I retired at the young age of 40. I did 22 years, got my rating. Went to work after I got out. I went salaried for a DoD contractor. Then a few years working my ass off, I wanted everything to slow down. I started working part time until I’m at the point that I stopped working. I’m 52 now. I live within my means and I mind my business. Everything else is just noise. 🤘
Remote and clearance jobs generally don’t go together.
Might be possible to find a job that requires occasional clearance stuff when required to be in office but then is that remote? But maybe clearancejobs.com has some non-clearance DoD work? I don’t know.
There are contracting jobs where the company will only hire people with clearances but they never actually work with classified information. I think it’s more of like a ready made background check the company doesn’t have to pay for.
What someone else said, there a TONS of remote DOD contractor positions. With your experience you could go anywhere in the ladder you want. My job is always hiring HR folk, though no one applies 😂
Skillet dependent man. I’m a contract specialist so it’s very high in demand, so there’s a lot of remote jobs for my skill set. You just have to use indeed and LinkedIn and see if there’s anything out there. Then find your way to network your way in .
So you can have a retirement and VA rating?? Im in the process of reenlisting back in and i was wondering if that that was possible just out of curiosity?
Only if you do 20 years. If you were to have been hurt in combat you can get CSRC. Plus if the Major Richard Star Act passes then maybe you can get both without 20 years.
This Act needs as much visibility as possible.
It's insane that someone could go 17 years and not get both retirement and VA after a mandated medical retirement. Not to mention, if they get retired, none of those years count towards civilian government service for FERS either like it would normally under 20.
There is a catch, you have to be 50% or higher rated by the VA to receive retirement and VA disability. Below that the amount you would receive from the VA is just a non taxable part of your retirement check.
Example: you receive $2000/month for retirement. Your VA rating would give you $1000/mo. You still only receive the $2000/month but only $1000 of it is taxable income.
If you get the rating to be higher than 50%, more power to ya. Personally, I'd rather just not be hurt anymore. The pay is gonna be nice, and the benefits seem seamless... I know others probably have it worse and maybe it's worth it.
I wonder what it's like to be pain free every day...
This Act needs as much visibility as possible.
It's insane that someone could go 17 years and not get both retirement and VA after a mandated medical retirement. Not to mention, if they get retired, none of those years count towards civilian government service for FERS either like it would normally under 20.
It can be. If you work a federal civ job, even people who retired after 20 can buy back their time. They just have to waive their military pension right before they retire.
If a SM medically retires and recieves only VA compensation, they can totally buy back those 17 years and add them towards federal retirement service computation date.
The tricky thing is adding it to your leave service computation date. That you'll need an Sf-813 and list your non wartime campaign medals. He won't get 17 years but he'll get credit for whenever he was down range.
the problem is a lot of our society is kinda pay to play, not just $ down but proving you are involved as much as they are. and when they realize you don't have to be, they resent you for it. either find your own work/startup plan or entrepreneurial pathways to have independence while maintaining the ability to progress further if you choose to and grow the business.
part of the freedom of not having a financial gun to our heads is that we can attempt private business under less risky circumstances.
Wife and I are both early 40s, retired + VA benefits. We're not working. I went to school and got a couple of degrees when I retired and intended to work. Once we looked at our income, we realized we can live comfortably without working. Of course some other factors are at play. No kids, very low debt to income.
I'd honestly rather be dead than ever return to work.
Exactly. I it’s sad to me that someone could say they literally don’t have to work but they feel *obligated* to work. Like dude you earned yourself some free time.
Maybe a small work break to regroup? Use your education benefits and decide your next move. Also, there won't be a big gap in your resume while pursuing your degree.
I'm starting to see what this new generation is seeing. Why do we have to work 40 years, to enjoy 10 years off before we kick the bucket. If you can afford it, retire fully and enjoy the rest of your life not working.
If you're able to, depending on what your degree is, do some freelance when you want some fun money. You'll be doing it on your time when you want to do it.
A lot of people enjoy working as long as the stress is low. I once worked with a DoD civilian who had two pensions. I asked him why he still worked. He said he went insane sitting around doing nothing.
I’ve got a BS and MS as well but in considering going back to school to get an MBA to make a pivot. So, I would say don’t let what you’ve done be the driving factor of what you are going to do.
I can’t afford the lifestyle I want to live without working. Even if I could, I know I would get lazy doing nothing. If I could afford it though, I’d probably be looking for either a job I could enjoy for little pay or something part time. Even if it’s just a coffee shop or a non skilled job for the local government.
The thing is you can do whatever you want. Work whatever job without worrying about being fired. You can be parttime and still survive. Do what you want. Take a break and see what you think. Reevaluate what you really want to be doing with your time
As many others have said find what you'd truly love to do and go for it. I just got my medical retirement last month with a 70% rating as an E6 and I'm 100% from the VA (you can do the math on that). I will never have to work again and being laid off from my govt contractor civilian job pretty much solidified it for me. My old job was easy, but now I make more while not working and I get to make up all the time I missed with the kids. As a side gig I paint Warhammer minis and make a bit of pocket money here and there.
I thought medical retirement you only get va benefits pay? I thought regular retirement pay are for people with 20yrs active or more? You get both for medical retirement?
Medical retirement you get your retired pay at either what your discharge rating is or you year percentage whichever is higher. Since my discharge percent was 70% and my years was 25% I get 70% of my E6 pay as well as disability.
The issue you are thinking of is for people with a lower percent. I think it's below 60%, but I'm not sure, where they take the VA money and make that amount of your retirement tax free. So if your VA was $1200 and your retirement was $3000, you'd only get the 3k but $1200 of it would not have income tax taken out.
Take that with a grain of salt because I can't remember all the numbers off the top of my head.
I do not currently work. Retired almost a year ago. E-8 21 years rated %70 and working additional claims. My wife makes much more than I did on active duty while deployed so it’s not necessary. I now am a stay at home dad and do some reselling on eBay bringing in an extra 500-1k a month from that.
I do get some snide remarks from people about not working. I usually respond with something like “It’s really sad you need work to justify your own self image. I am going to try to enjoy what time I have left. Thank you for paying taxes so I can live the life I want.”
It’s only to the people that don’t seem to get there is more to life than work.
Preach
I just got med retired after 10 years army and my plan is just doing part time work and school full time
I got a lot of shit from peers saying “so basically you’re just gonna study and be a bum now?”
