Earning Retirement Points, U.S. Army Human Resources Command

RonG

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Reference: HRC Homepage <---LINK
AR 140-185 and DODI 1215.07 governs awarding/crediting of retirement points.

Retirement point credit by activity:

  • Active Service - Active Duty (AD), Active Duty for Training (ADT), and Annual Training (AT)
  • Inactive Duty Service - Inactive Duty Training (Paid and Non-Paid), and membership points
Soldiers on Active Duty and Annual Training are awarded one retirement point for each calendar day they serve on active duty. Additional retirement points cannot be awarded for other activities while in an active duty status.

Army Regulation 140-185, Table 2-3, provides the criteria for the awarding of retirement points for IDT performed in accordance with DODI 1215.07 and Army Regulation 140-1. The two hour rule is only authorized for Funeral Honors duty per DODI 1215.07. Army Directive 2019-02 provides a new IDT Duty type called Voluntary Inactive Duty Training. The CAR provided a memorandum on 30 April 2019 providing implementation guidance of the Army Directive and states only IMA detachment Soldiers may request for retroactive credit of qualifying Voluntary IDT duty from 15 March 2016 through 30 April 2019. Voluntary IDT must involve preapproved special additional duties that are listed in the memorandum.

IRR (attached to a unit) and IMA Soldiers will have the unit representative submit all non-paid IDT duty DA Form 1380s monthly for processing and submission to the appropriate AHRC, Personnel Action Branch responsible for the Soldier. This process should ensure that the annual DA Form 5016 is accurate and current. IRR Soldiers must be attached per AR 140-10 to earn non-paid IDT Duty retirement points.

TPU Soldiers will submit all non-paid IDT duty DA Form 1380s monthly to their unit representative. Per AR 600-8-104, the unit is responsible to iPERM the DA Form 1380s. The unit representative will forward the request for retirement points to the AHRC Personnel Action Branch responsible for the action.

The IMA Detachment Commander will forward the non-paid DA Form 1379 and DA Form 1380s monthly to the LLO OCAR, whom upon validation of request, will forward request to AHRC, G-3 for award of retirement points. Upon acceptance of the request at AHRC G-3, the request for retirement points will be forwarded to the appropriate AHRC, Personnel Action Branch of the attached Soldier for award
of retirement points. LLO OCAR will provide command and control over the missioning, tasking, training, support and validation of the IMA Detachment unit.

The Defense Joint Military Pay System (DJMS) reports paid duty utilizing automation to the Retirement Point Accounting System. Soldiers may view the "Points Detail" for any missing paid USAR duty periods(active and inactive duty) after 1 September 1994. TPU, AGR and IMA Soldiers must forward missing duty utilizing the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or Master Military Pay Account (MMPA) to their unit representative, whom will forward the LES/MMPA to AHRC to validate and add missing periods of duty in the retirement point account of the Soldier. IRR Soldiers must forward missing duty utilizing the Leave and Earning Statement or Master Military Pay Account directly to appropriate Personnel Action Branch at AHRC to validate and add missing periods of paid duty in the retirement point account of the Soldier.

Military correspondence non-residential distance learning retirement point credit (1 retirement point per every 3 hours) was removed as a form of retirement point credit effective 15 April 2016.

Electronic-Based Distributed Learning - Paid IDT Duty for TPU only

Army Directive 2010-06 (Compensation of Reserve Component Personnel for Army Electronic-Based Distributed Learning) in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), 37 U.S.C. 206 (d)(2), and the Memorandum, USD (P&R), 29 Jun 08, subject: Policy on Reserve Component Electronic-Based Distributed Learning Compensation (EBDL) authorizes the "Paid" compensation for the successful completion of electronic-based distributed learning coursework for members of the Selected Reserve (TPU). Please contact USARC EBDL at [email protected] for further information.

IDT Duty rules

Most types of IDT duty points earned are covered by one of the following rules:

Four-Hour Rule

  • One point for each 4-hour period of IDT duty performed. Maximum of two points per calendar day applies to IDT duty. Duty must be 8 hours in duration to receive two points per day.
  • Meetings (Seminars, Symposia, Professional Development). Per DODI 1215.07, Soldiers will only be allowed one point per day. Each training periods must be a minimum of 4 hours in length.

