Originally Posted by Otterbox

Without the spousal support for the large pay cut for the first year, it’s going to be stressful without that pension supplement to your income, no matter where you end up, especially if you’re a commuter or a single income household.

Going to the airlines 3 years early at the 17 year mark will earn you approximately $750k-$1.05mil for the last three years of your airline career depending on if you retire as a Narrow Body Captain or Widebody Captain.

Waiting three years and collecting O-4 (ret) pay will earn you approximately $969k-1.11mil between retirement and age 65 (depending on if you’re retiring at 42 or 45yrs old).

Math checks out that you’re probably financially better off staying in and going for the pension at that point. Live longer than age 65 and you earn far more by staying for 20 over your life time.