Benefits and Entitlements For Retired Members of the Reserves

      Reservists are eligible for numerous federal benefits and entitlements
      based upon their Reserve Component membership. These federal benefits can
      usually be divided into four major areas: benefits for inactive duty for
      training (drill); active duty for training and active duty; Retired
      Reserve under age 60; and Retired Reserve age 60 or above.

          Benefits for Reservists resulting from their inactive duty for training
      usually include: full-time Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance; military
      exchange and limited commissary privileges; limited medical care for
      injuries incurred while traveling to and from drill; access to military
      clothing sales stores, open mess facilities, military theaters, and
      transient billets if available; medical aid; space-available air
      transportation (within CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Virgin islands,
      and Puerto Rico); and survivor benefits. (see table below)

          Benefits for Reservists on active duty for training or active duty usually
      include: access to most military facilities, including exchange and
      commissary facilities, open messes; limited medical and dental care; and
      access to most military recreational and entertainment facilities (see
      table).

          When a Reservist completes at least 20 years of federal military service
      and chooses to transfer to the Retired Reserve, he or she temporarily
      loses some federal benefits until reaching age 60, when he or she then
      becomes eligible for expanded federal benefits in addition to his or her
      retired pay. Federal benefits given up while a member of the Retired
      Reserve include: the opportunity to earn retirement points, drill pay and
      allowances; and medical care.

      Federal benefits retained by members of the Retired Reserve prior to
      reaching age 60 (“Gray-Area” Retirees) include: the use of all morale,
      welfare and recreational facilities; exchanges; 24 commissary visits per
      calendar year; the opportunity to join officer and NCO clubs (local rules
      permitting); space-available air transportation within and between CONUS,
      Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; the option to
      enroll in VGLI coverage; retention of their commissions (officers only);
      and the opportunity to wear the military uniform at appropriate
      celebrations and military activities. Members of the Retired Reserve carry
      a Retired Reserve (Red) ID card until age 60.

      Upon reaching age 60, Reservists receive the Retired (Blue) ID cards and
      begin receiving monthly retired pay, if they have applied for it. Also,
      they become eligible for medical and dental care for themselves and their
      eligible family members (limited dental care for eligible family members)
      at military medical facilities. Additional retirement benefits gained by
      Reservists upon reaching age 60 include: eligibility for medical treatment
      at Veterans Administration hospitals (see VA Benefits section for
      details); unlimited use of commissaries and eligibility for space-available
      air transportation worldwide, including eligible family members. They are
      also authorized civilian medical care benefits under TRICARE. Complete
      information on this program may be obtained from the TRICARE Management
      Activity, Aurora, Colorado, 80011 (see Uniformed Services Health Benefits
      Program for additional details).

      Reservists receiving a pension or other compensation from the Veterans
      Administration, may waive their Retired Reserve pay in the amount of the
      VA pension or compensation, which will keep the compensation or pension
      (which is exempt from federal income tax) in effect. Retired Reservists
      may also waive their entire Retired Reserve pay in order to continue to
      receive the pension or other compensation from the VA.
 
      Table: Federal Benefits For Reserves

                                                                                                                                 Gray Area Retirees

      *Under certain circumstances, some of these benefits are available at the
      discretion of the local base or installation commander.
      Much of this information has been provided by the Uniformed Services
      Almanac.™