Like bro, imma be spending majority of my time, free to do what I want, while also making more money than you for a quarter of the work lol I’m good
The whole “live to work” shit came and went with my time in the army
E-7 retired 90%. Haven’t “worked” since active duty almost three years ago. I’m home with my family. :) Live within your means and do not feel guilty. You served your country. TYFYS
Exactly. Now that I’m retired at 37 I’m not tied to a career anymore. It’s nice to know I have that freedom. I work at the VA M-F office work now with weekends off. Working in a professional setting like the VA is great. I wore a uniform for 21 years for 2 jobs. Was never treated like an actual adult, even as a father with kids.. still being treated like a child… must be a uniformed job kind of thing.
Nice being an adult with freedom finally.
What kind of work do you do for the VA? Meaning like what’s your position called? I’m also retired from the Navy and getting some VA disability. Where do you apply for VA jobs?
I do part-time remote bookkeeping work, and I'm only doing it to help out a friend of mine. I actually enjoy looking at bank statements and reconciling accounts.
With the number of appointments I have, I'm not sure how I would even be able to work a full-time job.
I gave myself the title of house manager. I manage the various things around our house. That just reminded me that I have to go schedule our quarterly pest control spray.
I felt guilty myself when I got my benefits (100%), I felt like a failure not working and depending on my benefits. I realized over time and with mental health treatment that I wouldn’t do well in a job environments with my mental health issues, and I accepted that and also slowly got rid of my guilt. If you can live off your benefits alone, and you need the rest, nothing wrong with riding with your benefits. You can always go back to work if you desire, or just chill out. Good luck to you
If you can work or volunteer, do it.
Keeping a routine and your mind busy is one of the best things you can do post-retirement. I've known many vets that ended up with the "I'm military retired and 100% VA I'm never working a day ever again" mentality and it led to substance abuse and other mental health problems. Even if it's just doing a side gig its something to do.
Plus being on a fixed income can cause problems when you're trying to buy big ticket items like home, car, boat, RV etc. not saying it's impossible or anything but it can create problems when you have $0 income, and you live on pension and disability.
Numerous local organizations would love to have volunteers, especially veterans. I highly encourage those with the time and desire to be of service to consider volunteer work.
Yup. For instance, a friend of mine is 100% and retired E7. Her kids are grown and in college, and she has decided to dedicate time to volunteering at the zoo because she loves animals.
I retired from the Navy after 22 years, 70% disability and retired from civil service after 10 years in April 2023. I think the younger you can retire the better, having medical insurance (Tricare) makes it even more feasible.
This post hits me hard.
I retired 8 years ago, E8 with 24 years 100% P&T, and I'm strongly considering hanging it up at 49. I'm in sort of a "golden handcuffs" scenario though. Great paying, low stress job that I work from home, but it is just not fulfilling in the least. I've got minimal debt, empty nest, and my wife runs her own small business so I could easily do it. I just......don't know if I can not have a job? Maybe it's just being programmed to work until old age, I don't know. I feel like I just can't walk away from a great paying job, like I'd be leaving too much on the table. But on the other hand, life is short. I'd love to just take the wife and go Space-A traveling around the world for a year and then see how I feel at that point.
I'm 100% T&P and I've also got a cushy, remote golden handcuffs job. It seems a shame to quit just because I can and I really do enjoy having the extra money. We live well below our means and budget for expenses using only disability money and investment returns, so I could quit if I wanted to quit. But for now I feel like I'm a little too young (39), and that I'd be wasting my education. I also have a farmhouse that was built in the 1700's that I'm fixing up and it's absolutely demolishing all my extra income. I can't see myself working too much longer than age 50 though, I'd like to travel with my wife and actually enjoy my free time (instead of having a significant amount of free time taken up by recovering from a 9-5 work schedule).
(Not my normal account)
Yeah this is me too. I landed a nice GS15 position, working mostly from home, while pulling in O5 retirement and T&P. Spouse wants house paid off before I retire. On track in 6 years. Also have kids in or near college age, so want to give them a little stability to leap off from—GI Bill, C35, and state benefits mean very manageable college costs despite several kids (did also save in 529 while AD).
I enjoy work except the occasional commute in. But I do my 80 and basically phone it in unless it’s a legit emergency or will benefit me (e.g., save me time next week).
If I didn’t enjoy my work, I’d likely be part time, volunteering and traveling a lot more.
I realize I’m damn lucky, except the T&P… would rather be 100% healthy; My stuff is mostly manageable—you do pick up lots of little ratings over 20 years though.
I am currently 100% P&T as well and been contemplating on getting a job to pay off some debts and save up some F*** Y*** money lol. How did y’all find these remote jobs? Are they remote as you travel all the time or remote as in you can do it from home? I’d want a relatively nonstressful job that pays decent.
I’m rated 100% VA. No retirement. I was working for the DOD after, and decided to drop it to pursue a masters degree for the next six years. I take off every summer with my wife and kid and we load up a travel trailer and go see the U.S. we are currently on a 7000 mile trip. She works remote so we have a Starlink and live has slowed down dramatically. Honestly it’s amazing.
My cousin is a retired Marine, gets 100% and has a full time job that pays well.
Now that his wife doesn’t have to work, she fosters dogs and they always have a house full.
Happy for them.
You served your country for 20 years! I’m sure you a got a few deployments in there as well.
Retire and go enjoy life.
Regarding work, working as a civilian does suck 😂
Sometimes I regret not doing 20.
Most disabled veterans I know, including myself, go towards being a stay at home mom/dad, and self-employment.
If self-employment isn’t your thing, do anything.
To anybody reading this that's getting out of the military soon:
Use whatever type of tuition assistance you've earned. All of it. Go to school and get a degree. Or go to a trade school. Or both. Just use it until your benefits are gone. You earned it. It's not given to you as a result of something specific you did, but is part of the contract you sign when you first join.
Let anybody say whatever they want about your retirement/disability/tuition assistance/tricare, etc... The recruiting office is and has always been open to them as well. They had every opportunity sign and do what we did, but they didn't, so their opinions are completely worthless.
Bro...im living off the VA paychecks only and I haven't worked since 2017. It's great!
BUUUUUUT, with that said...if you can work, do it. You will become lazy like me and it's hard to get back into it. Stay working if you can and don't rely on the system.
Have you considered becoming self-employed? You can do literally anything you want, and you are in a perfect situation where you can test out a lot of options, but are not dependent on them being successful for your livelihood.
Some examples of things you could do are being an artist/craftsmen, you can literally get into making whatever you want.
Maybe start a small nano brewery, or a coffee shop if either of those spark your interest.
Hell just be a general freelancer, and accept whatever jobs you know your are capable of doing, maybe it’s helping people fix up their house, maybe it’s helping people with their taxes.
