Originally Posted by
KnightFlyer
The earliest you can retire is 55 with 5 years of vesting. You can start it at 55. 3% hit per year before age 60. If you have your high five and 20 years of service, at 55 the max retirement is ((20*2%)*$260000)*.85 or $88,400 w/o any joint survivorship. You can defer the start of pension payments to increase the benefit.
Better explanation in the Pilot Benefit Book.
What if one were to retire at 54.. or 40?
Reading the benefit handbook it appears that one could still defer the retirement payments until 60, but it isn't very clear.