Retirement

[LCpl Lamm]

Say someone got a commission in the USMC. He was active for say 8 years, then went reserve for 12. He retires at 20 years as a Maj. Would his retirement pay be the same as someone who retired at 20 years as a Maj, with all active duty service, no reserve duty?
Thanks,
Lamm

[USMCRET6391]

In a word.................No

[LCpl Lamm]

Can someone explain?
Thanks,
Lamm

[Ram0528]

When you're active & do your 20 years you start receiving your benefits after you retire. Even if you have active time, but retire as a reservist you have to wait until a certain age to receive your benefits (i believe 60 or 65).

[Vulture6]

Ram is correct. As a reservist retiree, you don't collect your retirement pay until 65 (there is a movement in congress to lower that age). The amount of your retirement pay is based upon the number of years that you served active plus the number of qualifying (or satisfactory) years that you had in the reserve. Also, in order to retire from the reserves, you have to have your last six consecutive years of reserve service qualify as "sat" years. If you have one "unsat" year where you didn't earn enough drill points, you have to serve an additional six years from that time.

It's a complicated formula.

So, a Major who retires with 20 years of active service will start receiving his retirement benefit in the month following his retirement. His paycheck will be MORE than a Major who retires with 10 years of active duty and 10 qualifying years of reserve duty... plus the reserve Major won't receive any retirement pay until he turns 65. Then again, a reservist who only does 10 years active will have worked for 32 years in a civilian job and have a civilian retirement plan (401k) as well.

I retired from the USAR with 2 years active and 18 good years ( 25 total ). I am going to assume that anyone now matter what branch you are in will upon your 20th complete year recieve a 20 year letter. This is key for retirement, no letter no retirement. Also at 60, 4 more years I start receiving my retirement check. Since I am also 100% disabled I also receive my retirement conculently with my disability check.
Remember you need that 20 year letter and make a good number copies and put it away. Also your retirement is based on points so as an active duty person for 8 years that is 1 point for everyday of active duty and then during the 12 years of reserve you receive points for weekend drill, 2 weeks of summer camp ( or winter camp ) and for any other military duty you perform which would entitle you for points.

[LCpl Lamm]

Thanks for the information and help everyone, I greatly appreciate it.
The reason I asked this is because if I want to become a COP while I'm in the Corps, I still want to stay in the Corps, so I'd go in the USMCR.
This is kind of off topic, but, how many years being a COP would a COP need to recieve his pension?
I know you can apply for disability, and get a pension, right?
Thanks,
Lamm