• Table: Federal Benefits For Reserves

Reservists are eligible for numerous federal benefits and entitlements based upon their Reserve Component membership. These federal benefits can usually be divided into four major areas: benefits for inactive duty for training (drill); active duty for training and active duty; Retired Reserve under age 60; and Retired Reserve age 60 or above.

Benefits for Reservists resulting from their inactive duty for training usually include: full-time Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance; military exchange and limited commissary privileges; limited medical care for injuries incurred while traveling to and from drill; access to military clothing sales stores, open mess facilities, military theaters, and transient billets if available; medical aid; space-available air transportation (within CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Virgin islands, and Puerto Rico); and survivor benefits. (see table below)

Benefits for Reservists on active duty for training or active duty usually include: access to most military facilities, including exchange and commissary facilities, open messes; limited medical and dental care; and access to most military recreational and entertainment facilities (see table).

When a Reservist completes at least 20 years of federal military service and chooses to transfer to the Retired Reserve, he or she temporarily loses some federal benefits until reaching age 60, when he or she then becomes eligible for expanded federal benefits in addition to his or her retired pay. Federal benefits given up while a member of the Retired Reserve include: the opportunity to earn retirement points, drill pay and allowances; and medical care.

Federal benefits retained by members of the Retired Reserve prior to reaching age 60 (“Gray-Area” Retirees) include: the use of all morale, welfare and recreational facilities; exchanges; 24 commissary visits per calendar year; the opportunity to join officer and NCO clubs (local rules permitting); space-available air transportation within and between CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; the option to enroll in VGLI coverage; retention of their commissions (officers only); and the opportunity to wear the military uniform at appropriate celebrations and military activities. Members of the Retired Reserve carry a Retired Reserve (Red) ID card until age 60.

Upon reaching age 60, Reservists receive the Retired (Blue) ID cards and begin receiving monthly retired pay, if they have applied for it. Also, they become eligible for medical and dental care for themselves and their eligible family members (limited dental care for eligible family members) at military medical facilities. Additional retirement benefits gained by Reservists upon reaching age 60 include: eligibility for medical treatment at Veterans Administration hospitals (see VA Benefits section for details); unlimited use of commissaries and eligibility for space-available air transportation worldwide, including eligible family members. They are also authorized civilian medical care benefits under TRICARE. Complete information on this program may be obtained from the TRICARE Management Activity, Aurora, Colorado, 80011 (see Uniformed Services Health Benefits Program for additional details).

Reservists receiving a pension or other compensation from the Veterans Administration, may waive their Retired Reserve pay in the amount of the VA pension or compensation, which will keep the compensation or pension (which is exempt from federal income tax) in effect. Retired Reservists may also waive their entire Retired Reserve pay in order to continue to receive the pension or other compensation from the VA.

Federal Benefits For Reserves*

*Under certain circumstances, some of these benefits are available at the discretion of the local base or installation commander.

Much of this information has been provided by the Uniformed Services Almanac.™
Click here to learn how to obtain a copy.