Military retirement?

SSG Ryan Zimmermann — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 10:13:19 -0400

I am looking into reenlisting into the reserves. The question I have is: Will I be grandfathered into the 20/50% retirement or will I fall under the new 2% per year retirement? Will I have an option?

Response by TSgt David Holman made Jul 20 at 2019 10:18 AM

TSgt David Holman — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 10:18:05 -0400

You won't be grandfathered, but your active time will count toward your reserve retirement time. One thing to keep in mind, unlike retiring from active duty, you can't draw your reserve retirement until much later in life.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 12:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 12:47:27 -0400

You're referring to the Blended Retirement System. It's MUCH more in depth than a simple 2% difference.
Which retirement plan you're entitled to is based upon your DIEMS. Since you joined the military prior to 1 Jan 2018 you are enrolled in the High 3 plan. If you rejoin the military, you'll be allowed one year to opt into BRS, if you choose.
The reference is on the DFAS site, under BRS FAQs.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 21 at 2019 2:30 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 02:30:16 -0400

AD and Reserve retirement are in different sections of the US Code. You don't get to mix and match. If you go into the reserves, that is the system you'll retire in. Every AD day you've done becomes a retirement point. A total of 20 "good" years means you'll get an annuity when you turn 60. I went CS after AD and went reserves. Bought 10 years of CS retirement credit up front. Did 10% TSP the entire CS time and wound up with 32 years Reserve retirement and 42 years CS. Every now and then they come up with some early retirement thing of the day. If they just want people to leave, it's pretty much a straight line pro rata offer. If they have to reduce body count or else, the pot gets sweetened a little bit. Doesn't happen much anymore given DOPMA and the equivalent ENL regulations. Up or out unless a continuation board defers your exit. The 90 day badlands rotations don't get you much earlier. Remember, make sure you don't come up a few months short of a pay band bump.

Response by LTC Mark Overberg made Jul 27 at 2019 4:12 PM

LTC Mark Overberg — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:12:21 -0400

Assuming you did not opt into the Blended Retirement System during 2018 (you had to have 12 or fewer years of service on 31 Dec 2017), you stayed under your existing retirement plan, likely the High 3 Plan. No one could force you to change, so if you didn’t, that’s what you still have. The opt in window closed for those who were eligible on 31 Dec 2018.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2019 8:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 08:52:43 -0400

Most of these folks gave you accurate info.

You’re not involuntarily changed to a different retirement system.

But the retirement computation is a little different for a reserve soldier.

Start googling, and understand, 20 good years in the reserve, is usually equivalent to about 5 years of active duty, depending on MOBs and deployments.