I'm a dual status Title 32 technician. I have 18 years total of Guard service (4000 points total includes both M-Day and Title 10 time.) I have three active duty mobilizations. I started as a tech in 2014, buying back my time to November of 2011, so I'm going on 9 years as a tech. I've reached a point where I'm unlikely to be able to deploy again if the situation arises. As a tech, I'm concerned about my livelihood should I get out on the military side since I'd also lose my tech job. I understand that if I get discharged medically on the military side that I'll be eligible for a technician medical disability retirement (at 40% of my high three, I think). Currently at 60% VA disability. I'm hoping to get a better idea of where things go if I pull the trigger and go the MEB route, which may be in the next 12-24 months.
A few questions I have:
- As a National Guard reservist, I won't be able to access my mil retirement until 60, correct? I have qualifying periods as well, so I could start drawing a little earlier. I'd only draw my VA disability and any tech disability retirement until retirement. Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.
-As far as retired pay, how does it work for a reservist when it comes down to the pay amount? Do I simply get my reserved retired pay based on my points and rank, or do I potentially get my % of disability (60%, if the mil side comes to the same % as the VA) even though I'm a reservist? What's the equation for this calculation? I usually take my points divide by 360 to get my years of service and multiply by 2.5, which gives me the percent of my base pay I'll receive. By the looks of it, if I got 60% of my final base pay because that's my disability, it would be the better scenario. I understand that my disability percent may change over the years before retirement, but just want to get an idea.
-With the tech disability retirement, I can be employed without penalty as long as I don't make over 80K for the year....correct?
-I've obviously already done my comp and pen exams (2019). If I go the MEB route, will I have to go through them again?
I'd appreciate any other insight, advice. I was surprised to come across this group. Any questions I ask within my organizations always tend to get guarded or unsure responses.
A few questions I have:
- As a National Guard reservist, I won't be able to access my mil retirement until 60, correct? I have qualifying periods as well, so I could start drawing a little earlier. I'd only draw my VA disability and any tech disability retirement until retirement. Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.
-As far as retired pay, how does it work for a reservist when it comes down to the pay amount? Do I simply get my reserved retired pay based on my points and rank, or do I potentially get my % of disability (60%, if the mil side comes to the same % as the VA) even though I'm a reservist? What's the equation for this calculation? I usually take my points divide by 360 to get my years of service and multiply by 2.5, which gives me the percent of my base pay I'll receive. By the looks of it, if I got 60% of my final base pay because that's my disability, it would be the better scenario. I understand that my disability percent may change over the years before retirement, but just want to get an idea.
-With the tech disability retirement, I can be employed without penalty as long as I don't make over 80K for the year....correct?
-I've obviously already done my comp and pen exams (2019). If I go the MEB route, will I have to go through them again?
I'd appreciate any other insight, advice. I was surprised to come across this group. Any questions I ask within my organizations always tend to get guarded or unsure responses.