My 1st contract was 6 yrs guard, 2nd 5 yrs active, now I am going back to guard. When will I be able to retire?

2017-09-18T08:10:31-04:00

Response by CSM Andrew Perrault made Sep 18 at 2017 8:43 AM

2017-09-18T08:43:51-04:00

Go to your S-1

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 8:45 AM

2017-09-18T08:45:46-04:00

20 years... If you retire from the Guard or Reserve you have to have 20 "good" years. After you have completed 20 years you'll get a 20 Year Letter... Keep track of your "Retirement Points Worksheet" so you can make sure you have all the points you are entitled to.

You'll have to wait until you are 60 to collect if you don't have 20 years of Active Federal Service. unless you've been deployed...

I am not sure how Title 32 Active Duty is counted if there is a "State Call-Up" as far as retirement is concerned... I'm also not sure how your Active Duty time counts towards the lowering of the retirement age. Ask your S1 about your specific situation.

Retirement Age [1]
A member is generally not eligible for Reserve (non-regular) retired pay until they reach age 6o. However, any member of the Ready Reserve who is recalled to active duty or, in response to a national emergency, is called to certain active service after January 28, 2008, shall have the age 60 requirement reduced by 3 months for each cumulative period of 90 days so performed in any fiscal year after that date.

[1] http://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Retirement/reserve/

Reserve Retirement

Military Pay and Benefits Website sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 9:03 AM

2017-09-18T09:03:06-04:00

So unlike an active retirement where my 6 years NG was about an accumulated 1 year of service for active, meaning I would need 14 more years, for guard I would only need 9 correct?

Response by Shayna Blumenthal MBA, MS made Sep 18 at 2017 10:23 AM

2017-09-18T10:23:49-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Your best off contacting your local Retirement Services Office. They are best equipped to help you. You can find your local RSO at https://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/rso

Army Retirement Services Officers | Soldier for Life

Army Retirement Services Officers (RSOs) can provide answers for retiring and Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. Before retirement, contact your RSO for your pre-retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) briefings. After retirement, contact your RSO for benefits assistance and for special program items such as the retiree councils, Retiree Appreciation Days, and installation retiree newsletters.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 18 at 2017 11:49 AM

2017-09-18T11:49:23-04:00

Looks like you got the good word on the 20/60 thing. Make sure you transfer to the reserve/guard retired list (Fleet Reserve in the Navy equivalent) and don't resign. A resignation sets your pay at that point which you won't see until you're 60. You want the retired pay to be based on what it is when you turn 60.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 12:05 PM

2017-09-18T12:05:11-04:00

Wow a lot of these responses are excellent thank you all for the help. Too many people to call out by name but if you said more than go to S1 (I'm in theatre and separated by a large distance from my S1 likely until I re deploy to the states still a valid statement but not especially helpful for the next several months) then you helped me cut through a lot of the confusion I have been having trying to figure some of this out.
For my first post here I'm amazed how helpful you all have been. Thank you for the warm welcome

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 3:06 PM

2017-09-18T15:06:13-04:00

As previously stated 20 good years, provided your first contract was 6 good years, add that to 5 years active you have 9 more good years in the guard to get your retirement letter.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 5:45 PM

2017-09-18T17:45:49-04:00

Damn straight you will be able to. Get that Letter!!! Worth its weight in gold!!!