RETIREMENT PROCESS
THE BASICS
Begin the planning and preparation for your Active Army/AGR retirement 24 to 36 months before your retirement date:
- Retirement is a process, not an event.
- Maintain a positive attitude—it impacts everything.
- Preparing for retirement may take as much time as a second job—start early.
- Understand how your retirement impacts others, especially your household--include your spouse/significant other in all retirement planning.
Click on each of the time periods in the timeline below for information on what should be researched, considered, and done during each phase of retirement planning.
THE TIMELINE
Start Researching
It is important to begin planning for retirement about three years from your target retirement date.
Begin Decision Making
About 24 months before your planned retirement date, begin getting your finances in order and schedule to attend an Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) seminar.
Set the Date
Now is the time to set your retirement date and look more intently into your possible paths after retirement.
Submit Retirement Request
It is time to submit your retirement request, plan your Administrative Absence and terminal leave dates, receive SBP counseling, and schedule your retirement physical.
Focus on Retirement & Execute Plans
Now is the time to focus on retirement and what's next.
Final Preparations & Actions
Time to finalize retirement ceremony plans and take action on dental and vision plan enrollement, and complete other necessary tasks.