Two-Hour Rule

  • Per DODI 1215.07, Soldiers receive one point for each day for performance of funeral honors duty. The duty must be a minimum 2 hours, including travel. Soldiers may perform no more than one Funeral Honors IDT duty per day.
  • Per Army Directive 2019-02 and the CAR memorandum, Voluntary IDT duty type is added as of 30 April 2019 and must involve preapproved special additional duties.

Maximum Points Allowed Per Year

There are four dates to keep in mind regarding the maximum inactive (non active duty) points allowed per retirement year.

Effective Date

Maximum Points Allowed

30 October 2007 to present

130

30 October 2000

90

23 September 1996

75

Prior to 23 September 1996

60

Currently, Soldiers are allowed a maximum of 130 points per year for IDT duty and membership points. Soldiers will be given credit for all Active Duty (AD), Active Duty Training (ADT), and Annual Training (AT) - including Funeral Honors Duty if performed in an active duty status -- beyond the maximum allowable limit for any given retirement point year up to 365 or 366 (Leap Year) days.

Soldiers must earn a minimum of 50 points per retirement year in order for that year to qualify as a creditable or "good" year for retirement purposes. If the Soldier fails to earn the minimum 50 points per year, that year will not count towards retirement. Soldiers may be subject to removal for failure to participate satisfactorily per AR 140-10 upon completion of 20 creditable good years to the retired reserve and/or discharge. Partial periods of service require completion of a minimal amount of retirement points in order to qualify for retirement purposes. For further information, review AR 140-185.

Corrections

For information concerning corrections of retirement points records, visit the Retirement Points Accounting System.

AHRC Personnel Action Branch Points of Contact:

Reserve Personnel Management Directorate:

Retirement Points Team - Enlisted (AGR, Non-AGR, and Retired Reserve)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 613-5964

Retirement Points Team - Officer (AGR, Non-AGR, Health Services and Retired Reserve)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 613-6727

Discharged Soldiers:

Veterans Inquiry Branch
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (888) 276-9472

---
See references for sources of information.

Ron
 
Reference: AR 635-200
Chapter 12 Retirement for Length of Service [regular retirement]

12–26. Periods not creditable for retirement [regular]

The following periods are not creditable for retirement under this chapter. [regular retirement]
a. All time required to be made good (see 10 USC 972). (See paragraph 1–21.)
b. Periods of service voided by the Government other than those voided because of minority.
c. Time in a non-pay (non-casualty) status under 37 USC 552(C).
d. Service in a Reserve Component not on
(1) Active duty. (2) Active duty for training. (3) Other full-time training duty.


Ron
 
Reference: HRC Homepage <---LINK
AR 140-185 and DODI 1215.07 governs awarding/crediting of retirement points.

Retirement point credit by activity:

  • Active Service - Active Duty (AD), Active Duty for Training (ADT), and Annual Training (AT)
  • Inactive Duty Service - Inactive Duty Training (Paid and Non-Paid), and membership points
Soldiers on Active Duty and Annual Training are awarded one retirement point for each calendar day they serve on active duty. Additional retirement points cannot be awarded for other activities while in an active duty status.

Army Regulation 140-185, Table 2-3, provides the criteria for the awarding of retirement points for IDT performed in accordance with DODI 1215.07 and Army Regulation 140-1. The two hour rule is only authorized for Funeral Honors duty per DODI 1215.07. Army Directive 2019-02 provides a new IDT Duty type called Voluntary Inactive Duty Training. The CAR provided a memorandum on 30 April 2019 providing implementation guidance of the Army Directive and states only IMA detachment Soldiers may request for retroactive credit of qualifying Voluntary IDT duty from 15 March 2016 through 30 April 2019. Voluntary IDT must involve preapproved special additional duties that are listed in the memorandum.

IRR (attached to a unit) and IMA Soldiers will have the unit representative submit all non-paid IDT duty DA Form 1380s monthly for processing and submission to the appropriate AHRC, Personnel Action Branch responsible for the Soldier. This process should ensure that the annual DA Form 5016 is accurate and current. IRR Soldiers must be attached per AR 140-10 to earn non-paid IDT Duty retirement points.

