Retirement regulation updates take effect May 28

Army regulations dealing with certain aspects of military retirements, including those for non-regular service with the reserve components, have been updated, and will take effect May 28.

"Non-regular" retirement is a term used for reserve component soldiers who have completed 20 or more years of qualifying service for retired pay upon reaching age 60, or in some cases sooner, depending on the soldier's eligibility date.

Federal law and military regulations allow certain reservists to qualify for retired pay upon reaching age 60 with as few as 15 years of service if they have a debilitating physical condition. Computing eligibility for non-regular retirement is complex, and is spelled out in detail in the updated regulation.

Changes included in the AR 135-180 update include:

• Policies for determining reduced retirement age, and for determining retired pay eligibility when a soldier with at least 15, but fewer than 20, years of service is medically disqualified from further service.

• Updates policy defining qualified service as a reserve component soldier.

• Adds a policy for soldiers to elect to receive retired pay for non-regular service in lieu of retired pay for regular service.

• Provides instructions for obtaining retired pay application forms.

• Renames DA Form 5016-R (Chronological Record of Military Service) to DA Form 5016 (Chronological Statement of Retirement Points).

The revised AR 600-8-7 applies to the Regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve.

It provides detailed information on retirement services and Survivor Benefit Plan functions, and policies governing:

• Pre-retirement services.

• Post-retirement services.

• Career Status Bonus and Reduced Retirement Plan.

• Specific policies for the Army National Guard.

• Specific policies for the Army Reserve.

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