Military Separation and Retirement

Transitioning to civilian life is just like everything else in military life. The more preparation you do, the more smoothly everything goes. Whether you’re moving on after one tour of duty or you’ve put in 20 years or more, you have a lot to do as you bring your military career to a close.

Your first step should be connecting with the Transition Assistance Program of your service branch. Here, you’ll find detailed information about what’s included and how to connect with your service branch’s program. Make sure you schedule your pre-separation counseling no fewer than 90 days before separation. Arrange your final medical exam. Attend an employment workshop. Give yourself time when scheduling your final move.

Review your military retirement pay, benefits and expenses to plan your budget and calculate what you’ll have each month, including your monthly retirement pay. Remember that federal and state taxes will be withheld from your retirement, and just like your active-duty pay, your retirement pay adjusts annually based on the cost of living to protect your income against inflation.

As an active-duty service member, you receive numerous benefits. What happens to them when you retire? It can vary greatly.

You want your transition out of the military to go smoothly. Take advantage of the professional assistance provided by Military OneSource for service members and military spouses. You can receive personalized support to help you navigate the resources, benefits and programs available to you and your family.