Bootcamp · Gray area retiree

20-year letter. No paycheck yet. TRS is over.

TRR is the premium medical plan until retired pay. RC-SBP is 90 days from the 20-year letter. Apply for the paycheck — it does not start itself. FEDVIP dental lives here. TFL is still 65.

If retired pay already started, you are the Retiree bootcamp — not this one.

1. Keys

   Do now

   Keep the 20-year letter (NOE)

   A points printout is not the Notification of Eligibility. RAPIDS needs the status. Personnel cuts the letter.

   RAPIDSGray-area hubAsk TOP about this

2. Healthcare

   Do now

   Buy TRICARE Retired Reserve

   Not TRS money. milConnect → BWE. FEHB-eligible in your own right generally cannot buy it. Recut 21 Sep 2026: published 2026 TRR is $645.90 / $1,548.30 — confirm on TRICARE.mil.

   TRICARE Retired ReserveTRR walkthroughAsk TOP about this

3. Healthcare

   This month

   FEDVIP dental (and vision if on TRICARE)

   TDP ended. BENEFEDS is the cash register. Own open season.

   BENEFEDSFEDVIP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

4. Finance

   When you need it

   Reduced retirement age — 90-day blocks

   Qualifying active duty after 28 Jan 2008. Floor is 50. Drill does not count. HRC / the points record is the authority.

   TRR / gray areaReduced age toolAsk TOP about this

5. Healthcare

   When you need it

   TFL is still Medicare Part B at 65

   Retired pay at 60 (or reduced) is not TFL. Part B is the on-switch. Recut from TRICARE.mil TFL.

   Initial Enrollment Period around the 65th birthday

   TRICARE For LifeTFL clockAsk TOP about this

6. Healthcare

   This month

   VA health and the claim

   Gray area is still a veteran for VA.gov. 10-10EZ does not wait for age 60.

   VA healthVA health walkthroughAsk TOP about this

7. Education

   When you need itGap recut

   Remaining education benefits

   Chapter 1606 generally dies when you leave Selected Reserve. Remaining Chapter 33 is a VA.gov question. Comparison Tool first.

   GI BillGI Bill pageAsk TOP about this

8. Housing

   When you need itGap recut

   VA home loan COE

   Twenty qualifying years is usually enough service history. Request the COE. Not a homeowners policy.

   Request a COECOE walkthroughAsk TOP about this

9. Insurance

   Clock

   VGLI if you are still inside the clock

   240 days with no health questions from SGLI ending. Holiday does not pause it. After that, VALife may be the door if you have a rating.

   240 days from SGLI ending for no-health-review VGLI

   VGLISGLI → VGLIAsk TOP about this

10. Insurance

    Do nowGap recut

    RC-SBP election within 90 days of the 20-year letter

    DD 2656-5. Army recut 2026: IPPS-A PAID → Benefits → RCSBP. If you do nothing and you have a spouse or child, the law enrolls Option C (immediate annuity). Spouse must concur, notarized, to decline or take less than max. This is not TRR.

    90 days from the Notification of Eligibility (20-year letter)

    DFAS RCSBPRC-SBP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

11. Finance

    ClockGap recut

    Apply for retired pay — it does not start itself

    Submit 9 months to 90 days before age 60 or your reduced-age date. Army: DD 108 + DD 2656 to HRC Gray Area Retirements. Work the packet with an RSO. Recut from Soldier for Life / HRC.

    9 months before eligibility; file at least 90 days before the pay date

    HRC Gray Area RetirementsRetired-pay applicationAsk TOP about this

12. Healthcare

    This monthGap recut

    TRICARE Pharmacy after you buy TRR

    No TRR, no pharmacy. Recut from TRICARE.mil Rx.

    TRICARE PharmacyPharmacy walkthroughAsk TOP about this

13. Insurance

    When you need itGap recut

    VALife if you have a service-connected rating

    Gray area is still a veteran. Whole life, guaranteed acceptance, rating 0–100%, age 80 or under. Not RC-SBP. Not leftover SGLI. Recut from VA.gov.

    VALifeVALife walkthroughAsk TOP about this