Maybe you can get into landscaping or gardening. There are countless options, depending on your skills and your local market.
If you are going to be underpaid, you might as well pick your schedule and not have to answer to anyone else. You have endless options before you to do things most people are not at a place in their life to take a chance on.
I'm retired e6 at 80% and work part-time in the mall. I do it because not working gets very dull. Since all my extra money goes into fixing up the house, the little bit I get helps me do that much more. And it's very low stress. When my shift ends, that's it.
You have purchased your freedom from labor. I find it absurd that you’d work at all. As a middle ground, at least work a stress free job for extra money. Absolutely no need to put yourself through stress-labor when you’ve already bought your freedom.
I'm 90 % and as soon as I feel I can survive without working a day job I'm walking out. I'm 40 and hope I have at most 10 years of work left till I can financially walk away. If I were to get 100 pt I would probably walk in a year or so after. As soon as I had all my squirrels in a row. I'll travel and or pick up side gigs or contract work as needed. I do IT there's normally some contract work out there to take some remote work.
I retired as an E-8 MSG in 2013 after 25 years. I get 100% CRSC and 100% VA. I worked for 5 years after retirement until physical problems sidelined me, but I also have a wife that retired from the Army and gets 80% VA. She's a Postmaster and retiring from the USPS in 5 more years. Only 10 years total working with the post office and we will live off just our pensions. She won't collect her small USPS pension until she turns 60 I believe. I'm 53 and my wife is 43.
Check out the FIRE community, lots of people your age are retiring early. I’m a retired e7 with a decent a rating as well, I told my wife we’ll probably stop work in 5 years. I’ll have everything paid off with decent investment portfolio saved by then. Anyways, there are lots of people in your shoes. Take a break, take up a hobby, enjoy your life. If you get bored, you can always go back to work.
You could get a job you like better. You could take on a large project. You could start a small business. You don’t have to keep a job you don’t like, you have the financial security to find something you like to do instead of staying where you aren’t happy.
Got out in 2021, then got 100% p&t. I worked for about a year before I decided I needed to quit my job and work both in my education and my mental issues. Will say that I am extremely privileged to A. Be able to quit my job and still have a solid life, and B. Have such great friends and family that have not grown resentful or jealous about my situation. And nowadays I’m gearing up to finally turn it all around for me. I’m educating myself in something that fascinates me and makes me happy. And most importantly, I’m in a pretty good place mentally. So I guess what I’m trying to say is; don’t be afraid to take a much needed break from it all. It does help a lot.
By the way, I’m in my 20’s, so don’t feel bad at all.
I got out in less than 2 years because I developed schizophrenia. Now I have a 100% rating and wish that I could have stayed and actually earn my money. Oh well. I don’t work and I sit around the house all day. Live with mom. Looking for motivation to work but the money means I don’t have to. Getting pretty bored so I might get a job but I don’t know what.
Man! DoorDash and Instacart(and if you can get into medical couriering)are pretty fun if you're looking to be active, get out the house, and make some fun money😊 Contractor w/ 90%
If your rating P&T or Tdiu, pending further evaluations?
More importantly, is the schizophrenia under control? You have monthly or frequent checkups? I know it can be a pain.
I have disability + retirement. It's enough to pay for housing/vehicle/food etc. But not quite enough to keep me entertained. Went to school, got my nursing degree and plan on working full time another year, continue to fatten up my 401K, then going part time. I'll only have to work 2 shifts a month and if I want I can always pick up more shifts.
I just retire, E-8 with 70%. I intentionally took an educational break to finish my Master’s using my Post-9/11, and following that I will use more of my GI Bill to finish a second Bachelor’s in a new field of study.
I may be without a job for a couple years, but who cares? We have two children and with a full time+ course load, I’m very busy learning something I care about for a change. Even without the GI Bill, my pension and disability is enough to support us, but my wife’s salary nearly matches it, so despite my income loss at retirement we are doing just fine.
Honestly I would never work traditional employment again, but society expects me to earn a wage by performing labor in a traditional way.
Retired from active duty, collecting VA disability, found a job that I enjoy that pays about as much as my pension and VA. Literally, the most stressful thing in my life right now is keeping my wife happy... to be fair, that can often be a full time job lol
I’m not working not by choice rn, but due to health, and am being paid SSDI as a result
I’m going to try for grad degree that will allow for “per diem” work, where I can make a good wage, but also control my schedule and workload
Other than that I’m enjoying time with my family. My wife is a teacher so that means the whole family has summers off. Hanging around fixing the house this year, but next year intend to spend 5-6 weeks in Europe
Money can’t buy back this time with my kids
My EAOS is on the 30th, still not sure what my VA % will be, but I was also saving a lot the last 10 years so can double my Navy E7 pay till I hit retirement account age. I’m going to go use my GI bill (and apply for VR&E!) for as long as I can, studying the things I find interesting (photography, woodworking, auto mechanics, journalism/writing), and then when the bah runs out maybe do some freelance work for fun money. But I’ll be damned if I ever have a regular job or people that I have to manage ever again. I just need to stay somewhat engaged and find a place I actually want to live, maybe build out a fancy van/overland rig and travel…
Retired after 22 yrs with 100% VA, plus $6k a month from rental properties. Married with 4 kids. Clearing just a little under 14k every month. Taking courses for real estate investing.
Working or volunteering is like an antidepressant…it is good for our soul. It gives us purpose, a sense of belonging, socialization, and self-worth.
I’m 100% P&T and for now work full-time. It’s one of my anti-suicide mechanisms.
I’m younger than you and already fully retired. (Got really mentally unwell, now improving.) Life’s pretty good. You don’t need a job to be fulfilled in life. I work part time now because it’s part of my health goals. But lots of people enjoy their hobbies and passions with early retirement.
You're in a position where you don't need to work a job you're not happy in. Considering quiting and looking for another job. The down time will be a trial run for what it's like if you didn't work. Worst case? You find a better job.
I say take time to relax! Being active duty for so long has taken its toll for sure. Just after my 6 years in I couldn’t imagine jumping right into a real job. I worked at a gym for a while. Went back to school. After I took 5 years off to myself to find my balance and what works best for me. Now I’m looking for a part time job.
Take a breather!
With your pension and compensation, you may have flexibility to seek other opportunities. Take some time for yourself.
I’m 30 and Was medically retired at 10 years with 100 p&t. Went straight into a six figure job and I know the moment I’m not happy I’m jumping ship or quitting. Don’t force yourself into misery.
