Understanding your retirement options early helps prevent delays, missed eligibility, or unintended separation. This page helps you identify the correct retirement path, understand submission requirements, and know when to act.
Retirement is not automatic for Individual Reservists (IRs). Members must apply.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Retirement Application Processing Status
To ensure we serve our members in a timely manner, applications are prioritized by the date of retirement, not on a first-in, first-out basis. Our team is currently reviewing a queue of 120 applications which will then be forwarded to ARPC for final processing.
We are currently processing applications with a retirement date of June 2026.
Urgent retirement cases will continue to be prioritized. We appreciate your patience as we work through all applications.
Questions About the Process?
Reserve Retirement Counseling Cell (RRCC)
Email: arpc.dpt.rrcc@us.af.mil
Phone: 1-800-682-1929
Step 1: Identify Your Retirement Option
How to Select the Correct Retirement Type in myFSS
- Before submitting your retirement application, confirm the correct retirement type
- Your retirement type depends on whether you will begin receiving retired pay on your retirement date
If retired pay begins on your retirement date
- Select one of the following retirement types in myFSS
- RRPA Retirement (Reduced Retirement Pay Age)
- Active-Duty Retirement
If retired pay does NOT begin on your retirement date
- Select Reserve Retirement
- Note: Applies even if you have completed 20 years of satisfactory service AND will receive reduced retired pay at a later age in the future.
How to Determine if You will Receive Retired Pay: Members can verify their Reduced Retirement Pay Age (RRPA) by using the Career Calculator in myFSS. If your retirement date is on or after your RRPA date, you may select RRPA Retirement. If your retirement date is before your RRPA date, select Reserve Retirement.
Example: Your retirement date and your retired pay eligibility date may not be the same. A member may retire with 20 years of satisfactory service but not begin receiving retired pay until their RRPA date or age 60. In this situation, the correct retirement type is Reserve Retirement because retired pay does not begin immediately.
Step 2: Routing
(Applies to All Retirement Types)
All Individual Reservist retirement applications follow the same submission pathway:
- Submit retirement request in myFSS → myRetirements
- Attach any applicable supporting documentation
- Applications are processed and finalized by ARPC Retirements with coordination from HQ RIO and TMC
Routing Guidance (Effective through 6 Jan 26): Members should route retirement applications in myRetirements to the current Retirements POC:
- Effective 6 Jan 26: TSgt Michael Penaso
Please DO NOT submit your retirement application to your Detachment Commander. We are aware of that statement in myRetirements and are working to get that corrected. Because routing requires selection of a specific technician, members must verify the routing POC on the webpage prior to submitting their retirement application. Retirement applications are processed by the HQ RIO Retirements Team in coordination with TMC and ARPC Retirements. Eligibility and timing are validated based on the retirement option selected.
Compare Retirement Options
Use the table below to confirm eligibility, retired pay timing, and key considerations before submitting your application.
|
Category
|
Reserve Retirement
|
Regular (Active Duty) Retirement
|
Reduced Reserve Retirement Age
|
|
Most Common For
|
Career Individual Reservists
|
Individual Reservists with extensive active duty service
|
Reserve retirees with qualifying post-2008 active duty
|
|
Primary Eligibility
|
20 years satisfactory service or AAC 37 with at least 15 years
|
20 years TAFMS; Officers require 10 years TAFCS
|
Eligible for Reserve Retirement with qualifying active duty
|
|
Type of Service Used
|
Reserve points and satisfactory years
|
Total Active Federal Military Service
|
Reserve service plus qualifying active duty
|
|
When Retired Pay Begins
|
Normally at age 60
|
Immediately upon retirement
|
Earlier than age 60 (minimum age 50)
|
|
Pay Timing Notes
|
Pay delayed until eligibility age
|
No delay in retired pay
|
Each 90 days of qualifying duty reduces age by 3 months
|
|
Retirement Effective Date Rules
|
Must align with approved retirement date
|
Must be 1st day of the month; cannot exceed MSD, HYT, or ETS
|
Same as Reserve Retirement
|
|
Special Considerations
|
Gray Area Retiree status applies
|
Sanctuary provisions may apply near 18–20 years TAFMS
|
Age reduction must be validated and calculated
|
|
Application Required
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes (requested with Reserve Retirement)
|
|
Where to Apply
|
myFSS → myRetirements
|
myFSS → myRetirements
|
myFSS → myRetirements
|
|
Who Processes
|
ARPC Retirements with HQ RIO and TMC
|
ARPC Retirements with HQ RIO and TMC
|
ARPC Retirements with HQ RIO and TMC
|
Before You Click Submit
- Confirm you selected the correct retirement option
- Verify the requested retirement date aligns with eligibility and timing rules
Ensure the following documents are attached:
- Active-Duty Concurrence Memorandum (signed by AD Commander)
- Current PCARS (from vMPF)
- Six-Month Waiver (if submitting within six months of requested retirement date)
- Any other applicable supporting documents IAW your retirement option
Incomplete applications will be returned to member in myRetirements.
Step 3: What Do I Need to Submit?
Required system
myFSS → myRetirements
Items Required
- Retirement application submitted in myFSS
- PCARS - Point Credit Summary (pulled by the member from vMPF)
- AD/CC memo retirement acknowledgement (Template provided in Helpful Resources below)
Supporting documentation (if applicable)
- Approved 6-month waiver (Required when application is submitted fewer than 180 days before the requested retirement date)
- DD Form 2656 (for members applying for retired pay)
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce decree
- Death certificate
- Current active-duty orders
Step 4: When Should I Apply?
Reserve Component retirement applications must be submitted no earlier than 12 months and no later than 180 days (6 months) before the requested retirement date.
Applications submitted fewer than 180 days prior to the requested retirement date require an approved waiver. Approval is not guaranteed and may delay processing.
Important reminders
- Participation for pay or points is not authorized on or after the retirement effective date
- If applying during the 19th year of service, the retirement date must be after the R/R date
Finality of orders
- Once approved and effective, retirement orders are final
- Changes or withdrawals are approved only in rare circumstances such as administrative error or prohibiting conditions
Step 5: Common Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming retirement is automatic
- Applying fewer than 180 days before the requested retirement date without a waiver
- Selecting the incorrect retirement type
- Submitting an application without the required Unit Commander Retirement Concurrence Memorandoum
- Submitting an application without a PCARS attached
- Overlooking sanctuary provisions when nearing 18 - 20 years TAFMS
- Misunderstanding when retired pay begins
- Assuming Reduced Reserve Retirement Age is applied automatically
- Attempting to change or withdraw approved retirement orders
- Participating for pay or points after the retirement effective date
What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
After your retirement application is submitted in myRetirements, it is reviewed and processed by ARPC Retirements. If additional information or corrections are required, you will be notified through myRetirements. Once approved, you will receive a notification, and your retirement orders will be published for download.
Step 6: Need Help or Counseling?
Reserve Retirement Counseling Cell (RRCC)
Provides assistance with retirement eligibility, estimated retired pay, reduced retirement age, and the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP).
Email: arpc.dpt.rrcc@us.af.mil
Phone: 1-800-682-1929
Step 6: Templates
DAFI 36-3203 https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi36-3203/dafi36-3203.pdf)
RIO- IR Retirement Checklist
AD/CC Memo Template
DD Form 2656
How to Upload Documents & Route Retirement Application
How to Access and Print Your PCARS in vMPF