Early Retirement for More Than 350 Airmen

"...The Air Force recently approved the applications of nearly 360 airmen for early retirement under a limited, voluntary program intended to help the service whittle down its force size to meet authorized active-duty end strength numbers.  

Of those approved to retire early under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, there were 311 enlisted and 47 officers, according to information from Michael Dickerson, a spokesman for the Air Force Personnel Center.  

The program gave eligible airmen the option to retire before reaching 20 years -- when traditional retirement benefits usually kick in -- while receiving close to one's full retirement pay..."

Read more at Military.com

Early Retirement for some Army Officers

"...The Army is convening an early retirement board this summer aimed at thinning its ranks of colonels and lieutenant colonels through involuntary retirement.

Army Deputy Chief Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg released a letter to the force April 5 detailing the plans. He said the effort is a "necessary step" to meet the 2017 drawdown goal of 490,000 active duty troops..."

Read more at al.com

Army Offering Early Retirement to Soldiers

"...Soldiers with at least 15 but less than 20 years of service may be eligible for early retirement.

According to Army Directive 281/2012, titled "Temporary Early Retirement Authority," or TERA, officers and warrant officers who have twice failed selection for promotion to the next grade and noncommissioned officers denied continued service as a result of an approved qualitative service program centralized selection board are eligible for the program.

"Soldiers who elect to retire under TERA and are approved, will receive full retirement benefits at a slightly reduced annuity," said Gerald Purcell, the enlisted personnel policy integrator with Army G-1..."

Read more at The United States Army

Evaluating Early Retirement

"...Amid the ongoing exit of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, more service members are mulling a shift to the civilian work force and asking the key financial question: What will I miss if I walk away from my military pension?

The short answer: A lot.

A corporation may be able to outbid the military when it comes to an ex-soldier’s new salary. But to truly calculate that wage rate, service members need to know what their sacrificing in taking that civilian paycheck, Lankford said..."

Read more at U.S. News

Navy Early Retirement Board Announced

"...The U.S. Navy has approved the Sept. 11 convening of a fiscal year (FY) 2013 Selected Early Retirement (SER) board for active duty supply corps commanders. Supply corps commanders being considered are those who have not been selected for captain two or more times and are within the defined zone. Only officers being considered by the SER may communicate with the selection board. Board correspondence must arrive before midnight Sept. 10 via mail or by e-mail at cscselboard@navy.mil. For eligibility zone information and other key SER details, see NAVADMIN 244/12 on the Navy Personnel Command website at www.npc.navy.mil...."

Read more at military.com

Marine Corps Will Offer Early Retirement with Benefits

"...The Marine Corps soon will offer early retirement with benefits to some troops as part of force-shaping efforts aimed at cutting 20,000 jobs from the rolls over the next four years, Corps officials said this week.

Under the plan, expected to start this fall, Marines and officers with 15-20 years of service will be offered early retirement with benefits. It’s part of a larger Marine initiative that includes voluntary early discharges and the convening of a selective early retirement board for lieutenant colonels and colonels already eligible for 20-year retirement benefits, who have stagnated in their grade..."

Read more at Stripes