 214 should work) If there is no break in service you should get 365 points for each year of Active Duty service. As the other contributors have states points are the goal in the reserves. If you have not done it already check out the Retirement Points Calculator on the HRC website. There is a link located on the navigation bar in the Documents section.
hope this helps
Good Luck.

Response by SGT Harvey Watson made Aug 1 at 2017 1:06 AM

SGT Harvey Watson — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 01:06:44 -0400

I have a question on this thread. My situation is reversed, I served 7 in the National Guard prior to Active Service and have served 13 years, I ETS in one year. However one year of the Guard time was active service as well. When I ETS I will have a total of 20 years service. Due to multiple back surgeries this past year and no MEB eligibility I am getting out while I have a back left. My question is can I serve a year in the National Guard or IRR and qualify for the 20 year age 60 retirement benefit?

Response by CPO Heidi Cermak made Jan 25 at 2021 12:07 PM

CPO Heidi Cermak — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:07:03 -0500

take the points per year- 360x 13 yrs , Multiply your drill time which is 75 points per year. If you deploy or are recalled those points count as well. Add the sums together. Divide the sum by 360. Multiply the end result by 2.5. Take that number and multiply it by your paygrade salary. . That will give your the amount of retired pay. This is how the navy does it.