What is FEDVIP and when can I enroll after retiring from the Reserve?

FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program) provides voluntary dental and vision coverage for military retirees. You have a 91-day enrollment window starting 31 days before retirement and ending 60 days after. Missing this window means waiting until the Federal Benefits Open Season in November or December. Note: vision coverage requires enrollment in a TRICARE health plan. Enroll at benefeds.gov/military.

How is Air Force Reserve retirement pay calculated?

Reserve retirement pay is calculated by dividing your total retirement points by 360 (converting to equivalent years of service), then multiplying by 2.5% per year of service, then multiplying by your High-3 average base pay (the average of your highest 36 months of base pay). For example: 3,600 points ÷ 360 = 10 equivalent years × 2.5% = 25% multiplier × applicable base pay.

What is PCARS and why does it matter for Reserve retirement?

PCARS is the Air Force Reserve personnel system that tracks your retirement points and service history. Before retiring, you should request a PCARS audit to verify all points are correctly recorded. Errors in PCARS directly affect your retirement pay. Request your points history through your unit's personnel office or ARPC.

How long does it take to receive first retirement pay from the Air Force Reserve?

First retirement pay can take 4 to 6 months after your retirement date if your retirement order was not published before you separated. Plan your finances accordingly — DFAS will back pay from your retirement eligibility date, but the initial delay can be significant. Confirm your order publication status with your unit well before retirement.

Pre-Retirement Checklist

Q: How many years do I need to retire from the Air Force Reserve?

You need 20 qualifying years of service (also called good years) to be eligible for Air Force Reserve retirement. A qualifying year requires earning a minimum of 50 retirement points in that fiscal year. You will receive a 20-Year Letter (Notice of Eligibility) from HQ AFRC when you reach this milestone.

Q: When does Air Force Reserve retirement pay begin?

For most Air Force Reserve retirees, retirement pay begins at age 60. However, active duty service performed after January 28, 2008 can reduce your retirement age — each 90-day period of qualifying active duty reduces the retirement age by 90 days, to a minimum of age 50.

Q: What is a grey area retiree?

A grey area retiree is a former Reserve or Guard member who has completed 20 or more qualifying years and separated from drilling status, but has not yet reached retirement pay age (typically 60). During this period they hold a military ID card but do not yet receive retirement pay or full TRICARE benefits.

Q: What is RCSBP and when must I elect it?

The Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) provides an annuity to your survivors if you die before retirement pay begins. You must make your election within 90 days of receiving your 20-Year Letter. Missing this window results in automatic Option A, meaning no coverage until retirement pay begins. Your beneficiary must call 1-800-525-0102 to start the annuity upon your death — it is not automatic.

📅 Retirement Timeline — When to Do What

Work backwards from your planned retirement date.

12 Months Out

Confirm projected retirement date with your unit Verify you meet minimum service requirements (20 qualifying years of service) Request a full PCARS printout from vMPF — scrub every year for accuracy Identify any missing Active Duty orders (ADOS, MPA, AT) and gather originals + all modifications Request any missing DD214s using the myFSS knowledge article Verify TAFMS and 1405 dates with ARPC if you have 18+ years of service Create non-CAC logins NOW with your personal email — do NOT wait until you lose CAC access Review your RCSBP election (DD 2656-5) — confirm beneficiary and option are correct

6 Months Out

Submit PCARS correction requests if any points are missing (via myFSS ticket system) Download and save all AROWS orders (originals AND all modifications) Start VA Benefits Decision upon Discharge (BDD) Claim if on long-term orders ending within 180 days Submit retirement application via ARC Retirement Tab in myFSS (must arrive at ARPC 6 months prior or attach waiver MFR signed by active duty commander) Review DET RIO retirement page if you are an IMA member Confirm your last day of participation does NOT match your retirement date

3 Months Out

Complete DD 2656 (SBP election form) — save signed copy with your will Add sticky note to DD 2656-5 and DD 2656 in your safe: 'In the event I pass away, call 1-800-525-0102 to start the annuity' Verify retirement order has been published (delays of 4-6 months in first pay if not published before retirement) Transfer GI Bill education benefits if applicable (via MilConnect) Request copies of medical records from your MTF Print Career Data Brief from vMPF Print full Record Review from vMPF Download all PRDA documents from VPSC

1 Month Out

Confirm retirement pay estimate with DFAS or ARPC Ensure all beneficiary information is current in DEERS / milConnect Confirm TRICARE coverage transition plan Enroll in FEDVIP dental & vision — your 91-day window opens 31 days before retirement (closes 60 days after) — enroll at benefeds.gov/military Note: first retirement pay may take 4-6 months if order not published before retirement date — plan accordingly

📁 Records to Save Before Losing CAC Access

Warning: Once your CAC expires or is turned in, accessing military systems becomes difficult. Download and save these records NOW — before you need them.

vMPF — Career Data Brief (print all pages) vMPF — PCARS / Point Credit Summary (print ALL pages) vMPF — Record Review (print all pages) VPSC — PRDA (all documents) Medical Records (request a copy from your MTF) Transfer of Education Benefits Letter from MilConnect (if applicable) Screenshots of RRPA credit (if applicable) DD 2656-5 — RCSBP Election Certificate (keep original with your will) All AROWS orders — originals AND every modification for every set of orders All DD214s from every period of service Screenshot of RCSBP election details page (showing beneficiary name and option selected)

🔐 Non-CAC Logins — Create These With Your Personal Email

Danger: Use your PERSONAL email address — NOT your military .mil or civilian work email. You will lose access to those accounts when you separate.

