Benefits for "Gray-Area" Military Retirees

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Learn about what is important for a military retirement

Retired Guardsmen and Reservists who have completed their 20 years but are not old enough to collect their retired pay are considered to be in a "Gray Area." This table shows your "gray area" benefits compared to the "full" (active duty retiree) benefits which you and your family will begin to receive or be eligible for upon receipt or retired pay.

SPECIAL NOTE: Ensure that your branch always has your current address so they can mail you your application for retiree pay when you become eligible.

Your Benefits

Gray Area Retiree & Dependents Not recieving Retiree Pay

Retiree/Dependents Receiving Retiree Pay

Military ID Cards Retiree/Dependents: Get new ID cards & enroll in DEERS upon retirement Must get new ID cards & ensure enrollment in DEERS
Access to Military Installations Yes (Local policies/ in-country rules will govern access to facilities)

Yes (Local policies/ in-country rules will govern access to facilities

Exchange/PX/BX/Shopettes Yes (same restrictions as above) Yes (same restrictions as above)
Commissary Yes (same restrictions as above) Yes (same restrictions as above)
Medical Facilities No Yes - when available
TRICARE Health Insurance Plans or US Family Health Plan May use TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) until age 60 when they can use TRICARE or US Family Health Plan. Must be enrolled in DEERS. Note: at 65 TRICARE becomes TRICARE for Life (must purchase Medicare Part B). Some children eligible for TRICARE Young Adult Program. Must be enrolled in DEERS.
TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) Yes. Must pay premiums. Yes. Must pay premiums.
Base Service Stations: (no Gas coupons OCONUS for retirees) Yes. Local post policies and in-country directives will govern access to facilities overseas.

Yes. Local post policies and in-country directives will govern access to facilities overseas

DFAS MyPay Website No log-on provided Yes
Lodging: Available Space on "first come-first served" basis. Yes Yes
MWR: Gyms, pools, theatres, clubs, library, rentals, camping - as available Yes Yes
Base Medical Facilities No Yes - when available
Space-A Travel on Military Aircraft

Retiree - Yes; limited to CONUS Dependents - No

Retiree must accompany spuse & dependents CONUS and OCONUS
Base Family Services Yes Yes
SATO Yes Yes
Base Legal Office Assistance None Yes
Survivor Assistance Yes Yes
Casualty Assistance Yes Yes
Vets Group Life Insurance Yes, if eligible and requested Yes, if eligible and requested
VA Eligbility Most need DD214, see VA rep Most need DD214, see VA rep
State Veterans Benefits Varies by state Varies by state
Veterans Burial Benefits Retiree/Spouse: Yes. Children: see VA Reitree/Spouse: Yes. Children: see VA.
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Veteran Benefits