Retirement

Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay and 20-year Letter Retirement:

After completing 20 years of honorable service in the Army National Guard (ARNG) as a Traditional or M-Day servicemember, members are eligible to receive the Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay at Age 60 (NOE or 20-year Letter). The receipt of the 20-year letter confirms your qualification to retire at 20 years of honorable service, if desired, and for eligibility of retirement pay and Tricare Select (or Tricare Prime- only available in certain areas) at age 60. Service members who retire at the 20-year mark and who are under age 60 are eligible for the Tricare Retired Reserve (TRR) health plan. TRR is a premium-based health plan.

Age 60 Retirement:

Soldiers are encouraged to apply for their retirement pay 9 to 12 months prior to their 60th birthday.  Soldiers may qualify for an Early-Age Drop retirement under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. To determine eligibility, SMs should review their Retirement Points History Statement or speak with the state’s Retirement Services Officer.  It is advised that service members work with their unit administrative representative, Readiness NCO, or contact the G1 Retirement Services Office for assistance to complete the retired pay application.  Upon completion, packets are submitted to the Human Resource Command (HRC) at Fort Knox, KY for review and initial processing. Following the initial processing, packets are sent to the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) for pay processing.

 Receiving retirement pay IS NOT automatic.  If an application is not actioned, submitted, and processed, a retiree cannot receive retirement pay.  Be advised that receipt of retirement pay may be delayed up to 180 days due to HRC and DFAS processing times.

Required Documents:

  • DD Form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel)
  • DD Form 108 (Application for Retired Pay Benefits)
  • NGB 23 D (Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay (20-year letter) or 15-year letter
  • DD Form 1883 or DD Form 2656-5 (Survivor’s Benefits Election Certificate)
  • Separation Order from the National Guard
  • NGB 23A or NGB 23B - Retirement Points History Statement OR   DA 5016 - Chronological Statement of Retirement Points (after 01 September 2025)  *Statements must be closed out, reflecting final date in the ARNG.*
  • NGB 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) or DD 214-1 (after 15 May 2025)

To request an Application for Retired Pay Checklist and the required documents, please contact your unit Readiness NCO or Administrative Specialist or email G1 Retirement Services at: ng.tn.tnarng.mbx.g1-retirement-services@army.mil

Air National Guard - AGE 60 Retirement

Please use the following instructions to obtain retirement documents:

1. Go to your MyFss Login screen
2. Scroll down to MyFss Cases
3. Click on “Closed Cases.”
4. When you find your case click “details”
5. You will see Details, Communication, Related Documents Tabs
6. Click on “Related Documents”
7. From there you can download your documents

Please refer to the steps below to start the retirement process, all necessary documents will auto-populate. 

Step 1. Please fill out the DD 2656 – Retired Pay Application

Please follow the Instructions provided on the form to ensure your form is completed entirely and accurately. The DD 2656 must be completed prior to submitting application in MyFSS.

If you experience issues opening the attached DD 2656, download it directly from the DoD Forms website below (form must be downloaded and saved to your computer before it will open): https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2656.PDF

OR

reach out the Retirement Services Officer at 1 (800) 682-1929 or arpc.dpt.rrcc@us.af.mil


Step 2. Click "First-time Non-CAC User Registration"
and follow prompts to obtain a username/password

This will be our primary means of communication prior to reaching your retirement pay age.

The Reserve and Air National Guard "Gray Area" Retiree's Application Process is as follows:

1. Log into MyFSS (Link: https://myfss.us.af.mil)

2. Complete/Sign DD Form 2656 (Save in pdf format)

3. Click on "My Retirements"

4. Click on "ARC Retirements"

5. Click Begin Application

Step 3. Follow the How to submit an Age 60 Retirement application PDF for submission of DD 2656.

For one-on-one assistance please contact the Air National Guard / Reserve Retirement Counseling Cell:

RRCC Contact Info:

1 (800) 682-1929
Email: arpc.dpt.rrcc@us.af.mil

Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday
7:30AM-4:00PM CST

For Assistance with Retirement for Soldiers:

SGT Matthew Browning, Retirement Services Officer
email:  ng.tn.tnarng.mbx.g1-retirement-services@army.mil

Federal Civilian Retirement Assistance
Mrs. Teresa Foss
615-313-3016
email:  teresa.g.foss.civ@army.mil

Ms. Canary Gipson
615-313-2604
email:  canary.n.gipson.mil@army.mil

 

Tennessee Department of Veterans Services:  tn.gov/veteran

INFORM.     ADVOCATE.    HONOR.

If you are a resident of Tennessee and a Veteran visit us to obtain information on State benefits, assist & advocate with VA claims, pre-register for Veteran cemeteries