System	Purpose	Link	Notes
OKTA (vMPF)	Access vMPF and myFSS after separation	https://af.okta.mil	Required to access myFSS
myFSS	Tickets, retirement application, PCARS	https://myfss.us.af.mil	Requires OKTA enrollment
myPay (DFAS)	Pay, W-2s, retirement pay LES	https://mypay.dfas.mil	Create before retirement
DS Logon	VA, milConnect, TRICARE access	https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/...	Foundation for many military sites
Login.gov	Federal systems access	https://login.gov	Increasingly required
milConnect (DEERS)	ID cards, benefits, dependents	https://milconnect...	Uses DS Logon

📋 Orders Naming Convention for PCARS Submissions

When submitting orders to correct missing retirement points, name each file exactly like this. Upload the original orders AND every modification separately — they go in as separate attachments.

        LastName_OrderType_Description_StartDate_EndDate
      

Smith_ADOS_Initial Order_15OCT2008_30SEP2009

Smith_ADOS_Mod 1_15OCT2008_30SEP2009

Smith_ADOS_Mod 2_15OCT2008_30SEP2009

Smith_MPA_Initial Order_01JAN2012_31MAR2012

Smith_AT_Initial Order_10JUN2015_24JUN2015

Pro Tip: In AROWS: click the order number → find Status field → click the down arrow → choose 'History – Modifications'. A new window opens showing all mods — print them all.

Submit PCARS Correction on myFSS →

🛡️ SBP & RCSBP — Plain English

RCSBP ("Before You Draw Pay")

Elected at your 20-year letter — before retirement pay starts
Option A: Defer all decisions until age 60
Option B: Reduced annuity at age 60
Option C: Full coverage — spouse receives 55% of retired pay if you die (most common)
No premiums during grey area — deducted from retired pay once it begins
DD 2656-5 is your election form — save it with your will

SBP ("When Pay Starts")

Elected via DD 2656 when retirement pay begins at age 60
Premium: 6.5% of gross monthly retired pay
Spouse receives 55% of your gross retired pay for life
After 2 years: one-year window to drop it — permanently out if dropped
After 30 years of premiums (360 payments): premiums stop, coverage continues free
If beneficiaries change: you have ONE YEAR to notify DFAS

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Your beneficiary must CALL to start the annuity. If they forget, the Air Force will NOT back pay missed months. Tape a note to your DD 2656-5 in your safe: 'Call 1-800-525-0102 to start the annuity.'

🦷 Dental & Vision After Retirement — FEDVIP

FEDVIP = Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Military retirees are NOT automatically covered — this is a voluntary, enrollee-pay-all program. You must actively enroll.

⏰ Enrollment Windows

Newly retired: 91-day window — starts 31 days before retirement, ends 60 days after
Open Season: Every November–December (Federal Benefits Open Season)
Qualifying Life Events: Marriage, divorce, move — changes allowed outside open season

⚠️ Miss your 91-day window and you wait until the next open season in November.

📋 Program Details

Dental: Available to most retired uniformed service members and eligible family members
Vision: Requires enrollment in a TRICARE health plan — enroll in TRICARE first
Premiums: Post-tax, paid via bank withdrawal or payroll deduction
Dependents: Children covered to age 21, or age 23 if full-time student
Carriers: Multiple national and regional plans to compare

Enroll at BeneFEDS.gov → AF Benefits FEDVIP Guide →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many years do I need to retire from the Air Force Reserve?

You need 20 qualifying years of service (also called "good years") to be eligible for Reserve retirement. A qualifying year requires earning a minimum of 50 retirement points in that fiscal year. You'll receive your 20-Year Letter (NOE) from HQ AFRC when you reach this milestone.

When does Air Force Reserve retirement pay begin?

For most Reserve retirees, retirement pay begins at age 60. However, qualifying active duty service performed after January 28, 2008 can reduce your retirement age — each 90-day period reduces it by 90 days, to a minimum of age 50.

What is a grey area retiree?

A grey area retiree has completed 20+ qualifying years and separated from drilling status, but has not yet reached retirement pay age (typically 60). During this period they receive a military ID card but no retirement pay or full TRICARE benefits.

What is RCSBP and when must I elect it?

RCSBP provides an annuity to your survivors if you die before retirement pay begins. You must elect within 90 days of your 20-Year Letter. Miss it and you default to Option A (no coverage until pay begins). Your beneficiary must call 1-800-525-0102 to start the annuity — it is not automatic.

How is Reserve retirement pay calculated?

Total retirement points ÷ 360 = equivalent years of service × 2.5% per year × High-3 average base pay = monthly retirement pay. Example: 3,600 points ÷ 360 = 10 years × 2.5% = 25% of your High-3 base pay. Use the free Reserve Retirement Calculator →

How long does it take to receive first retirement pay?

First retirement pay can take 4–6 months if your retirement order was not published before separation. DFAS will back pay from your retirement eligibility date, but the delay can be significant. Confirm order publication with your unit well before retiring.

What is FEDVIP and when do I enroll?

FEDVIP provides voluntary dental and vision coverage for retirees. You have a 91-day window — 31 days before retirement through 60 days after. Miss it and you wait until the Federal Benefits Open Season (November–December). Vision requires TRICARE enrollment. Enroll at benefeds.gov/military →

🔗 Key Links

Air Force Benefits Website →

Comprehensive benefits library

DFAS Retired Military Forms →

Forms and pay documents

DD 2656 (SBP Election Form) →

Download official form

TRICARE Costs & Fees →

Current TRICARE out of pocket costs

DET RIO Retirement (IMA) →

Info for Individual Mobilization Augmentees

Grey Area Retiree Benefits →

What you get while waiting for age 60

DD214 Request (myFSS) →

Request missing discharge documents

Mock Retirement Certificate →

Preview your certificate

Retirement Letters You May Be Eligible For →

Presidential, spouse, and retirement certs

Total Force Service Center →

1-800-525-0102

Pre-Retirement Checklist & Guide