When/why is it not worth getting out early?
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Position: Wind checker
Posts: 757
Dude, stay in and min run that ****. Fly, make a difference by helping the USAF be better but don't give 2 f-cks's about the qweep and BS unless it adds to the mission, saves a life or helps someone in genuine need.
I'd be a the gym each day, out of the office by 1630 or earlier, chaffing off BS, using leave whenever I please and voicing my real opinion without fear of repercussion.
Other than the few bucks you are missing on O-5 pay, you are on the home stretch man to a guaranteed pension and healthcare for life and no reason to play the game.
Stick it out.
I'd be a the gym each day, out of the office by 1630 or earlier, chaffing off BS, using leave whenever I please and voicing my real opinion without fear of repercussion.
Other than the few bucks you are missing on O-5 pay, you are on the home stretch man to a guaranteed pension and healthcare for life and no reason to play the game.
Stick it out.
Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none. When I hear some of the healthcare cost stories from others, I realize what a huge bullet that's been dodged by having that.
Major or Lt Col retirement money means you don't have to run around doing stupid sh!t on year 1 trying to make a mortgage. Having that pension made life a lot easier that first year.
Have I missed out on some things because I was a couple of years late to the party? You bet, but for me having those other things for the rest of my life make up for it IMO.
Good Luck.
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: MD-11 F/O
Posts: 111
Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,068
Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
Splitting hairs here, retirement nets you Tricare. Certain number of years and signing paperwork gets GI Bill transfer--retirement not all all necessary.
Certainly a fantastic benefit
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Position: Wind checker
Posts: 757
Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
#35
Couple of things I didn't realize that are pretty massive right now. TRICARE is the biggest benefit out there bar none
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
I’m not sure. The biggest benefit to me has been the ability to pass on the GI Bill to my child. Saving me $50,000 a year, so a $200,000 benefit. Not sure Tricare beats that...
Last edited by tomgoodman; 02-12-2019 at 08:22 PM. Reason: FIFY
#36
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 80
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.
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.
#37
With 17 years AD and a few reserve years to seal the deal, at age 60 (earlier if he does any OCO deployments in the reserves) that would amount to almost the same regular AD he would have got at 20 (that 17 years is a HUGE weighting factor, he gets full credit for that). He could actually beat the regular AD value if he makes O5 (probably will) and stays longer than 20 (more points x higher paygrade value).
#38
With 17 years AD and a few reserve years to seal the deal, at age 60 (earlier if he does any OCO deployments in the reserves) that would amount to almost the same regular AD he would have got at 20 (that 17 years is a HUGE weighting factor, he gets full credit for that). He could actually beat the regular AD value if he makes O5 (probably will) and stays longer than 20 (more points x higher paygrade value).
#39
Awesome advice throughout these posts. Get Both!!! My 2 cents having paralleled your situation for the most part. Everything is situation dependent and timing is everything in my case. Find that Guard/Reserve unit (Location, Deploy/non deploy, AGR vacancies, Lt Col slots), get that airline of choice and get acclimated with your new environment. Juggle your schedule with the airline and order sets (deployments or home station alerts, whatever) to accumulate those 3 years, or do the AGR gig, or AMC/TACC, AFRC HQ, Guard Bureau (ANGRC), etc. USERRA exempt won’t apply with 3 years remaining. Guys bring it up because they may have nearly exhausted their 5 years with their employer and USERRA exempt orders could bring them across the finish line which I fully understand. I myself (Lord willing) patched together 4 of the 5 aforementioned orders/job titles to get the check of the month club/TRICARE/line number. Don’t forget to consider your VA disability benefits if applicable and pass your GI benefits as others have mentioned. 4 years remaining to be eligible I believe and every solid year (365 points) after 20 AD years is 2.5% more of your base pay which should be considered. These benefits have dropped the pressure of possible unforeseen furloughs, stagnant upgrades/economy, health risks ending ones career overnight, family coverage, seniority benefits, etc. It was a huge decision and a big jump no doubt, but at least the ball is in your court for the most part. Good Luck and Godspeed!
#40
On Reserve
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 16
Still looking at the fence
Same question, except change the conditions to be a 15 year guy, only 5 years to retirement, AFPC is dangling the sweet Germany flying gig, but the threat of deployment and wing staff jobs is real. The long term goal was always airlines, but looks like the decision is being accelerated due to the hiring wave.
Is the Tricare and check of the month peace of mind worth 5 years of seniority and at least 180 day?
Is there anyone that thinks we're due for a recession that will affect those recently hired by the majors?
Get out and get the ANG/Res position and fight for the remaining five years?
Is the Tricare and check of the month peace of mind worth 5 years of seniority and at least 180 day?
Is there anyone that thinks we're due for a recession that will affect those recently hired by the majors?
Get out and get the ANG/Res position and fight for the remaining five years?
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