Pension and Disability

Good evening,
I’m an active duty sailor with a flawless record of over 18 years of active duty service however the last year I have been fighting a serious disease that hasn’t gotten better my question and hopes are that I can medically retire keep my pension and file for disability I’ve gotten mixed input as I’m under 20 years and no I don’t want to do dollar for dollar as I thought when you’re this close and you’re medically retired you could keep both. Thanks for any input or insight.

 

[RonG]

Good evening,
I’m an active duty sailor with a flawless record of over 18 years of active duty service however the last year I have been fighting a serious disease that hasn’t gotten better my question and hopes are that I can medically retire keep my pension and file for disability I’ve gotten mixed input as I’m under 20 years and no I don’t want to do dollar for dollar as I thought when you’re this close and you’re medically retired you could keep both. Thanks for any input or insight.

Hello,

1. Based on the info you provided, if you received a disability retirement now, your retired pay would be reduced by the amount of VA compensation received. You would keep any retired pay that exceeds the VA offset. Some mistakingly believe one chooses either VA comp or retired pay. Actually, one accepts or declines to waive retired pay in the amount of VA comp. As stated, they keep the excess.

2. Combat related special compensation (CRSC) , if approved, could replace some or all of the reduction/waiver/offset.
Contemporary CRSC Information--Also See Update at Bottom of this Resource Page <—-LINK

3. Retention until 20 years might be addressed by @chaplaincharlie , @Provis and others.

Ron

 

[Brazzi]

Good evening,
I’m an active duty sailor with a flawless record of over 18 years of active duty service however the last year I have been fighting a serious disease that hasn’t gotten better my question and hopes are that I can medically retire keep my pension and file for disability I’ve gotten mixed input as I’m under 20 years and no I don’t want to do dollar for dollar as I thought when you’re this close and you’re medically retired you could keep both. Thanks for any input or insight.

I’m going through the same situation as you. I have 19 years and some change and have gain a decent amount of insight on this process and what to expect. Feel free to send me a message. But yes, @Provis is very knowledgeable and has given me great Information as well.

 

[Provis]

Good evening,
I’m an active duty sailor with a flawless record of over 18 years of active duty service however the last year I have been fighting a serious disease that hasn’t gotten better my question and hopes are that I can medically retire keep my pension and file for disability I’ve gotten mixed input as I’m under 20 years and no I don’t want to do dollar for dollar as I thought when you’re this close and you’re medically retired you could keep both. Thanks for any input or insight.

If you can get to 20 years I would do that. The safest option is to get a regular retirement. I would apply for your 20 year regular active duty retirement as soon as eligible to do so!

 

[Thankful]

If you can get to 20 do that and still go through the medical retirement process. Extend the delay as much as you can. However, you must be enrolled in the PEB before your 20, because they will find you fit to retire at 20. You could always fight this of course. I did over 20 and medically retired was the best thing that happened.