Has anyone in here continued on with the reserves after 20 years instead of just retiring? Is there a benefit to that or is it just more unnecessary stress? I’m at 19 and I’m thinking about continuing on as an IMA until my 30.
Palace Front Instead of Retirement
byu/gypsy999 inMilitaryFinance
Posted by gypsy999
4 Comments
You’re “going to work for half pay”. In the end it’s more money than not doing it, but you could make significantly more collecting your retirement and getting a civilian job.
Not worth it for most people.
The only time I’ve seen it was when they were able to promote in the reserve when they weren’t competitive for regaf. It was a colonel. Otherwise take the money and run. If you want to stay on, just stay in.
There is a very, very small number of people who can retire from active duty AND serve in the reserves at the same time. Last time I checked it was Air Force pilots and Army Warrant Officers.
Recently retired Army WO here. I received emails from both the Army and Air Force reserves shortly after retiring, offering me “the chance to continue serving” but the fine print said I’d be forfeiting my military pension and VA disability for any days spent drilling. Didn’t seem worth it since I immediately stepped into a GS position and started a second career.