TPU Soldiers will submit all non-paid IDT duty DA Form 1380s monthly to their unit representative. Per AR 600-8-104, the unit is responsible to iPERM the DA Form 1380s. The unit representative will forward the request for retirement points to the AHRC Personnel Action Branch responsible for the action.

The IMA Detachment Commander will forward the non-paid DA Form 1379 and DA Form 1380s monthly to the LLO OCAR, whom upon validation of request, will forward request to AHRC, G-3 for award of retirement points. Upon acceptance of the request at AHRC G-3, the request for retirement points will be forwarded to the appropriate AHRC, Personnel Action Branch of the attached Soldier for award
of retirement points. LLO OCAR will provide command and control over the missioning, tasking, training, support and validation of the IMA Detachment unit.

The Defense Joint Military Pay System (DJMS) reports paid duty utilizing automation to the Retirement Point Accounting System. Soldiers may view the "Points Detail" for any missing paid USAR duty periods(active and inactive duty) after 1 September 1994. TPU, AGR and IMA Soldiers must forward missing duty utilizing the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or Master Military Pay Account (MMPA) to their unit representative, whom will forward the LES/MMPA to AHRC to validate and add missing periods of duty in the retirement point account of the Soldier. IRR Soldiers must forward missing duty utilizing the Leave and Earning Statement or Master Military Pay Account directly to appropriate Personnel Action Branch at AHRC to validate and add missing periods of paid duty in the retirement point account of the Soldier.

Military correspondence non-residential distance learning retirement point credit (1 retirement point per every 3 hours) was removed as a form of retirement point credit effective 15 April 2016.

Electronic-Based Distributed Learning - Paid IDT Duty for TPU only

Army Directive 2010-06 (Compensation of Reserve Component Personnel for Army Electronic-Based Distributed Learning) in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), 37 U.S.C. 206 (d)(2), and the Memorandum, USD (P&R), 29 Jun 08, subject: Policy on Reserve Component Electronic-Based Distributed Learning Compensation (EBDL) authorizes the "Paid" compensation for the successful completion of electronic-based distributed learning coursework for members of the Selected Reserve (TPU). Please contact USARC EBDL at [email protected] for further information.

IDT Duty rules

Most types of IDT duty points earned are covered by one of the following rules:

Four-Hour Rule

  • One point for each 4-hour period of IDT duty performed. Maximum of two points per calendar day applies to IDT duty. Duty must be 8 hours in duration to receive two points per day.
  • Meetings (Seminars, Symposia, Professional Development). Per DODI 1215.07, Soldiers will only be allowed one point per day. Each training periods must be a minimum of 4 hours in length.

Two-Hour Rule

  • Per DODI 1215.07, Soldiers receive one point for each day for performance of funeral honors duty. The duty must be a minimum 2 hours, including travel. Soldiers may perform no more than one Funeral Honors IDT duty per day.
  • Per Army Directive 2019-02 and the CAR memorandum, Voluntary IDT duty type is added as of 30 April 2019 and must involve preapproved special additional duties.

Maximum Points Allowed Per Year

There are four dates to keep in mind regarding the maximum inactive (non active duty) points allowed per retirement year.

Effective Date

Maximum Points Allowed

30 October 2007 to present

130

30 October 2000

90

23 September 1996

75

Prior to 23 September 1996

60

Currently, Soldiers are allowed a maximum of 130 points per year for IDT duty and membership points. Soldiers will be given credit for all Active Duty (AD), Active Duty Training (ADT), and Annual Training (AT) - including Funeral Honors Duty if performed in an active duty status -- beyond the maximum allowable limit for any given retirement point year up to 365 or 366 (Leap Year) days.

Soldiers must earn a minimum of 50 points per retirement year in order for that year to qualify as a creditable or "good" year for retirement purposes. If the Soldier fails to earn the minimum 50 points per year, that year will not count towards retirement. Soldiers may be subject to removal for failure to participate satisfactorily per AR 140-10 upon completion of 20 creditable good years to the retired reserve and/or discharge. Partial periods of service require completion of a minimal amount of retirement points in order to qualify for retirement purposes. For further information, review AR 140-185.

