By MyArmyBenefits Staff     July 2026

As you get closer to the 20-year mark in your Army career, retirement starts to feel less like a distant idea and more like an approaching reality. Questions begin to take shape: When is the right time to retire? Where will you call home? What comes next after you hang up the uniform? The ideal time to begin serious retirement planning is about 36 months before your planned final day of service. Between daily responsibilities and required out-processing tasks, preparation can feel overwhelming, but there are resources designed to help. One of the most valuable tools to help you through this process is the MyArmyBenefits website.

Deciding when to retire starts with a simple but important question: are you truly ready? You may be aiming for one more promotion or you may have personal reasons to continue serving a bit longer. To better understand how different timelines and a possible promotion impact your retired pay, the MyArmyBenefits Retirement Calculator is a good place to start. Once logged into the “Custom Calculator” with your CAC or myAuth account, the system pulls your data directly from IPPS-A to provide a personalized estimate. If you are a spouse, you can use the “Public Calculator” to get a calculation, but you must enter all the information manually.

After identifying your target retirement date, MyArmyBenefits helps you take the next steps by guiding you through key tasks:

• Take control of your financial future by using the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Premium Calculator to compare SBP options and estimate associated costs.

• Dive into the Benefit Library to review federal benefits by category. Under the “Transitioning & Retirement” section, you’ll find fact sheets covering essential topics like the Army Transition Assistance Program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, retirement documentation, and more. The A-to-Z list also includes valuable information on programs such as the Employment Readiness Program, federal taxation of military retirement and disability pay, and VA home loan benefits.

• Explore the state and territory benefits fact sheets to help determine where you might want to live after retirement. These resources outline tax considerations, education opportunities, and additional benefits available to veterans and their families across all 50 states and 6 U.S. territories.

As you prepare for life after service, consider expanding your education and credentials. Read about all the opportunities and benefit options in the Change of Mission April-June 2026 edition (page 9).

Retirement planning isn’t just about you—it’s a family decision. Talk with your spouse about their goals and plans for the future. There are programs that can support their transition as well, including the Military Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). Scholarships such as the Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program and the Tillman Scholars Program (which also supports retired service members) can open doors to new opportunities. Be sure to explore additional offerings available through your state or territory.

As you prepare for this next chapter, familiarize yourself with the Army Retirement Services Program and take advantage of the retirement planning resources available on the Soldier for Life website. These resources are designed to walk you through every step of the process with clarity and confidence. Retirement is more than an endpoint—it’s a new beginning. Approach it with intention, preparation, and a clear plan for success.