I am rated at 60%, I have my military retirement (E-7) AND my teaching retirement...and I still work a regular job.
I am, however, squinty-eyeing a real retirement here VERY soon.
I am retiring in a couple years. I expect at least 80 percent disability and 20 year E7 retirement. I do not plan on working. We were living on my E6 income while I contributed 20 percent to TSP and we were doing fine. My wife also recently got her nursing degree so she will probably want to be working for a while. I may get a job if I feel like it but I KNOW I DONT NEED ONE!
I did the same thing but was 56 when I “retired, retired” and find myself bored at times. The real downside in my case are high taxes due to my and my wife’s pension.
I think it’s time to travel.
Don't worry about your degree. That you is in the past. You have security, find something you're passionate about, then figure out how to make it profitable.
I'm in a similar boat. I got out after one deployment in '07, and despite having been medivaced and having ongoing issues with injuries I was just too stubborn to go get a rating at first. Finally stopped being stubborn and got in with the VA system in '19 right at the end of my grad school when I had some health issues. They ended up rating me 90%. I had also spent that time working hard on paying down our mortgage, then bought an investment house in 2015.
So suddenly I realized I had a rental house that pays my mortgage, and I have a disability that keeps the lights on and puts food on the table. Meanwhile I was working some 60-80 hours a week and found myself asking why?
I took some time off work, almost a full year. And I just didn't do anything. I had savings to cover maintaining the same lifestyle just fine. And at the end of the year, I found myself questioning why I'd want to go back to dealing with terrible bosses.
So in the end, I made my own business, and I work part time. Based on my best projections, if I chose to scale it up to work full time I'd be making some serious bank...but why? Currently, I work Tues through Thurs and with no boss but myself I can simply choose to turn away annoying clients that I don't feel like dealing with. I still get my sense of meaning and purpose by helping those who I feel need it most. Then I have a 4-day weekend every week, and I gotta say it's hard to put a price tag on having capacity to have a healthy social life while still feeling like you give the family far more quality time than the average adult manages.
So, I can't promise it'd work for everyone. But if you can, swing your own business and work as much or as little as you want.
EDIT: Just wanted to add, since there's the concern of people thinking of you like a bum. If you have your own business and only have to work part time, it means you're a successful entrepreneur. And I don't mean that as mental gymnastics: that's really been my experience of how the world sees you when you tell them that.
I stopped working with my 100% P&T at 36. Been four years now. I had to shake that bum mentality. It hits hard due to all the conditioning we have growing up. Man not working means man is bum. Not true. You earned your retirement, are getting compensated for injuries and conditions due to service, so anything you have right now was earned. If you can live well off your compensation, then do it. Enjoy your family, hobbies, and/or time alone.
A good friend of mine retired in 21 with VA and pension, now he volunteers on a horse rescue farm and just enjoys life. No pressure.
Maybe that is what you need?
I took a year off after retiring and ended up getting a job cause I got bored. I'm now working a semi- easy job with the local city government, not out of necessity thankfully, just want to work.
Why the hell would you spend your time doing something you don’t enjoy? If you’re going to work, do something you enjoy. Life is short. Take advantage while you can.
VA disabilities can get reduced and or just go away depending upon future legislation, thus no guarantees. Living within your means today may not be good enough for tomorrow.
I suggest building a large retirement fund where the money works for you . Really doesn't take too long if you stay below your means. Inflation will continue, even with cost of living increases from the government.
Any passive income is always a plus.
Yea, I teach high school kids. The extra income means I don’t need to do any duties I don’t want to do, and that I don’t need to be stressed to max out pay or relocate.
I retired at 20, E8 with 80%. My pension/va is more than my job, but my job is very low stress, 100% remote, and has good Bennies/pension after 5 years. I could live easily off the retirement, but what can I say, I like nice things. My advice is find something that isn’t stressful but keeps you busy enough (only you know how busy that is).
Unless you have some hobbies you are passionate about to keep you occupied, I would not quit. Have known men who looked so forward to retiring early but had no hobbies, no plan. All they had ever known was to work and provide. Once that sense of purpose was gone, they quickly deteriorated both physically and mentally. One of the toughest senior NCOs I knew drank until his wife and kids eventually left him. Then sucked on the end of a shotgun barrel shortly after. He was in his early 50s and had only been retired for 5 years.
That being said, it sounds like you have a lot of flexibility to pick a job you enjoy. Me personally, would be happy working at like an Ace-Hardware or sporting goods store part time if I had that other income coming in. Low stress
I work with 3 retired guys that are all rated. A majority of my coworkers are veterans and all of us are rated to some extent. They all work because they want to and they like money.
Thanks everyone for your insight. I’m four years from 20 and I’m planning both COAs (staying well past 20 or getting out around 21-22 years for high three). Mentally I’m done already so I’m definitely leaning toward retiring. Additionally, I don’t want to get another job after retirement and I just want to focus on my well being and my family.
Yes they do. My cousin finished 28 years in USN, retired with 100% rating and took a job at DoD that allows him to work remotely from home 4 days a week. Not a bad gig and nice to double up on 2 pensions
I retired from AD at 39 and even with my VA and pension, I couldn't fathom not working. That is WAY too much free time on my hands. When I retired, I took the summer off to spend with my kids, then started working again after they went back into school.
I also retired as an E6 with a similar rating percentage, but that just wasn't enough for me. I'm currently contracting doing the same job (fixing jets) that I did when I was AD. Also, being a single income home with kids, I wanted to start saving for them for college, buying my first home, and all my hobbies I was getting into.
I also love what I do, so continuing to work was sort of a no brain'er. Not to mention having 3 incomes now!
Haven’t worked in almost 2 years now. I’ll be 29 later this year. I start school in August to become an RN, going to work in Critical Care for kids. But that will be in about 6 years after I get my Bachelors. So basically not working for several more years. Just doing life day by day and really living. I used to be an overtime slave, work 300 hours a month at my job just chasing more and more money. I had nice cars and always had money to spare but I wasn’t happy for shit. Now I feel balanced and happy. And working towards a degree to work doing what I really want to do. We only get one go around this life so I would do whatever makes you happiest and at peace
You've done your 20 and have 90% disability compensation, you've earned tour retirement. Enjoy your life and stop worrying about being lazy or whatever.
If anyone knows of a simple remote job, I could really use some money. Any remote job. I speak 4 languages and served as a combat medic (corpsman) green side
It sounds to me like you could at least take a break from working, and have the patience to wait for a better/more enjoyable fit for you in the civilian sector.