Corrections

For information concerning corrections of retirement points records, visit the Retirement Points Accounting System.

AHRC Personnel Action Branch Points of Contact:

Reserve Personnel Management Directorate:

Retirement Points Team - Enlisted (AGR, Non-AGR, and Retired Reserve)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 613-5964

Retirement Points Team - Officer (AGR, Non-AGR, Health Services and Retired Reserve)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (502) 613-6727

Discharged Soldiers:

Veterans Inquiry Branch
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (888) 276-9472

---
See references for sources of information.

Ron
This part here is what made me wonder about the 20th year in my wife's situation. "Partial periods of service require completion of a minimal amount of retirement points in order to qualify for retirement purposes." If she ends is AGR so active duty and in for 3 months of her 20th year does that partial year count as a good year? Since she will have more than 50 points because she gets one point per day she will get credit for a partial year. Now does that partial year count as a good year? No one can give me a definitive answer. My wife emailed the email address listed but no one responded.
 
This part here is what made me wonder about the 20th year in my wife's situation. "Partial periods of service require completion of a minimal amount of retirement points in order to qualify for retirement purposes." If she ends is AGR so active duty and in for 3 months of her 20th year does that partial year count as a good year? Since she will have more than 50 points because she gets one point per day she will get credit for a partial year. Now does that partial year count as a good year? No one can give me a definitive answer. My wife emailed the email address listed but no one responded.
Hello @Provis ,

I do not know. The RC/NG retirement plan is confusing and the 7200 point issue is even more perplexing. I've spent ~10 hours researching the matter over the past three days and it was not the first time I tried to find the unicorn.

Some thoughts about what I found or did not find today:
--Laws pertaining to Reserve retirement ("20 good years") do not explicitly mention 7200 points.
--Laws pertaining to Regular retirement (aka 20 year active duty retirement) do not explicitly mention 7200 points
--Not surprisingly, one regulation mentioned that one must be on Active Duty to retire under the Regular Retirement Plan.
--Continuing the preceding bullet comment: Nothing was mentioned about about a RC individual retiring while NOT on AD and receiving a regular retirement.

Opinion about good year: One either qualifies for the credit or does not qualify. I have read nothing that suggests credit for a partial year. That does not mean it does not exist.

I highly recommend to anyone in the planning stages of a Reserve/NG retirement to closely coordinate with the appropriate command and the experts in the human resources element. I would also request references for the info provided.

Ron
cc: @Guardguy11 @SFC H @Sullysull48
 
Thanks. Yeah very confusing. I read all the AR's but there isn't anything definitive. I know that 20th year she would qualify for a partial year. Then there is the requirement that you need 20 creditable years which state you need 50 points or more. If you have a partial year it counts if even if you have less than 50 points and you get get credit based on a sliding scale of needing points vs time in that partial year. But no where does it state how a partial year is counted. If there is a partial year left over then does it not matter unless you can cobble multiple partial years into a whole year? (which is possible if you leave service and reenter service). The main issue is no one can answer that question at my wife's unit and HRC isn't responding to emails. Its frustrating trying to plan the end game without an answer. If the answer is yes than she can start a fit for duty now and be kicked out earlier than anticipated. If the answer is no she needs to stretch things out as long as possible.
 
The 50 points is in reference to a traditional (20 year letter), age 60 (or less) retirement. I wasn’t an AGR, but know quite a few who retired and I still talk to a lot of them. For a “normal” AGR retirement, I’m being told 7300 active duty points, but all had different dates that didn’t coincide or was expected, as our ARPC pickEd their go past date. For them, IDT only counted towards pay percentage. For myself and I’m sure for you and many others, this is life altering stress you’re going through. You’ll get five different answers, and all five are correct based on that persons experiences. Tomorrow Ill make some phone calls on my side and see what our command says.
 
