Originally Posted by
TonyWilliams
There's no requirement to retire, but yes, you must be done doing "front line" operations on the month you become 56. Besides, not everybody, even with the current rules, will have 20 years "good time" at age 56.
If you don't have 20 years good time(good time is where your main job is controlling air traffic not working in an office 8 hours a day) it's by choice. However, they have been giving waivers to work past age 56 on a case by case basis.