Retirement Plan

The retirement plan is excellent because you can serve honorably for twenty years and then receive lifetime benefits. You may also contribute to the federal governments Thrift Savings Plan during your career.

After 20 years of qualifying active federal service (AFS), or 20 years of some combination of qualifying active duty and "non-regular (reserve component) service, individual are eligible for a retirement pension. The AFS pension is payable immediately upon retirement and can be between 50-75% of base pay at the time of retirement, based upon total years of service. The non-regular retirement is typically payable at age 60, and is also based upon time of service, both in terms of total years and accumulated points for credited time.

Good if you actually get it

Twenty years and you will receive half of your base pay of your last three years in the Army. Not a bad supplement to the income while you are retired at 41 and working toward another retirement.

I have not retired, but pension is substantial

50% of base pay after 20 yrs of service. The problem is that it is a pension, you do not own any equity. It would be better if the Army started offering 401K type plans with 5-7% matching.

Retirement is guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years of service.

The Retirement plan is great for those that can stick it our for 20 years. MULTIPLE benefits after retiring and almost as many for those that did just a few years.

Guaranteed check if retire for rest of life.