I was just thinking the other day - can a retired military person ever lose that retirement pay - for, say, becoming a felon?
I'm neither. Just wondering.
Well, technically, yes.
Military retirement pay is actually a "retainer", for want of a better word.
The retired military person can expect to be recalled at any time.
Many have been, in fact, particularly during GW1, in the chemical specialties and explosive ordinance specialties.
So, again, technically, if one renders oneself unfit for recall, through imprisonment or similar, then one could lose his retirement pay.
It is governed by United States Code, the exact one which escapes me at this time, but it has been addressed and as far as I know, is still on the books.
I have never heard of anyone actually losing it, though, with the exception of some field grade officers who were convicted after retirement for crimes committed while on active duty.
And I have a slight recall of a senior NCO or several, that were involved in the VN-era Khaki Mafia that did lose their retirement pay, but I think they got convicted before actual retirement.
Conviction before actual retirement will almost always result in the loss of retirement benefits...after actual retirement, not so much, I think.
This is not an official position, just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge.