Military Retirement Eligibility Basics

Eligibility for military retirement differs by component. Active-duty service members typically qualify for immediate retired pay after completing at least 20 years of active service, with the exact computation depending on their retirement system. Reserve and National Guard members instead earn retirement points toward 20 "qualifying years," but generally cannot begin drawing retired pay until age 60 — though certain mobilizations and qualifying active-duty periods can lower that age under current law. Medical (disability) retirement follows separate eligibility rules tied to a service member's fitness-for-duty determination rather than years of service. Because eligibility computations involve detailed rules around creditable service, breaks in service, and component transfers, service members should request an official retirement eligibility determination from their personnel office well before they expect to separate.