(This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members, who can log in to access our digital version and archive. Basic members can save on a membership upgrade and access the magazine.)

As National Guard and Reserve members near age 60, they reach important milestones in their military retirement pay and benefits. Whether they have been retired awaiting pay or continue drilling until age 60, this transition requires action so benefits begin on time.

Here are four considerations for reserve component members as they approach their 60th birthday.

TRICARE Health Benefits

At 60 years old, reserve component retirees and their eligible family members can start using TRICARE for health and medical needs — the same version as their retired active duty counterparts.

Some reserve component members might have been using TRICARE Reserve Select or Retired Reserve, both of which require premiums. Upon turning 60, retirees become eligible for standard TRICARE plans with much less expensive enrollment fees. Importantly, enrollment fees count toward a family’s catastrophic cap, which further reduces overall health care costs.

[UPDATED MONTHLY: MOAA's TRICARE Toolkit]

Your location can impact the availability of plans, which might include TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Overseas, and the US Family Health Plan.

Reserve component retirees must contact TRICARE within 90 days of turning 60; otherwise, they will need to wait until another qualifying life event or an annual open season to enroll.

Military Retirement Pay

Reserve component members might have retired from active drilling status before this point, but age 60 typically marks the beginning of their retirement pay. Some members might be eligible to start earlier if they completed qualifying periods of active duty. However, no member can receive retirement pay before age 50.

To qualify for military retirement pay, members must have completed at least 20 “good” years of service, as confirmed by their notice of eligibility. Retirement pay does not begin automatically, so retirees must apply in advance. It’s recommended they submit DD forms 108 and 2656 six to nine months before turning 60. Each branch of the reserve component has its own process for submitting retirement pay applications.

[FORM DOWNLOADS: DD 108 | DD 2656] 

Survivor Benefit Plan

Depending on the election made when they received their notice of eligibility, retirees might need to make a decision about the military’s Survivor Benefit Plan. This program provides financial security for a spouse or designated beneficiaries after the retiree’s death by continuing a portion of the retirement pay.

If a retiree opts out of the plan or selects reduced coverage, spousal consent is required. This ensures both parties are aware of the potential financial impact of not enrolling in full coverage.

[MORE FROM MOAA: Your Guide to the Survivor Benefit Plan]

Retiree ID Card

Reserve component retirees should update military identification cards for themselves and their family members. This will provide continued access to base facilities, such as commissaries. It will also indicate TRICARE medical coverage.

[MORE FROM MOAA: ID Cards]