Q. I’m medically retired from the Air Force with more than 10 years on active duty. I was retired on disability, not on longevity. I have over 24 years in civil service. I’d like to be able to use those years to add to my service years. I’ve been told I can, but if I did I’d have to waive my disability retirement when I retire from civil service, which I would not like to do as it’s all tax-free. I entered service before 1978. So, can I use the years and still keep my disability retirement pay?
A. What you were told is correct. You would have to waive your military retired pay unless it was awarded on account of a service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the U.S. or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war.
