Q: I’m 45 and will retire as a military reservist next year with 21 years of service. I joined the federal workforce in 2004 and am considering buying back the 14 years of active duty toward my federal retirement. When I retire, will I be able to draw both a military reserve retirement and federal pension? The way I read the regulation is that if I buy back the military time I would have to waive my military pension to get a federal pension. Is that correct? Could you offer additional insights on the pros and cons of the subject?
A: You would only be required to waive you military pension if you retired from active duty and received military retired pay. Since you will be retiring from the reserves and receiving reserve retired pay, you won’t have to waive it.
