Guard and Reserve retirement points calculator

How it is calculated

The Department of Defense's Reserve Component Retirement Guide gives the formula. You qualify with at least 20 years of qualifying service, each with at least 50 retirement points. Your total career points, divided by 360, give your equivalent years of service. Monthly retired pay is your High-3 average basic pay times 2.5% times equivalent years under the legacy High-3 plan, or 2% under the Blended Retirement System.

How points add up

• 1 point per inactive duty training period; a typical drill weekend is 4 points.
• 1 point per day of active duty, annual training, active duty for training or mobilization.
• 15 membership points each year in the Ready Reserve.
• Additional points for correspondence courses, funeral honors and similar duty, under your service's rules.

What the calculator leaves out

• An earlier start date: DoD says retired pay normally begins at 60, or earlier with qualifying active-service reductions. Your service's retirement office confirms yours.
• Cost-of-living adjustments, and pay raises between now and the High-3 years.
• The Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan premium, if you elect coverage.
• The Final Pay system for service before September 8, 1980.