Should TERA (aka 15 year retirements) be made permanent?

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:19:52 -0500

Should Temporary Early Retirement Authorization (TERA) be made permanent as a cost saving measure for the DoD?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2014 4:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:27:33 -0500

I see this as a good thing. But, as long as there is a decent balance between the benefits received for a 15yr retirement vs 20. If you make the deal to sweet for 15 you'll run into retention issues, creating a loss in knowledge and experience the rest can learn from.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 18 at 2014 9:12 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:12:07 -0500

Here is one selling point for service members: most Federal Law Enforcement jobs require a hire date prior to 37th birthday. With TERA, one could retire with 15 years, start drawing a pension based on that amount and start a new career! What a boon that would be to the Federal Law Enforcement community and what an awesome bonus to service members.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Dec 18 at 2014 10:39 PM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:39:35 -0500

If that was available when I was "on the fence", I woulda served three more years to get there....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2014 1:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 01:07:58 -0500

TERA is merely a tool to manage the force, balancing end strength and meet fiscal challenges. There are other management tools designed to retain a high quality, high performing leaner force. If you look across all the service branches, there is a focus on performance versus longevity. I'll be blunt, the days of getting a "20 year" retirement are long gone, in my opinion only.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Dec 19 at 2014 9:47 AM

LTC Joseph Gross — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 09:47:47 -0500

I haven't given it much thought but I like the idea. Of course it would bring a reduced retirement but nothing wrong with that. My brother retired in the 90s at seventeen years and I believe he left with 36%. It was good for him and as he was really done, it was good for the Navy as well.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2014 3:06 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 03:06:45 -0500

There are really two issues with this. Who would be willing to turn down a 20 year retirement in order to get the 15 year payout and then who would stay in for 15 years to get the payout. I am sure the TERA would save money against those who would take that instead of the 20 year retirement plan but is that who would only benefit from this.

If a soldier reenlisted a couple of times he would be near the 15 year mark. He would have never even thought about doing twenty years and would have got out but now he may shoot for the 15 year out and get the benefits from that. By soldiers taking advantage of this program in such a way I would question the overall cost effectiveness of it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2017 6:03 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 18:03:20 -0400

YES, AIR NATIONAL GUARD NEEDS THIS PUT IN PLACE FOR A BIT TOO. CURRENTLY IT IS BEING OFFERED TO ARMY (EVEN ARNG) UNTIL 2018, POSSIBLY 2025.