Title 10 › Subtitle Subtitle E— Reserve Components › Part II— PERSONNEL GENERALLY › Chapter 1223— RETIRED PAY FOR NON-REGULAR SERVICE › § 12739
It explains how to figure monthly military retired pay. First, take the retired pay base (the salary number set under other rules) and multiply it by 2.5% times the years of service credited under section 12733. If an enlisted member has been officially credited with extraordinary heroism, add 10% of that amount. The total normally cannot be more than 75% of the retired pay base. If someone retires after December 31, 2006 with more than 30 years of credited service, they may get up to 75% plus an extra amount for certain service periods the Secretary of Defense designates, using 2.5% per year for that service. If the result is not a whole dollar, round down to the next dollar. A Retired Reserve member who is recalled to active Selected Reserve status and completes at least two years of that service can have their retired pay recalculated; the Secretary can reduce the two-year rule to one year for those recalled to certain adjutant general positions who complete at least one year and leave only because their appointment ends as described in title 32. For people who first start reserve service on or after January 1, 2018 (after not serving before that date), or who make the special election described here, use 2% instead of 2.5% for the yearly multiplier and a 60% cap instead of 75%. Those serving on December 31, 2017 with fewer than 12 years then may choose during January 1–December 31, 2018 to accept Thrift Savings Plan contributions in exchange for the lower multipliers; the Secretary may extend the election period for hardship, returning members must decide within 30 days of rejoining, contributions start only after the election, and the Secretary must issue rules to implement these choices.
Full Legal Text
Armed Forces — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
10 U.S.C. § 12739
Title 10 — Armed Forces
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60