Applying for retirement pay begins by submitting an application through the Virtual Personnel Center, vPC. Individuals approaching their Retirement pay effective date (60th birthday or reduced retirement pay age) should submit an application four months prior to this date.
Applicants will be notified when a technician receives their application and will receive their retirement order two weeks prior to their effective date in most cases. Some exceptions are members who work up to their retired pay effective date and members who file late. Applicants who do not receive their order two weeks prior to their effective date are advised to submit a message to the retirement section via myPers, followed up by a phone call to the Total Force Service Center 1-800-525-0102.
With the retirement order, retirees are able to receive their retiree ID Card from their local military personnel service office and apply for healthcare through Tricare. HQ ARPC submits retirement orders to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DFAS, where they are processed to initiate the retirement payments. DFAS typically processes retirement pay 30-45 days after receipt of the retirement order, or retirement pay effective date, whichever is later. Once you have received your retirement order please direct questions or concerns to DFAS at 1-800-321-1080. IMPORTANT NOTE: HQ ARPC DOES NOT PROCESS RETIREMENT PAY.
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2008 reduced the retirement age for Reserve Component airmen from 60 to a lesser age, not to be any earlier than age 50. The reduced retired pay age is calculated with qualifying service days on or after Jan. 29, 2008.
Orders citing the applicable section of law are required documents. Airmen should maintain copies of their active duty orders and provide them for the Reduced Retired Pay Age Application.
Orders publishing authorities must ensure proper statutory authorities are included on orders.
Airmen will receive all retired pay benefits (e.g., commissary, base exchange, etc.) except:
*Current as of December 1, 2020*
Retirees can apply no earlier than 12 months prior to their retirement effective date. It is recommended that applications are submitted no later 120 days prior to their effective pay date to ensure payment is received on time.
HQ ARPC is currently processing:
Applications for retirement pay for current applicants age 60 and over, or reaching age 60 in January 2021 (Applications for retired pay for retirees approaching age 60)
Retired Reserve Applications are processed within 30 days of receipt (Applications for retirement for members retiring from the Guard and Reserve. Not pay related.)
AF Reserve/ AGR Retirements are processed within 30 days of receipt (Applications for members who qualify for an active duty retirement (points, Total Active Federal Military Service)
Please monitor your email for retirement application approval and notification indicating your order is available in myPers under your “My documents area.” Please note that Tricare will honor a retroactive enrollment into a Tricare policy due to substantiation of a government administrative error. Please contact Tricare at 800-444-5445 (Tricare East) or 844-866-9378 (Tricare West) or visit at https://tricare.mil for specific guidance regarding Tricare enrollment. In addition, DFAS will process retroactive to the effective date of retired pay.
The DD Form 2656 should be filled out and submitted no earlier than 4 months and no later than 30 days before your 60th birthday. Learn about the Retirement Application Process (how-to video).
Electronically Submit Your Retirement Application via myPers OR Mail Your Retirement Application to: HQ ARPC / DPTTR 18420 E. SILVER CREEK AVE BLDG 390, MS68 BUCKLEY AFB, CO 80011-9502
Applying for retirement pay
Reduced retired pay age
Retirement Application Process
Retirement Application Tracker Instructions Point Valuation for Retirement Benefits (2019) Reservist and Guardmembers
Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan Fact Sheet Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan Calculator Retired Pay Calculator
Veteran/DoD Benefits Portal
Reduced Retired Pay Age
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
If you have a myPers account you can create a ticket to ask questions or check on a ticket status. You can also use myPers to update your address.
If you do not yet have a myPers account please create an account. If you are unable to create an account or otherwise experience technical difficulties, please contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.