Why does the military send out retirement packets then tell the Service Member that they didn’t complete their mandatory years to serve?

My Spouse took the early out option (Clinton’s cutting the military) in 1995 with 17 years in and you had to have 15 to 19 yrs to take the option of a bulk sum with no retirement at age 60 OR 1 years pay and wait until your retirement age of 60 to receive your retirement packet then receive your monthly percentage for your rank. The agreement was you report to the reserve unit to receive the check but you do not complete your 20. When my Spouse received his packet A) he was told he did not serve in the reserves so therefore did not complete his 20, B) this was a 10 yr law that expired and he no longer qualified, C) whoever submitted his paperwork did not file it correctly so therefore he would not receive his retirement, D) the person never heard of that program so he was not eligible for retirement pay