*Current as of June 17, 2024*
Retirees can apply no earlier than 12 months prior to their retirement effective date. It is recommended that applications are submitted no later than 180 days prior (earlier the better) to their retirement effective date to ensure payment and/or benefits are received on time.
How to apply for retirement:
1. Log into myFSS (Link: https://myfss.us.af.mil)
2. Complete/Sign DD Form 2656 (Age 60/RRPA and Regular Retirements only)
3. Click on “myRetirements”
4. Click on “ARC Retirements”
5. Select “Begin Application Process”
6. Read “Pre-Application Information”
7. Select “Application Information” and select applicable “Retirement Type”
myFSS First time Log-in Instructions
If unsuccessful, submit a trouble ticket to the A1 IT Service Desk by either of the following actions:
Learn how to correctly fill out the DD Form 2656:
DD FORM 2656 Instructions PowerPoint
Please access the retirements knowledge articles on myFSS for additional information:
https://myfss.us.af.mil/USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?pid=kA08300000001D8CAI
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Age 60 and Reduced Retired Pay Age (RRPA)
What is a “Gray Area” Retiree?
Gray Area Retirees are members who served in the Guard or Reserve, are qualified for retired pay, and have retired from their service (stopped drilling) but are not yet at the age where they can start receiving retired pay. The time between their retirement from the service and the date when they are eligible to begin receiving retired pay is the “gray area.” The “gray area” applies even if the member is in the Retired Reserve.
A Guard or Reserve member is generally not eligible to start receiving retired pay until they reach age 60. However, some periods of active duty or active service can reduce the age requirement below 60 years of age (Reduced Age Retirement). For more information on Gray Area Retirees please click here (Gray Area Retirees (dfas.mil))
Age 60/RRPA retirement for pay applications:
HQ ARPC is currently experiencing delays in processing Age 60 and RRPA pay request applications. Current delays have predominantly been caused by the increase in customer submitted, quality errors.
To streamline our processes, we have instituted a Quality Control team (QC) who are closing and returning erroneous applications to the applicant with instructions on what corrections are required and additional guidance. Please read the instructions in its entirety, correct all identified errors, and reapply in myFSS. Once the application has passed the quality review, the QC team will notify the applicant that their application has moved to the next step in the process.
If the application is returned for correction the applicants will not lose their place in the queue when they reapply since we process/prioritize based on the retirement effective date (60th birthdays or RRPA).
Once the application has passed the quality check, it will be approximately 10 business days for the applicant to receive their retirement order and the pay request to be sent to DFAS.
To give applicants more control in the process, we have provided a list of common errors ARPC’s Quality Control team encounters daily with instructions to prevent the applicant from replicating these errors:
DD Form 2656
- Block 4 Retirement/Transfer Date: applicants inputting their transfer to the retired reserve date.
- The correct date should be your 60th or Reduced Retired Pay Age (RRPA) date. See instruction page on the DD Form 2656 for more information.
- Members must have a confirmed RRPA date from myFSS. For more information see below.
- Block 7 Member or Former Member of the: applicants are selecting the incorrect blocks
- Select b. Reserve Component
- Select (2) Non-Regular Retirement
- Block 35: RCSBP election either missing or not matching original election
Note: See above for detailed instructions on the DD Form 2656
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Regular Retirement (20+ years Total Active Federal Military Service)
Requests are processed according to retirement effective date and the team is currently processing 10-12 months prior to the retirement effective date.
If errors are identified on the application and/or DD Form 2656, the team is returning erroneous applications to the applicant with instructions on what corrections are required and additional guidance. Please read the instructions in its entirety, correct all identified errors, and reapply in myFSS.
If not on continuous active duty up to the retirement effective date:
The application cannot be processed and will be placed in a waiting status until all points (active and/or inactive duty) are reflecting in the personnel system.
Correctly annotate the “Anticipated Last Day Member Will Accumulate Points” on your application. This is the last day you will be in any status (active duty orders, drill status, inactive duty training, etc.).
The application will then be processed approximately 2 weeks after “Anticipated Last Day Member Will Accumulate Points”.
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Reserve Retirement (20+ years Satisfactory Service)
Requests are prioritized according to retirement effective date and date submitted to ARPC. The team is currently processing 6 months prior to the retirement effective date.
Please be advised the Reserve retirement puts the members into the Gray Area.These members will still need to submit a separate application to initiate their retirement pay no earlier than 12 month and no later than 6 months prior to their RRPA or 60th birthday, as applicable. See above.
Note: Applications cannot be processed and will be placed in a waiting status until all points (Active and Inactive duty) are reflecting in the personnel system.Please ensure the “Anticipated Last Day Member Will Accumulate Points” on the application is accurate.This is the last day the applicant will be in any status (AGR orders, drill status, inactive duty training, ADOS etc.).The application will then be processed approximately 2 weeks after this date.
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Applications to receive a confirmed Reduced Retirement Pay Age
Requests are prioritized based on birth year, potential RRPA date and if the applicant is in the Gray Area. Members who are approaching Age 60, take immediate priority. Please note that these applications are reviewed concurrently with their Age 60/RRPA Retirement application and do not need to be reviewed before transferring into the Retired Reserve.
- For more information on RRPA and instructions on how to apply for a RRPA, please visit:
https://myfss.us.af.mil/USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?pid=kA0830000000104CAA
Please monitor your email for retirement application approval and notification indicating your order is available.
- For non-technical support (military retirement counseling) please contact the Reserve Retirement Counseling Cell (RRCC) or your local MPF/CSS/FSS.
- Note: The RRCC will help all Guard members who were Reserve Retired and in the “Gray Area”
- Please email arpc.dpt.rrcc@us.af.mil or call 1-800-682-1929 to make an appointment with the RRCC
- For more information on the RRCC please visit:
- For issues that are not common and need escalation please reach out to your local MPF/CSS/FSS to submit a Commander action line inquiry.
Note: this does not include status checks for applications or expedite requests for scenarios common to AF members