Complete all the tasks in the 36 - 24 months checklist then focus on the following decisions:

• If you have not already, schedule yourself (and your spouse) to attend a local Retirement Planning Seminar (contact your RSO) and the Army TAP (Transition Assistance Program). Get a headstart by viewing the briefings and information on the Retirement Planning page.

• Choose your estimated retirement date
  • Keep in mind your remaining service obligations and when they will be completed.
  • Plan your terminal leave—do you have enough leave to meet your needs or do you need to save leave?

• Review your Financial, Healthcare, and Survivor Planning
  • Are your savings on track or do you need to increase your efforts?
  • Update your estimate of retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan premiums and annuity using the calculator tools on MyArmyBenefits.
  • Review the TRICARE health insurance options for Retired Soldiers by entering your status as retired in the TRICARE Plan Finder. Notice any new changes to the options in the past 12 – 18 months.  Note: changes to TRICARE Select for Retired Soldiers went into effect 1 January 2021.  
  • Use the SBP planning tools on the DoD Actuary Page and the Soldier For Life SBP information page to help in your survivor planning.
  • Research VGLI and changing your SGLI to VGLI . Read more from the VA.
  • Consider buying civilian life insurance BEFORE applying for VA disability compensation.

• Complete all tasks in the 24 - 18 months checklist.