Your Date of Initial Entry into Military Service (DIEMS) determines which of the four retirement systems you will fall under.
- Final Pay Plan: For any service members with a DIEMS prior to September 8, 1980.
- High-36 Plan: For service members with a DIEMS between September 8, 1980 and July 31, 1986 , or with dates between August 1, 1986 and December 31, 2017 that did not elect a Career Status Bonus (CSB) or opt into the Blended Retirement System.
- Career Status Bonus (CSB/REDUX): For service members with a DIEMS between August 1, 1986 and December 31, 2017 who accepted a mid-career bonus at the 15-year mark and agreed to remain active duty for at least 20 years.
- Blended Retirement System (BRS): For service members with a DIEMS of 1 January 2018 or later, or those with earlier entry dates that opted in.
- Retirement payments under the BRS are the combination of a defined benefit plan (similar to predecessor plans) plus service member contributions and military service matching funds to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- Continuation pay (paid as a bonus) is offered at the mid-career mark, about the 12th year of service, for an additional 4-year commitment to serve.
- A lump sum payment option is also offered at the time of retirement.
