Mandatory separation ages change for Reserve officers

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WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) --  Air Force Reserve officers, if otherwise eligible, can now stay in the service longer before reaching their mandatory separation age.

The change is a result of provisions in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, but eligible officers still have the option of voluntarily separating or retiring before their mandatory age.

In the past, brigadier generals and below had to retire or separate when they reached age 60. Now they can stay until age 62. The age for major generals rose from 62 to 64.
With the approval from the secretary of the Air Force, chaplains and officers in some health professions may remain in an active status until age 67.

Additionally, mandatory separation dates because of years of commissioned service restrictions have not changed. Unless otherwise continued, lieutenant colonels must separate or retire when reaching 28 years of commissioned service. The limit for colonels is 30 years.

Although the authorization act changed mandatory separation ages, it did not change when officers become eligible to draw retirement pay. If they meet all other requirements for retirement, they may apply for retired pay upon reaching age 60.

Also unchanged is the requirement for an individual to request approval from the secretary of the Air Force to continue to receive service credit for any service performed once becoming qualified for retired pay, which typically occurs at age 60.

More information and a list of frequently asked questions are available at: http://arpc.afrc.af.mil/separations/msd.asp. 

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