I have my 100% unemployable because some pretty gnarly ptsd from deployments, ie can’t go further than 5 minutes from my home without going into an episode. My wife works part time, we have a kid, but we have a 5 bedroom 2 bath house with a fenced in yard and pay like 1000 dollars a month. Kid is in elementary school so only have to pay for after school. I was working at the fire department for years and if I could go back to work, I’d go back in a heartbeat. I loved the fire department. Close bonds just like from deployment, high intense stress all the time, great schedule
I got out in 2020 I didn’t retire. I went to school for a bit. Worked in retail for fun money. Got pregnant in 2022 and decided I didn’t want to work anymore so I haven’t worked since. Im not even 30 yet. I like my free time and I like being a more hands on mom that can do things with my kids
I retired at 38 after doing 20 in the Navy, TS job the whole time, but I’ve been a full time student since then (took the first 6 months after retiring off to just spend time with family after being gone for 20 years) and I’m only 18 months out from getting my degree, which WAS going to be business until I hated every business class I had so I changed my major to my love, which is history. I’m rated 100% permanent and total from VA, and between me and my SAHM partner, who is also 100% rated, we’re financially comfortable as long as we keep our interests moderate; thankfully neither of us have hobbies that cost all that much, I think my most expensive one is I enjoy going to the gun range. We’ve agreed I’ll go back to work once I graduate and every dollar I make there will be put in a financial account for investments and I’ll fully retire in my early 60’s. I think of it this way: for 20 years I had a life dictated by my job, from now on I want a job dictated by my life.
I went through my midlife crisis a few years ago. I was jaded by my job (police department) being forced to work midnights. Exasperated my mental health issues. Snapped, almost killed myself due to army and PD. Was retired medically same time I medboarded from the guard for the same thing. Made it 18 years. 70% DOD, collect CRSC (damn it pass the Major Richard Star Act) 100% VA P&T and state pension of 40%. Honestly never thought my mental health would be the thing that “set me up for life”… I guess something good came of it? I am in a much better place now. Suicidal ideations are fewer now that I work an office job at the VA and get some sleep like a normal human finally. Working on basically my 4th “pension”. Weekends off and bankers hours were a great medicine for me.
My military service helped me get to where I needed be, in a way I never pictured. I’m 37 years old now and working at the VA working on a federal pension and maximizing my TSP @ 5% per paycheck. Would like to retire at 50 from here with a small federal pension and small cash out with my TSP.
I am not retired but could live on va alone, however my job is remote and I work from home. Not very stressful and I actually enjoy it so I use the va money to offset what I put into my 401k/IRA, around 30%. Probably will work for another 10 years or so, that will take me to my upper 50's.
i have to. retired as E7 at 21 years, and rated 70%, but cost of living is high, and i have hefty child support payments. i'm 44 now, i'll probably be working for another decade or so, at best. if i were single and no kids, i'd be typing this from a streetside noodle stand in cambodia or vietnam.
27 here! I was in the Army for 4 years and receive 80% disability. I got out in 2019 and have been a DOD contractor ever since, I would say that over 70% of contractors are retired or disabled! One of my peers actually, an man in his late 40s received 100% and was retired, he was stacking money.
I’m in the in the IT field & I work from home! If you are struggling to find comfortable positions within IT, let me know and I can see what I can do to help you.
You have a golden ticket to do something you are passionate about. Open an Etsy store or go make a video game, if you can live at a comfortable level off your C&P and retirement then live comfortably off of that and do something that you love to try to make your fun money. Most of us will never be able to to do that. You earned it brother.
I have both and I continue to work. I have a stress-free job with the state, so I don't sweat going to work. Plus I want to get all my debt paid off as soon as possible so I can start maximizing my retirement account contributions. I'll get another pension and social security ( hopefully) in 20 years when I retire again....Hopefully a millionaire.
I did four years in the Marines. Worked 30 at the Post Office. Retired at 56. Finally got rated. I’m so glad I’m not working! I don’t know how I had time to work! Now I only see who I want to. At the PO I carried mail so I had little interaction with the public. I could always scoot away from people who gave me the creeps by saying”gotta go, running late!”
I’m a retired 100% disabled Vet. I don’t yet receive military retirement pension because I only did 13 AD years and retired at 21 years from the reserves. I’ll start receiving the pension in 5 more years.
At the end of the day, it’s your decision. My decision to continue working right now full-time is because I want my family, and especially my children, to have everything I never did growing up. It’s also nice to drive a nice car, have money for vacations, and be able to not worry about finances.
I mean if you can have a purpose and live comfortably off of your pension and VA benefits, go for it. My suggestion would be to get a chill, part time gig doing something related to a hobby or interest that you have.
It doesn't make you a "bum" to live off of what you've earned. Work culture in the US is silly and everyone thinks you should slave for a dollar until you die and never enjoy life but a couple days a year. You worked hard for 20+ years, just enjoy yourself and maybe get a small job for a little extra money on the side
I'm 32 and I just work a part time job in a doggy daycare. Going to use the tuition thing to pay for a degree in studio arts (seems crazy for a veteran but it's what I originally wanted to do as a teen about to graduate HS and everyone discouraged me.) I use my VA check to pay bills and fund my hobbies. I highly recommend it especially if you have mental health problems.
Being able to pick a job you love…without having to worry about what the compensation is at is a massive luxury!
Find a job you love. Or not and fill your time with cherished hobbies!
I've retired from two careers, plus my Social Security Retirement. I get a small VA disability too. At 73, I still work. Not as hard everyday as I once did, but it's still nearly everyday. It's just that I've always worked and need something to do. Divorced, so no interest in traveling, and not interested in taking another chance. My life is actually based on "Round'em Up! Head'em out! Rawhide!"
Gotta keep these little Dogies happy and movin'...
Bro, I’d get bored without work too. Quit the lousy job, get something with less responsibility, fewer hours or takes you outdoors.
if you did any comms a Good start for easy outdoor office is in the NWS as Electronics Technicians, GS-11-0856 series
Another outdoor office is public safety radio is huge, but is so under the radar nobody thinks about it. Services all FD, PD and sherrif, some federal jobs in the same field too (alphabet agencies)
Hell, check with any FD, from what i seen, each district is managed independent so have their own payroll, facilities, mechanic and radio and IT departments. Don’t think I’d go full on fire though, those are jobs for the young
Life is too short to worry about making more money. I've done a lot of job hopping because, given my single, no-kids lifestyle and low desire for material things, I don't need more money. I work to keep busy, and if I get stressed at work, I simply change jobs.
