separation & retirement

From 3 years to 1 year Prior to Retirement

• (AGR) Accrue 60 days of leave

• See Financial Advisor - financial preparations and savings

• Life Insurance - review life insurance

• Children college

• Will and testament

• Initial Counseling Before 365

• Pre-separation counseling(Spouses/Caregivers)

• (DSGs/Techs) Review Reserve Retirement Pay Age and correct/update if needed

12 Months Out

• Apply for Retirement through vPC (can apply 12 months or less from retirement day)

  • Select appropriate retirement type: Reserve Retirement, Active Duty Retirement, or MSD/HYTD/Age 60

  • Ensure retirement order specifies "Transfer to the US Air Force Retired Reserve List" if electing Reserve Retirement

  • Ensure retirement order specifies "Transfer to the US Air Force Retired List" if electing an Active Duty retiremeent

  • Complete Data for Payment of Retired Personnel (DD2656).

• Attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) seminar

• Review Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and make SBP elections if needed

• (AGR) Look into Skillbridge opportunities

• Medical Records Prep

• Over 40 Physical

• Document everything!

• Gather outpatient records

• Radiology, X-Rays on disk (same day service)

• Make 2x copies of your records

• Register for VA eBenefits

• Get DS login password

• Burn pit registry

8 Months Out

• Retirement Ceremony Planning virtually through Zoom/Teams for COVID or in-person

  • Select and reserve venues

  • Guest list, invitations and base access, Block hotel rooms

  • Request Officiating Officer, Master of Ceremonies

  • Bio & agenda, Flowers/gifts, Catering/Reception

7 Months Out

• Attend 2nd TAPS Seminar

• VA Physical *Disability determination after retirement*

6 Months Out

• Create username/password for My Pay whileyou still have a CAC login.

• Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program

• Mandatory Retirement Brief

• SBP Election Appointment

• Coordinate Retirement Ceremony

3 Months Out

• AGRs Terminal Leave (up to 60 days) & Permissive TDY (up to 20 days) request - get authorization from unit commander for permissive/terminal leave request at least 30 days prior to PTDY/Terminal start date NLT 14 days prior to your final duty day.

• Obtain copies of all medical records

• Enroll for VA Healthcare Benefits if eligible

• Coordinate with Veteran Service Organization and apply for VA Disability if appropriate

• Pay off any TSP Loans

• Review VA Benefits

• Login to PRDA and download your entire record, then put on a disk

• Download copies of all orders from AROWS

• Complete 113 WG and AGR outprocessing checklists

2 Months Out

• Start Terminal Leave (up to 60 Days)

1 Month Out

• VGLI or Private Insurance (SGLI Ends)

• Contact Delta Dental if you desire to enroll in TRICARE Delta Program once retired

• Register Self/Family for Tricare Prime or Select by contacting Tricare

• File Permissive TDY Voucher with DFAS

• Schedule Retirement ID Card Appointment

• Schedule Household Goods (HHG) transportation with 316 Traffic Management Office (TMO) up to 1 year post retirement

• Check your state and local veteran tax laws

Lastly your final paycheck on ActiveDuty will likely NOT be directly available, nor paid on the pay cycle prior separation/retirement please plan accordingly.