Do you regret leaving the military? (benefit, pension, retirement, cost of living)

[Airborneguy]

Poncho, struck a nerve? I was responding to your post where I gathered you were explaining how you were able to live off of your military pension. Based on how much you say you have collected, you have been retired awhile. While I am happy to see it worked for you, it doesn’t work well nowadays. Because, as I said, it’s pennies. It is no longer possible to leave the military at 38-40 and never work again, period, end of story. I left because I realized that was the case and didn’t want to serve Uncle Sam forever. Thirty years in my current career will yield a 6 figure pension.

I’m 39 now. I’d have been eligible to retire in January. $3000-4000 a month for 40 years or so? That’s pennies now and will be scratch then. It wasn’t meant as a “dig”, it’s true.

[Airborneguy]

Originally Posted by Pyramidsurf

It really is.

I work with a couple retirees. I started working on my civilian career after getting out and worked my way up. I make more than the retirees do with their pension, disability, and, medical and I'm two decades younger. It's nice to have, but I figured early on there's easier ways to make a living. My coworker is a retired O-5 and still works. I think he makes about the same amount our boss makes when you add in his pension.

Obviously I agree.

One of my good buddies has been in the Army for 27 years. We talk finances occasionally. He’s an E9. I make double his salary and my pension will make his look like a joke. I don’t say that to be a johnson. I say it because it’s pathetic that his decades of service will see him with basically vacation money (if his next job gives him vacation).

I was set to ETS just after 9/11 and due to the events, was going to re-up. That same buddy convinced me to leave (my current career was all set to start). I thank him every so often and wish he did the same. He deserves it.

[Mr.910nc]

As a former active duty soldier (Now Reservist) total 11 yrs I got to admit. My State Pension is far greater than active duty. Plus I have way more time to do things I like to do.

My schedule
Army reserves 2 days month (Entertainment money)
Lt. Correctional officer 14-16 days a month ($3200-3600)
Substitute Teacher 10 a days a month ($980)
I also work freelance digit marketing and I bring in another $24k.

My wife
Is military medically retired ($$$)
School Teacher ($55k)
Freelance Graphic designer ($33k)

We also own a few houses
We couldn't live like this in military on active duty as both E-6 and 2 kids. We also have same perks as active duty and we live near Bragg:
Tricare
Commissary
Cheap Flights
10% discounts


We got it made so no regrets. We both still have our post 9/11 that haven't touch..

Thank you active duty but no thanks reserve life is better

[GregW]

I left the Navy Reserve in 1969. The only part of that service I, sometimes miss when I am feeling remarkably nostalgic, is being on a DE in a winter North Atlantic storm. That was, once I was over being sea sick, great fun. I do not miss trying to take their guns from Vietnamese locals in the Mekong Delta. That was really very dangerous. Exciting but very dangerous. Addicting even.


My main problem with the Navy is I do not and never did take orders well. I like or nearly demand being told what my orders are supposed to accomplish so I can suggest improvements. Officers, and some foolish civilian bosses, do not like to be questioned or hear exceptions. After 'Nam taking orders became very difficult. One nice thing about being retired is I do not take orders from anyone except myself. I like that.

[Remington Steel]

Originally Posted by Mr.910nc

As a former active duty soldier (Now Reservist) total 11 yrs I got to admit. My State Pension is far greater than active duty. Plus I have way more time to do things I like to do.

My schedule
Army reserves 2 days month (Entertainment money)
Lt. Correctional officer 14-16 days a month ($3200-3600)
Substitute Teacher 10 a days a month ($980)
I also work freelance digit marketing and I bring in another $24k.

My wife
Is military medically retired ($$$)
School Teacher ($55k)
Freelance Graphic designer ($33k)

We also own a few houses
We couldn't live like this in military on active duty as both E-6 and 2 kids. We also have same perks as active duty and we live near Bragg:
Tricare
Commissary
Cheap Flights
10% discounts


We got it made so no regrets. We both still have our post 9/11 that haven't touch..

Thank you active duty but no thanks reserve life is better

How do you get cheap flights?

[LBTRS]

I retired from the military and there is no way I could live off my military retirement with today's cost of living. It is expensive to raise a family and the $2,230 mentioned above (before taxes) is peanuts. It does help but you can't "retire" off of it.

[Remington Steel]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

I retired from the military and there is no way I could live off my military retirement with today's cost of living. It is expensive to raise a family and the $2,230 mentioned above (before taxes) is peanuts. It does help but you can't "retire" off of it.

The million dollar question is, was that $2,230 "worth it"? Think about your life if you didn't have that "extra" $2230/month coming in.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Remington Steel

How do you get cheap flights?

Space A. Dirt cheap flights!

[Remington Steel]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Space A. Dirt cheap flights!

Oh. They only go to designated destinations though. You have to be available on short notice (hence "Space Available") No guarantee on return flight. I've seen old retirees get stuck at AMC bases for days waiting on flights out.

They fit those with that lifestyle, not for me though.

[flashlight]

wrt space-A,

I have considered hopping on a guard/reserve plane that is going somewhere for a week or two (annual tour or shorter).


that increases the probability that they will be returning to the home base without major detours.