TRANSITIONING & RETIRING
RETIREMENT CHECKLIST
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.
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