Thanks. Yeah very confusing. I read all the AR's but there isn't anything definitive. I know that 20th year she would qualify for a partial year. Then there is the requirement that you need 20 creditable years which state you need 50 points or more. If you have a partial year it counts if even if you have less than 50 points and you get get credit based on a sliding scale of needing points vs time in that partial year. But no where does it state how a partial year is counted. If there is a partial year left over then does it not matter unless you can cobble multiple partial years into a whole year? (which is possible if you leave service and reenter service). The main issue is no one can answer that question at my wife's unit and HRC isn't responding to emails. Its frustrating trying to plan the end game without an answer. If the answer is yes than she can start a fit for duty now and be kicked out earlier than anticipated. If the answer is no she needs to stretch things out as long as possible.
For a regular AGR retirement, I was told 7300 qualifying active duty points. There are provisions for a 15-19 year retirement, but subject to approval by the respective Secretary, and with deductions. We had one of ours approved this year after they were expecting a severance. As stated, creditable years is in referencing a non-regular retirement. Not an expert, but AR 635-40 chaps 4 and 6, discuss AGR continuation if unfit 18-20 years.
 
@Provis

As you know:

If the chain of command does not help and the HRC does not reply, a request for assistance from one of her elected representatives might be necessary (the only time I used this was in Colorado and I wrote a letter to one of the two senators).

Ron
 
The 50 points is in reference to a traditional (20 year letter), age 60 (or less) retirement. I wasn’t an AGR, but know quite a few who retired and I still talk to a lot of them. For a “normal” AGR retirement, I’m being told 7300 active duty points, but all had differe
For a regular AGR retirement, I was told 7300 qualifying active duty points. There are provisions for a 15-19 year retirement, but subject to approval by the respective Secretary, and with deductions. We had one of ours approved this year after they were expecting a severance. As stated, creditable years is in referencing a non-regular retirement. Not an expert, but AR 635-40 chaps 4 and 6, discuss AGR continuation if unfit 18-20 years.

nt dates that didn’t coincide or was expected, as our ARPC pickEd their go past date. For them, IDT only counted towards pay percentage. For myself and I’m sure for you and many others, this is life altering stress you’re going through. You’ll get five different answers, and all five are correct based on that persons experiences. Tomorrow Ill make some phone calls on my side and see what our command s
My wife won't be close the active retirement. This is in to reference for getting 20 year letter. So if you has 19 good years and in the 20th year she is medically discharged with 50+ points. Will that partial year which is the 20th year count as a good year? She is AGR but likely getting medically discharged due to 2 separate health conditions that make her non deployable. She only has about 15 years of the 19 that are active duty.
 
My wife won't be close the active retirement. This is in to reference for getting 20 year letter. So if you has 19 good years and in the 20th year she is medically discharged with 50+ points. Will that partial year which is the 20th year count as a good year? She is AGR but likely getting medically discharged due to 2 separate health conditions that make her non deployable. She only has about 15 years of the 19 that are active duty.
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Try looking in DODI 1215.07
 
I want to say your question has something to do also with your wife’s AYE.

I might very well be wrong, but I want to say I remember hearing something about partial years and something to do with needing to hit the AYE.

I would contact the BN or BDE or even state HRO and ask them. They should have the answer.
 
I want to say your question has something to do also with your wife’s AYE.

I might very well be wrong, but I want to say I remember hearing something about partial years and something to do with needing to hit the AYE.

I would contact the BN or BDE or even state HRO and ask them. They should have the answer.
Thanks! Hard getting answers lol. Will have her keep trying!
 
I want to say your question has something to do also with your wife’s AYE.

I might very well be wrong, but I want to say I remember hearing something about partial years and something to do with needing to hit the AYE.

I would contact the BN or BDE or even state HRO and ask them. They should have the answer.
Sorry for the misunderstanding. Try looking in DODI 1215.07
Read it front to back. Just doesn't clarify on how a creditable partial year is counted. If it counts as a good year she is good to go. If it doesn't then she needs to stretch it out and try to avoid a fit for duty board until Summer to ensure she can get 20 full years in.
 
