Originally Posted by
pittflyer
To make this thread all about ME, let me throw a wrench in this topic and say the same guy was at 16yrs (4yrs from retirement) however, flying currently in his active job and would be when he hit 20yrs (but that's in 2019). Do you leave the mil retirement money on the table, walk for the QOL and seniority # now at 16years or stay to the 20yr point to collect from Uncle Sam?
[All of this assumes you get on with a Major at this 16yr point, do the reserve gig so you don't waste the 16yrs you have, etc.]
I am walking away from the reserves at 15 years. Having to wait until age 60 to collect a check is the main reason.
For your situation create a spreadsheet with airline 401k starting in 2015 and have it grow at 16% contribution and at 6% growth. In another column calculate your mil pension starting in 4 years, include COLA and have it grow at 6%. Keep in mind the MIL money will not shrink as a 401k could and you get that money even if you have a medical issue. You could still get your 4 years in and be on the front side of the hiring boom. But also keep in mind the 4 years you miss at a major are 4 years less at the top of the pay scale.