Military Reserve Retirees Approaching Age 60 Need to Take These Financial Steps

Published Jul 6, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

Set aside time to ensure that you make the most of these valuable benefits.

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Published Jul 6, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

A retired military reservist approaching age 60 needs to take several steps before starting to receive military retirement pay; needs to review their Survivor Benefit Plan election; and may prepare to switch to “regular” retiree Tricare coverage. Most reserve retirees are eligible to receive military retirement pay at age 60. However, service members with qualifying active-duty service may become eligible earlier. Under the reduced-age retirement rules, each block of 90 qualifying days of active duty in a fiscal year typically moves the pension start date three months earlier. The start of military retirement pay can not be earlier than age 50.