Read it front to back. Just doesn't clarify on how a creditable partial year is counted. If it counts as a good year she is good to go. If it doesn't then she needs to stretch it out and try to avoid a fit for duty board until Summer to ensure she can get 20 full years in.
Provis, have you read this, chapter 9? There are numbers at the back, as well. understanding retirement might have deductions.


also
 
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From a non-federal source:​

Sanctuary In The Reserves: Only On Active Duty - Military Guide (the-military-guide.com) <---LINK

[selected extract]

Sanctuary In The Reserves: Only On Active Duty


Sanctuary comes from federal law Title 10 U.S. Code section 12686. It’s deceptively simple: if you’re a Reservist on active duty (not for training!) who goes over 18 years of active duty points (and while on active duty), then you get to stay on active duty until you’re eligible for an active-duty retirement at 20 years.

Sanctuary comes from federal law Title 10 U.S. Code section 12686. It’s deceptively simple: if you’re a Reservist on active duty (not for training!) who goes over 18 years of active duty points (and while on active duty), then you get to stay on active duty until you’re eligible for an active-duty retirement at 20 years.

It’s also derived from a broader protection of federal law (Title 10 U.S. Code section 1176) regarding involuntary discharge. Every member of the military (on active duty) who’s within two years of retirement is entitled to stay on active duty until they’re eligible for their active-duty pension.

That’s how the urban legends start. People think that they’ll qualify for sanctuary if they have 18 years of points, or 18 good years, or more than 6574 points, or by being on any kind of Reserve orders. Or maybe they know someone who heard of someone who manipulated the Reserve bureaucracy into issuing orders and then ambushed the chain of command by claiming sanctuary for an immediate active-duty retirement.

A common misconception is that sanctuary happens on any sort of orders. The reality is that a servicemember has to be mobilized and on active duty when they cross the 18-year line into sanctuary. These orders are not AT or ADT or any sort of training orders. (This was a subject of at least one sanctuary lawsuit.) The servicemember also has to agree to stay on active duty until they’re eligible for a regular active-duty retirement, and they’re issued a new set of orders to take them to that date. They can’t be extended past 20 years for any other reason– unless they leave their Reserve/Guard status and apply for permanent active-duty status.

Ron
 
Here is one of the at least three cases reported in this forum where a reservist/NG received an Active Duty Retirement (see preceding post).

"...you have to have 7200 points for retirement. unless you are AGR and have been active duty your entire time, your points total (6950) are most likely not all points for retirement. I was Active duty, Traditional Air National Guard and AGR. I had over 8400 total points but not all were towards retirement, I had about 7400 plus for retirement so I was able to retire as active duty and receive my active duty retirement pay. it's kinda confusing but if you been in more than 20 years you will probably know how the calculations are done."

Post 7 at Retirement pay for National Guard Reservist | Physical Evaluation Board Forum (pebforum.com) <---LINK

I infer he was on AD at the end, but that inference could be wrong.

cc: @Sgt zo

Ron
 
Here is one of the at least three cases reported in this forum where a reservist/NG received an Active Duty Retirement (see preceding post).

"...you have to have 7200 points for retirement. unless you are AGR and have been active duty your entire time, your points total (6950) are most likely not all points for retirement. I was Active duty, Traditional Air National Guard and AGR. I had over 8400 total points but not all were towards retirement, I had about 7400 plus for retirement so I was able to retire as active duty and receive my active duty retirement pay. it's kinda confusing but if you been in more than 20 years you will probably know how the calculations are done."

Post 7 at Retirement pay for National Guard Reservist | Physical Evaluation Board Forum (pebforum.com) <---LINK

I infer he was on AD at the end, but that inference could be wrong.

cc: @Sgt zo

Ron
 
Ron, I see a lot of others going back years who agree with you. I resubmitted my points summary today. I’ll post back on this subject when DFAS replies.
 
Ron, I see a lot of others going back years who agree with you. I resubmitted my points summary today. I’ll post back on this subject when DFAS replies.
Hello @Boomerang ,

I am very interested in the outcome; thank you for contributing.

Actually, I am a finance guy who did not experience a disability retirement process. I had ~25 years AD, regular Army.
I do a lot of research involving other subjects though. I used to be confident in 7200 points = eligibility for RA retirement.

After my research today, I think one has to be on active duty to receive a regular retirement. That AD might be by a NG or RC member. One unusual aspect of this site is that it is by nature, a come and go operation. Most of the current "posters" are newbies. There are exceptions of course. such as Chaplaincharlie.

Thank you for your help,
Ron
 
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