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Who is Eligible for National Guard/Reserve Retirement?
All active duty servicemembers and Reserve Component (RC) members are eligible for military retirement as long as they meet certain requirements. However, the eligibility for RC military retirement differs from that for active duty military retirement, so we have different calculators for each group.
Calculate active duty military retirement pay on this page or simply click the “Active Duty” button under “Status at retirement” on this calculator.
Across the Reserve Component, the eligibility for retirement is the same for all members.
Members of the Reserve Component include:
- Air National Guard
- Air Force Reserve
- Army National Guard
- Army Reserve
- Coast Guard Reserve
- Navy Reserve
- Marine Corps Reserve
See our complete guide on Guard/Reserve Retirement here.
How to Qualify for Guard/Reserve Retirement
If you’re in the Reserve Component, you must earn 20 qualifying years of service to qualify for retirement. To have a qualifying year in the RC, you must earn 50 points, commonly referred to as a Good Year.
Additionally, as part of the RC, you cannot claim retirement pay until age 60 unless you serve enough active duty time to earn an early Guard/Reserve Retirement. Since the military
How Is Guard/Reserve Retirement Pay Calculated?
Guard/Reserve retirement pay is based on a points system. The total number of retirement points earned during your career is divided by 360 to determine your equivalent years of service. This figure is then multiplied by 2.5% and your High-3 average base pay (the average of your highest 36 months of pay). The resulting percentage of your High-3 pay becomes your monthly retirement pay.
Earning Retirement Points
Reserve members earn points for various activities, such as drills, training, and active-duty service. For every day of active-duty service, you’ll receive one point. Read our detailed Guard/Reserve point guide here for a full breakdown of how to earn more retirement points.
Each point contributes to your retirement pay calculation. To find your points statement, use the following table.
| Reserve Component Branch | Where to Find Your Points Statement |
|---|---|
| Army National Guard | Go to IPPS-A Landing Page (army.mil). Select “HR Professional,” then select “View Retirement Points.” |
| Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard | Go to https://www.my.af.mil. Navigate to the Virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF), select “Self-Service Actions,” select “Personal Data,” and click “ANG/USAFR Point Credit Summary Inquiry (PCFARS).” |
| Army Reserve | Review your “Chronicle Retirement Point Statement DA 5016” at www.hrc.army.mil. Select the “My Record” tab to review. Note: CAC card required. |
| Marine Corps Reserve | Review your “Career Retirement Credit Report” at https://mol.tfs.usmc.mil/mol |
| Navy Reserve | Review your “Annual Retirement Point Record” (ARPR) at https://www.bol.navy.mil/ARPR/ |
| Coast Guard Reserve | Go to https://portal.direct-access.us. Click “My Reserve Points Statement” under the “Employee View” menu. |
At retirement, the total number of accumulated points is divided by 360 to convert them into equivalent years of service. This figure is then used in the retirement pay formula, which varies depending on the military retirement plan you are eligible for.
Other Factors That Impact Guard/Reserve Retirement Pay
Several key factors affect your retirement pay:
- Total Points Earned: Retirement pay increases with the number of points you earn during your career.
- High-3 Pay: Your retirement is calculated based on the average of your highest 36 months of pay.
- Rank and Time in Service: Higher rank and longer service generally mean higher pay.
- Retirement Plan: Your eligible retirement plan (Final Pay, High-3, or Blended Retirement System) determines how pay is calculated.
- Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA): Annual adjustments ensure retirement pay keeps up with inflation.
Outside of the eligibility requirements and how pay is calculated, most retirement benefits are fairly similar between active duty members and members of the Guard/Reserve. To learn more about the impacts on your military retirement pay, like how to figure out your retirement plan and how taxes will affect your retirement pay, see the following links:
- How to Figure Out Your Retirement Plan
- How to Calculate Your TSP
- How Rank Affects Pay
- Your Retirement Date
- Retirement Pay Cost of Living Adjustments
- Military Retirement Pay Tax Deductions
- Common Withholdings
- Disability Compensation & Retirement Pay
Final Thoughts on Your Future Benefits
The biggest differences between active duty and Reserve military retirement come down to the points system and when you are eligible to receive retirement pay and other benefits. While active duty service gets you access to military retirement faster, aspects of active duty service may not interest you. Whereas being in the Reserves will give you access to those strong VA benefits, but also allow you the opportunity to seek professional growth in the civilian workforce sector.