📋 How Early Retirement Works
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act allows Reserve and Guard members to reduce their retirement eligibility age below 60 (minimum age 50) based on qualifying active duty service after January 28, 2008.
- 90 days of qualifying service = 3 months reduction in retirement age
- Days can be cumulative across multiple orders
- Before FY2015: Days must be within the same fiscal year
- FY2015 and later: Days can span consecutive fiscal years
- Maximum reduction: 10 years (retire as early as age 50)
Add Your Active Duty Orders
No orders added yet.
Add your qualifying active duty periods above.
Your Early Retirement Eligibility
New Retirement Eligibility Age
Qualifying Orders Breakdown
ℹ️ Important Notes
- Only service after January 28, 2008 qualifies for early retirement
- 12304b orders qualify retroactively to 2011 (FY20 NDAA fix)
- Maximum reduction is 10 years (minimum eligibility age 50)
- Verify all qualifying service with your personnel office
📚 Quick Reference: Order Types Explained
✓ Qualifying Orders
Involuntary Mobilization
Called to active duty by the President during a national emergency. Up to 1 million reserves for up to 24 months.
Contingency Operations
Pre-planned missions requiring additional personnel. Includes combat operations, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions.
Preplanned Mission Support
Preplanned missions for combatant commander requirements. Qualifies for orders starting January 2011 or later.
National Emergency
Active duty during war or national emergency declared by President or Congress.
Voluntary Active Duty (ADOS/ADSW)
Voluntary tours, temporary duty, and special work. QUALIFIES for early retirement under current law.
CONUS Disaster/Emergency
Response to major disasters or emergencies within the United States under Title 10 authority.
Homeland Defense (Title 32)
National Guard duty for homeland defense when federally funded and responding to national emergency.
Medical Care Orders
Active duty for medical care, treatment, or medical evaluation purposes.
Stop Loss / Involuntary Retention
Involuntary retention on active duty during war or national emergency.
Recall of Retired Members
Retired members recalled to active duty for operational requirements.
Insurrection / Civil Disturbance
Called to active duty to suppress insurrection or enforce federal law.
Invasion / Rebellion Response
Called to active duty in response to invasion, rebellion, or inability to execute federal law.
⚠️ Check Your Orders Authority
ADT under 12301(d)
Active Duty for Training issued under 12301(d) authority. QUALIFIES - check the legal authority cited on your orders.
ADT under 12301(b)
Active Duty for Training issued under 12301(b) authority. Does NOT qualify - check the legal authority cited on your orders.
✗ Non-Qualifying Orders
Annual Training (AT)
Required annual training duty. Does not count toward early retirement.
Inactive Duty Training (IDT)
Regular drill weekends and unit training assemblies. Does not count toward early retirement.
Active Guard Reserve (AGR)
Full-time support duty. Specifically excluded from qualifying service.
Funeral Honors Duty
Duty to provide military funeral honors. Does not count toward early retirement.
Military Schools / PME
Professional Military Education and training courses. Does not count toward early retirement.