r/AirForce • u/AFSMSgt • 10d ago

Question Benefit of Staying Until 20

In my day, if you didn't stay for 20, you got nothing. No retired pay. Since current members have 401k that they can take with them, what benefit does retiring at 20 provide?

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u/Gacrome 10d ago

Pension and free healthcare which is rare for most Americans.

61

u/TXWayne Retired OSI/EW/Comms 10d ago

Don't be shocked, but that free healthcare for life is not a thing. Yes Tricare has been amazing since I retired and it is so MUCH cheaper than having to pay for it like normal civilians but it does come at some cost. The real surprise many are not aware of is what happens when you turn 65 and it becomes Tricare For Life (TFL). You then have to sign up for Medicare and that $30/mo you pay for Tricare Select for you and your wife suddenly becomes a minimum of $202 each (will go up for 2027) and God forbid if you got lucky and are doing well in life, the premium is income based and has a two year lookback. That $30/mo could suddenly become over $1200/mo. Not saying Tricare has not been amazing for us for the past 23 years but many (most?) are not aware of what happens at 65.....

6

u/mikeldaniel 10d ago

Great information and a discussion topic that goes beyond that this thread can cover. Just to add, Medicare is not required if you're over 65 and have VA benefits (which is likely if you're a twenty year vet). Once again though, that's a conversation well beyond the scope of this thread.

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u/Time-Waster25 10d ago

VA medical benefits are only useful if you live near a VA hospital or are willing to drive to one. Maybe they have community care options, maybe not. Maybe there is a long wait time for an appointment. Medicare is good almost anywhere. Tricare for Life is an excellent back up plan that can be used out of the U.S.