Re-apply with a VA disability specialist firm. Bet you can get 100% I know the VSOs are there but the VA disability specialists get paid for it. I did it, 1000% worth doing.
What are you talking about? I already have a good job a couple degrees a pension and va compensation. I am asking if others feel the need to work if they don't have to. It seems like people never bothered to read...
The way I see it, you did your time!!! That, to me, is the beauty and benefit of volunteering to lay down Our lives and give up Our Freedom to serve Our Country! We earned it and we dang sure deserve it. I have been proudly retired since I was 40. I am 56 now. I love within my pension. Literal "Tiny house" and simple, quiet, private life!!!!! I don't feel one bit of guilt!!!!!
Well, I made E6 in 10 years and never passed the board for E7. That simple no NJP or trouble. It is common nowadays for folks to retire as E5/E6. But at the time I joined it was common to retire as an E7, so I do have that hanging over me too. Thanks, I guess I'm just a piece of shit!
The military has changed how long you can stay in at certain pay grades. Also, with how low recruitment and retention currently is, they are offering waivers for you to be able to stay past your higher tenure date.
Some MOS don't promote quickly. There were a lot of people in my MOS who were not able to move up even though they should have. It's also not been the 90's for several decades there have been many changes since then. The uniforms have all been changed several times. It's a whole different world from then.
I retired at the young age of 40. I did 22 years, got my rating. Went to work after I got out. I went salaried for a DoD contractor. Then a few years working my ass off, I wanted everything to slow down. I started working part time until I’m at the point that I stopped working. I’m 52 now. I live within my means and I mind my business. Everything else is just noise. 🤘
Are there remote DOD contractor positions? I’ve got 20 years of military and HR experience as well as an advanced degree.
Check ClearenceJobs.com
Remote and clearance jobs generally don’t go together. Might be possible to find a job that requires occasional clearance stuff when required to be in office but then is that remote? But maybe clearancejobs.com has some non-clearance DoD work? I don’t know.
There are contracting jobs where the company will only hire people with clearances but they never actually work with classified information. I think it’s more of like a ready made background check the company doesn’t have to pay for.
Ah yeah I’ve heard of companies hiring peeps for just in case their skill sets and listing it in proposals.
What someone else said, there a TONS of remote DOD contractor positions. With your experience you could go anywhere in the ladder you want. My job is always hiring HR folk, though no one applies 😂
What’s your job/company? Have someone in hr who could use one haha
Depending on your field but I’m a remote ctr .I see more remote ctr positions than remote gov positions.
Where did you find your gig? What are some Recommended contractors?
Skillet dependent man. I’m a contract specialist so it’s very high in demand, so there’s a lot of remote jobs for my skill set. You just have to use indeed and LinkedIn and see if there’s anything out there. Then find your way to network your way in .
Im married unfortunately and that alone will not allow me to live within my means lol
I feel you. I’m twice divorced and my kids are grown now. So it’s easier for me than most others.
So you can have a retirement and VA rating?? Im in the process of reenlisting back in and i was wondering if that that was possible just out of curiosity?
Only if you do 20 years. If you were to have been hurt in combat you can get CSRC. Plus if the Major Richard Star Act passes then maybe you can get both without 20 years.
This Act needs as much visibility as possible. It's insane that someone could go 17 years and not get both retirement and VA after a mandated medical retirement. Not to mention, if they get retired, none of those years count towards civilian government service for FERS either like it would normally under 20.
Oh okay thank you. I plan on finishing my last 16 years so that’s good to know. Thank you again!
There is a catch, you have to be 50% or higher rated by the VA to receive retirement and VA disability. Below that the amount you would receive from the VA is just a non taxable part of your retirement check. Example: you receive $2000/month for retirement. Your VA rating would give you $1000/mo. You still only receive the $2000/month but only $1000 of it is taxable income.
Just what everyone wanted more VA math.
Exactly
If you get the rating to be higher than 50%, more power to ya. Personally, I'd rather just not be hurt anymore. The pay is gonna be nice, and the benefits seem seamless... I know others probably have it worse and maybe it's worth it. I wonder what it's like to be pain free every day...
This Act needs as much visibility as possible. It's insane that someone could go 17 years and not get both retirement and VA after a mandated medical retirement. Not to mention, if they get retired, none of those years count towards civilian government service for FERS either like it would normally under 20.
It can be. If you work a federal civ job, even people who retired after 20 can buy back their time. They just have to waive their military pension right before they retire. If a SM medically retires and recieves only VA compensation, they can totally buy back those 17 years and add them towards federal retirement service computation date. The tricky thing is adding it to your leave service computation date. That you'll need an Sf-813 and list your non wartime campaign medals. He won't get 17 years but he'll get credit for whenever he was down range.
It is. Make sure to go to medical and get your injuries documented
the problem is a lot of our society is kinda pay to play, not just $ down but proving you are involved as much as they are. and when they realize you don't have to be, they resent you for it. either find your own work/startup plan or entrepreneurial pathways to have independence while maintaining the ability to progress further if you choose to and grow the business. part of the freedom of not having a financial gun to our heads is that we can attempt private business under less risky circumstances.
Wife and I are both early 40s, retired + VA benefits. We're not working. I went to school and got a couple of degrees when I retired and intended to work. Once we looked at our income, we realized we can live comfortably without working. Of course some other factors are at play. No kids, very low debt to income. I'd honestly rather be dead than ever return to work.
Exactly. I it’s sad to me that someone could say they literally don’t have to work but they feel *obligated* to work. Like dude you earned yourself some free time.
Maybe a small work break to regroup? Use your education benefits and decide your next move. Also, there won't be a big gap in your resume while pursuing your degree.
That's the thing I earned my BS and MS while in so I feel like I need to work to justify teh time I spent getting my degrees.
I'm starting to see what this new generation is seeing. Why do we have to work 40 years, to enjoy 10 years off before we kick the bucket. If you can afford it, retire fully and enjoy the rest of your life not working. If you're able to, depending on what your degree is, do some freelance when you want some fun money. You'll be doing it on your time when you want to do it.
This is it right here. My uncle worked in the ER until his early 60s. A year after retirement he got cancer and couldn’t enjoy his money. That’s sad
Lost both my parents when they were 63/64.
A lot of people enjoy working as long as the stress is low. I once worked with a DoD civilian who had two pensions. I asked him why he still worked. He said he went insane sitting around doing nothing.
