Assistance calculating CRSC/Reserve Retirement/Ch 61

B

BDawson

New Member
Registered Member
I retired in 2017 Chapter 61. I have a divorce coming up and I need to solidify my retirement and VA earnings.

When I left the WTU I was told I do not get CRSC or a reserve retirement. Now I know that is not true but I'm not sure if it benefits me to apply for my reserve retirement and CRSC or keep things the way they are. CRSC can be calculated for income, but it is disability not retirement. I have over 8 years that qualify towards the reserve reduced retirement. Which means I could have applied for my Reserve Retirement and CRSC when I left the WTU in 2017. I wonder if I’m eligible for back pay too.

Currently -

Gross Retirement from RAS: $8858
DoD disability retirement percentage: 90%
Years and months of active duty: 14 years 7 months
Reserve Creditable years of service 6330/360: 17.5
VA Compensation 100%: $4650 (one spouse on dependent of 18 in school) ( $166.87 SMC)
Expect 90-100% CRSC
I qualify for Reserve Retirement Pay but have not applied. Was eligible in 2017 at age 50. I am currently 56.

I’m not sure what is the best course of action for me. Thank you!
 
Are seeking concurrent pay? Retirement and VA? Did you know the door opened for back pay also last year? Confused about the divorce concern, VA is Federally protected to the best of my knowledge. . Retirement pay is not. Concurrent CRSC is DOD. What impact are you concerned about? I would research this. Fact check me. Unless, things have drastically changed, this is my understanding.
 
I would like to know what the calculations would be so I can decide to

1) Keep things they way they are now.
2) Apply for Reserve Retirement/CRDP or CRSC

I would like to have as much of my compensation protected and tax free.

I wasn't aware of the "doored opened for back pay" What does that mean?
 
You are correct in thinking that CRSC is the way to go to protect your DOD pay from divorce. The door on retro pay is closed though. As of August 2025 you can only receive retro pay for CRSC to the date of your application. It mirrors the VA’s way of applying for benefits now.

There is a CRSC calculator that is accurate. If you input your information into the calculator accurately it will give you an accurate amount for CRSC
 
::elephant in the room steps into the chat lol::

As one who has dealt with all of that, sans divorce (I was in proceedings when Covid hit, wife passed due to non-covid complications just before courts opened back up), I can certainly give you some pointers here:

a) first and foremost do NOT pull the "Early Reserve Retirement" trigger! Your status will change and you will become, essentially, a gray-area retiree for the sake of Tricare until the age of 60. You'll be paying COBRA costs.
b) apply for CRSC as you may be leaving money on the table. Do this now because it's 1) non-taxable and 2) not considered marital property for division purposes.
c) at 59y 3m apply for your reserve retirement: YOU get to choose which is better for you: Ch 61 retirement w/CRSC or switching to CMRP/CRDP. Remember, the latter is taxable/divisible income.
 
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