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- “50th birthday, when he would have become eligible for full retirement benefits.”
- I understand the military 20 year retirement, because getting the young to commit to war, separation, isolation, and 24/7 duty is unique.
- Maybe being FBI is also dangerous, but do regular GS employees also have a 20 year plan? Happens for many groups....firemen, policemen, military.

Not positive for all gov workers, but the way the military works is... if you continue to get promoted, to at least Major (Air Force, Army, etc.), or E-6 (I believe for the enlisted force), then you get a portion of the amount people who continue to get promoted to at least Colonel, or E-7 (I believe).

Those who are promoted towards the top, get to stay in 30 years, and receive about 55% of their base pay (base pay doesn’t include any of the benefits you have been receiving; housing, specialty pay, etc).

Those leaving at 20 to 29 years get proportionately less. Retirement pay at 20 years in not much, 20% of base pay, I think.

Now, the difference with other gov employees, some who may or may not be getting retirement pay immediately after they retire, is our pay is given immediately after retirement is because the military keeps you on retainer until age 55. This means in time of a big war, they can call you up and you cannot say no.