{"id":12062,"date":"2017-11-29T22:11:11","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T22:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/11\/29\/new-retirement-systems-retention-bonus-will-be-lowest-allowed-by-law\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:00:47","slug":"new-retirement-systems-retention-bonus-will-be-lowest-allowed-by-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/military-retirement\/2017\/11\/29\/new-retirement-systems-retention-bonus-will-be-lowest-allowed-by-law\/","title":{"rendered":"New retirement system\u2019s retention bonus will be lowest allowed by law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All five armed service branches have locked in their mid-career cash-payout plans as part of the military\u2019s new retirement system, and they\u2019ve all done it at the same level \u2015 the lowest allowed by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force announced Monday that it would provide a one-time payout at the 12-year mark of 2.5 times a service member\u2019s monthly basic pay as part of the Blended Retirement System. All troops entering service as of Jan. 1 will fall under the BRS<\/a>; active-duty members with less than 12 years of service, along with reserve-component members with less than 4,320 retirement points, can opt into the new setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard previously had set their payouts, known as \u201ccontinuation pay,\u201d at the minimum level. The pay is in addition to any other service bonuses and incentives, and requires a commitment to serve an additional four years. Guard and Reserve members would receive 0.5 times their monthly basic pay as if on active duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 1.6 million troops now in service can opt into the BRS or stay with the current system. Only those who opt in will be eligible to receive the continuation pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law establishing the BRS allowed the services discretion over the timing and amount of continuation pay. They could set the figure as high as 13 times a service member\u2019s monthly basic pay (up to six times basic pay for Guard and Reserve), and award it at any point between the member\u2019s eighth and 12th years of service. <\/p>\n\n\n\t