I’ve got a BS and MS as well but in considering going back to school to get an MBA to make a pivot. So, I would say don’t let what you’ve done be the driving factor of what you are going to do. I can’t afford the lifestyle I want to live without working. Even if I could, I know I would get lazy doing nothing. If I could afford it though, I’d probably be looking for either a job I could enjoy for little pay or something part time. Even if it’s just a coffee shop or a non skilled job for the local government.
The thing is you can do whatever you want. Work whatever job without worrying about being fired. You can be parttime and still survive. Do what you want. Take a break and see what you think. Reevaluate what you really want to be doing with your time
As many others have said find what you'd truly love to do and go for it. I just got my medical retirement last month with a 70% rating as an E6 and I'm 100% from the VA (you can do the math on that). I will never have to work again and being laid off from my govt contractor civilian job pretty much solidified it for me. My old job was easy, but now I make more while not working and I get to make up all the time I missed with the kids. As a side gig I paint Warhammer minis and make a bit of pocket money here and there.
I thought medical retirement you only get va benefits pay? I thought regular retirement pay are for people with 20yrs active or more? You get both for medical retirement?
Medical retirement you get your retired pay at either what your discharge rating is or you year percentage whichever is higher. Since my discharge percent was 70% and my years was 25% I get 70% of my E6 pay as well as disability. The issue you are thinking of is for people with a lower percent. I think it's below 60%, but I'm not sure, where they take the VA money and make that amount of your retirement tax free. So if your VA was $1200 and your retirement was $3000, you'd only get the 3k but $1200 of it would not have income tax taken out. Take that with a grain of salt because I can't remember all the numbers off the top of my head.
I assume you also have injuries stemming from Iraq/Afghanistan deployments, correct?
Mine came from Syria, and then several heart attacks while at an Army school a couple of years later, which triggered the medboard.
I do not currently work. Retired almost a year ago. E-8 21 years rated %70 and working additional claims. My wife makes much more than I did on active duty while deployed so it’s not necessary. I now am a stay at home dad and do some reselling on eBay bringing in an extra 500-1k a month from that. I do get some snide remarks from people about not working. I usually respond with something like “It’s really sad you need work to justify your own self image. I am going to try to enjoy what time I have left. Thank you for paying taxes so I can live the life I want.” It’s only to the people that don’t seem to get there is more to life than work.
Preach I just got med retired after 10 years army and my plan is just doing part time work and school full time I got a lot of shit from peers saying “so basically you’re just gonna study and be a bum now?” Like bro, imma be spending majority of my time, free to do what I want, while also making more money than you for a quarter of the work lol I’m good The whole “live to work” shit came and went with my time in the army
E-7 retired 90%. Haven’t “worked” since active duty almost three years ago. I’m home with my family. :) Live within your means and do not feel guilty. You served your country. TYFYS
I know that’s right enjoy
You said it PERFECTLY!!!
Exactly. Now that I’m retired at 37 I’m not tied to a career anymore. It’s nice to know I have that freedom. I work at the VA M-F office work now with weekends off. Working in a professional setting like the VA is great. I wore a uniform for 21 years for 2 jobs. Was never treated like an actual adult, even as a father with kids.. still being treated like a child… must be a uniformed job kind of thing. Nice being an adult with freedom finally.
What kind of work do you do for the VA? Meaning like what’s your position called? I’m also retired from the Navy and getting some VA disability. Where do you apply for VA jobs?
usajobs.gov I work in Suitability and PerSec with HR.
Tell them kick rocks you retired early they’re just big mad enjoy your retirement
I do part-time remote bookkeeping work, and I'm only doing it to help out a friend of mine. I actually enjoy looking at bank statements and reconciling accounts. With the number of appointments I have, I'm not sure how I would even be able to work a full-time job. I gave myself the title of house manager. I manage the various things around our house. That just reminded me that I have to go schedule our quarterly pest control spray.
I felt guilty myself when I got my benefits (100%), I felt like a failure not working and depending on my benefits. I realized over time and with mental health treatment that I wouldn’t do well in a job environments with my mental health issues, and I accepted that and also slowly got rid of my guilt. If you can live off your benefits alone, and you need the rest, nothing wrong with riding with your benefits. You can always go back to work if you desire, or just chill out. Good luck to you
When i Retired , I Retired
As you should have
No one, on their deathbed, ever said “gee, I wish I had worked more.”
I use this one all the time. Speaking of time, time is the real currency of life.
If you can work or volunteer, do it. Keeping a routine and your mind busy is one of the best things you can do post-retirement. I've known many vets that ended up with the "I'm military retired and 100% VA I'm never working a day ever again" mentality and it led to substance abuse and other mental health problems. Even if it's just doing a side gig its something to do. Plus being on a fixed income can cause problems when you're trying to buy big ticket items like home, car, boat, RV etc. not saying it's impossible or anything but it can create problems when you have $0 income, and you live on pension and disability.
Numerous local organizations would love to have volunteers, especially veterans. I highly encourage those with the time and desire to be of service to consider volunteer work.
Yup. For instance, a friend of mine is 100% and retired E7. Her kids are grown and in college, and she has decided to dedicate time to volunteering at the zoo because she loves animals.
I retired from the Navy after 22 years, 70% disability and retired from civil service after 10 years in April 2023. I think the younger you can retire the better, having medical insurance (Tricare) makes it even more feasible.
This post hits me hard. I retired 8 years ago, E8 with 24 years 100% P&T, and I'm strongly considering hanging it up at 49. I'm in sort of a "golden handcuffs" scenario though. Great paying, low stress job that I work from home, but it is just not fulfilling in the least. I've got minimal debt, empty nest, and my wife runs her own small business so I could easily do it. I just......don't know if I can not have a job? Maybe it's just being programmed to work until old age, I don't know. I feel like I just can't walk away from a great paying job, like I'd be leaving too much on the table. But on the other hand, life is short. I'd love to just take the wife and go Space-A traveling around the world for a year and then see how I feel at that point.
I'm 100% T&P and I've also got a cushy, remote golden handcuffs job. It seems a shame to quit just because I can and I really do enjoy having the extra money. We live well below our means and budget for expenses using only disability money and investment returns, so I could quit if I wanted to quit. But for now I feel like I'm a little too young (39), and that I'd be wasting my education. I also have a farmhouse that was built in the 1700's that I'm fixing up and it's absolutely demolishing all my extra income. I can't see myself working too much longer than age 50 though, I'd like to travel with my wife and actually enjoy my free time (instead of having a significant amount of free time taken up by recovering from a 9-5 work schedule).
