New York Army National Guard M-Day Retirement

Traditional Soldiers working until age 60 should contact an RSO approx. 6 months in advance of retirement. There is a delay of at least 6 months before receiving your first retirement check.

Soldiers that have already retired should contact an RSO one year prior to age 60 or one year prior to collecting retirement pay (Reduced Age Retirements included). There should be no delay in receiving your first check.

Upcoming Retirement Planning Seminars

Date TBD
Syracuse Armory
6900 Thompson Rd, Syracuse NY 13211
Map/Directions
Max Attendees: 70

Army Retirement Services

Army Retirement Services develops Army policies and oversees Army wide programs that educate Soldiers and their families about retirement, advise survivors of soldiers who die on active duty/inactive duty for training, advocate for and advise Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses until death in order to comply with federal laws and DoD and Army policies, convince Retired Soldiers to remain active Soldiers for life who help Veterans get hired, inspire the next generation to join the military, and connect Americans with the Army that defends them. Visit the Army Retirement Services website.

Pre-Retirement Services

Provide detailed retirement planning and SBP briefings for all retiring Soldiers monthly or as required (encourage spouses to attend).
Counsel Soldiers and Family members about retirement benefits and entitlements. Conduct group and individual retirement planning briefings as needed.
Conduct group and individual SBP counseling for all retiring Soldiers and their Family members.
Conduct RCSBP counseling, as requested, for RC Soldiers, and their Family members within 60 days after receipt of the NOE for Retired Pay (15-year or 20-year NOE).
Assist retiring RC Soldiers and Family members, as requested, with completion of the DD Form 2656–5, upon receipt of the NOE for Retired Pay (15-year or 20-year NOE).
Assist retiring Soldiers and Family members with completion of DD Form 2656 and DD Form 2656–1, if applicable.
Assist retiring RC Soldiers and Family members with completion of the retirement application including DD Form 108 (Application for Retired Pay Benefits), DD Form 2656, and SF 1199A (Direct Deposit Sign-up Form).
Provide an estimate of the Reduced Age Retirement eligibility date, as applicable.
Process the DD Form 2656 electronically using applicable personnel system(s) to DFAS–CL.
Provide information about retiring, such as retirement application processing, retirement orders, DD Form 214 processing, and final out processing procedures.
Provide information about and promote use of Change of Mission for retirement planning.
Provide information about Army Echoes and converting Soldiers’ enterprise email addresses in myPay to commercial email addresses before retirement.
Provide information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses, and former spouses about the USFSPA.
Advise Soldiers about Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and assist them in applying for benefits.
Advise Soldiers about Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay (CRDP).
Advise retiring Soldiers about electing a lump sum benefit at retirement and the impact of that election on monthly retired pay and the SBP premiums and annuity.
Advise Soldiers retiring under the BRS about electing a lump sum benefit at retirement and the impact of that election on monthly retired pay and the SBP premiums and annuity.

Post-Retirement Services

Publish garrison Retired Soldier newsletters annually. Post a copy to the local Retirement Services Office webpage.
Conduct an annual Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD).
Provide periodic articles for installation and local newspapers and other media. Advise Retired Soldiers about CRSC and assist them in applying for benefits.
Advise Retired Soldiers about CRDP.
Advise Retired Soldiers and Family members how to obtain copies of lost documents (for example, DD Form 214, DD Form 220 (Active Duty Report), retirement orders, and medical records); reissued military awards; and military identification cards.
Provide Retired Soldiers and their Families with information and referrals for benefits/entitlements provided by the Department of Veter- ans Affairs, Tri-service medical care (TRICARE), Social Security, Medicare, and other providers.
Inform Retired Soldiers of their eligibility to receive employment services from the Army Transition Assistance Program on a space avail- able basis for the rest of their lives.
Use the DRAS to resolve pay matters and update personal information for Retired Soldiers, Family members, and survivors.
Advise and assist Retired Soldiers in maintaining their SBP and RCSBP elections.
Counsel and assist survivors of Retired Soldiers, and Soldiers who die on active duty or IDT about their SBP options and entitlements, and the proper processing of their SBP applications including counseling about Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indem- nity Compensation (DIC) and its relationship to SBP.
Provide information and filing assistance for the annuity for certain military surviving spouses. Provide information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses, and former spouses about the USFSPA.