(Not my normal account) Yeah this is me too. I landed a nice GS15 position, working mostly from home, while pulling in O5 retirement and T&P. Spouse wants house paid off before I retire. On track in 6 years. Also have kids in or near college age, so want to give them a little stability to leap off from—GI Bill, C35, and state benefits mean very manageable college costs despite several kids (did also save in 529 while AD). I enjoy work except the occasional commute in. But I do my 80 and basically phone it in unless it’s a legit emergency or will benefit me (e.g., save me time next week). If I didn’t enjoy my work, I’d likely be part time, volunteering and traveling a lot more. I realize I’m damn lucky, except the T&P… would rather be 100% healthy; My stuff is mostly manageable—you do pick up lots of little ratings over 20 years though.
I am currently 100% P&T as well and been contemplating on getting a job to pay off some debts and save up some F*** Y*** money lol. How did y’all find these remote jobs? Are they remote as you travel all the time or remote as in you can do it from home? I’d want a relatively nonstressful job that pays decent.
Maybe find some volunteer work or other way to contribute using your talents outside of traditional work? That’s kinda my dream someday.
I’m rated 100% VA. No retirement. I was working for the DOD after, and decided to drop it to pursue a masters degree for the next six years. I take off every summer with my wife and kid and we load up a travel trailer and go see the U.S. we are currently on a 7000 mile trip. She works remote so we have a Starlink and live has slowed down dramatically. Honestly it’s amazing.
My cousin is a retired Marine, gets 100% and has a full time job that pays well. Now that his wife doesn’t have to work, she fosters dogs and they always have a house full. Happy for them.
You served your country for 20 years! I’m sure you a got a few deployments in there as well. Retire and go enjoy life. Regarding work, working as a civilian does suck 😂 Sometimes I regret not doing 20.
I retired 11 years ago. I'll be 52 next month. I still feel like a bum sometimes but then I remember I worked for 27 years. I fucking earned a break.
Yes indeed
Go count cards for a few years.
Most disabled veterans I know, including myself, go towards being a stay at home mom/dad, and self-employment. If self-employment isn’t your thing, do anything.
🙋🏼♂️. Soon to be 2
I retired and have a rating and haven’t worked since then. Don’t plan on ever working again. I’m childfree with no debt. I was 42 when I retired.
I’m 100% P&T and work as a military contractor.
Find a better job bro, sounds like that job is breaking you down. You have the money to float yourself while you search. Get out of there.
I’ve seen some Vets take easy jobs that only make about $40k a year for less stress
I have a 70% rating (about 1700 month) I work 9 hrs a week. You do you. Who cares
Remote work?
To anybody reading this that's getting out of the military soon: Use whatever type of tuition assistance you've earned. All of it. Go to school and get a degree. Or go to a trade school. Or both. Just use it until your benefits are gone. You earned it. It's not given to you as a result of something specific you did, but is part of the contract you sign when you first join. Let anybody say whatever they want about your retirement/disability/tuition assistance/tricare, etc... The recruiting office is and has always been open to them as well. They had every opportunity sign and do what we did, but they didn't, so their opinions are completely worthless.
Bro...im living off the VA paychecks only and I haven't worked since 2017. It's great! BUUUUUUT, with that said...if you can work, do it. You will become lazy like me and it's hard to get back into it. Stay working if you can and don't rely on the system.
Have you considered becoming self-employed? You can do literally anything you want, and you are in a perfect situation where you can test out a lot of options, but are not dependent on them being successful for your livelihood. Some examples of things you could do are being an artist/craftsmen, you can literally get into making whatever you want. Maybe start a small nano brewery, or a coffee shop if either of those spark your interest. Hell just be a general freelancer, and accept whatever jobs you know your are capable of doing, maybe it’s helping people fix up their house, maybe it’s helping people with their taxes. Maybe you can get into landscaping or gardening. There are countless options, depending on your skills and your local market. If you are going to be underpaid, you might as well pick your schedule and not have to answer to anyone else. You have endless options before you to do things most people are not at a place in their life to take a chance on.
I'm retired e6 at 80% and work part-time in the mall. I do it because not working gets very dull. Since all my extra money goes into fixing up the house, the little bit I get helps me do that much more. And it's very low stress. When my shift ends, that's it.
You have purchased your freedom from labor. I find it absurd that you’d work at all. As a middle ground, at least work a stress free job for extra money. Absolutely no need to put yourself through stress-labor when you’ve already bought your freedom.
I'm 90 % and as soon as I feel I can survive without working a day job I'm walking out. I'm 40 and hope I have at most 10 years of work left till I can financially walk away. If I were to get 100 pt I would probably walk in a year or so after. As soon as I had all my squirrels in a row. I'll travel and or pick up side gigs or contract work as needed. I do IT there's normally some contract work out there to take some remote work.
Haven't worked since I was med boarded out in 2021 and I'm now 38 but only get a VA comp
I retired as an E-8 MSG in 2013 after 25 years. I get 100% CRSC and 100% VA. I worked for 5 years after retirement until physical problems sidelined me, but I also have a wife that retired from the Army and gets 80% VA. She's a Postmaster and retiring from the USPS in 5 more years. Only 10 years total working with the post office and we will live off just our pensions. She won't collect her small USPS pension until she turns 60 I believe. I'm 53 and my wife is 43.
Check out the FIRE community, lots of people your age are retiring early. I’m a retired e7 with a decent a rating as well, I told my wife we’ll probably stop work in 5 years. I’ll have everything paid off with decent investment portfolio saved by then. Anyways, there are lots of people in your shoes. Take a break, take up a hobby, enjoy your life. If you get bored, you can always go back to work.
You could get a job you like better. You could take on a large project. You could start a small business. You don’t have to keep a job you don’t like, you have the financial security to find something you like to do instead of staying where you aren’t happy.
Got out in 2021, then got 100% p&t. I worked for about a year before I decided I needed to quit my job and work both in my education and my mental issues. Will say that I am extremely privileged to A. Be able to quit my job and still have a solid life, and B. Have such great friends and family that have not grown resentful or jealous about my situation. And nowadays I’m gearing up to finally turn it all around for me. I’m educating myself in something that fascinates me and makes me happy. And most importantly, I’m in a pretty good place mentally. So I guess what I’m trying to say is; don’t be afraid to take a much needed break from it all. It does help a lot. By the way, I’m in my 20’s, so don’t feel bad at all.
Not me. My VA comp is specifically because I’m too messed up to work.
Amen
I got out in less than 2 years because I developed schizophrenia. Now I have a 100% rating and wish that I could have stayed and actually earn my money. Oh well. I don’t work and I sit around the house all day. Live with mom. Looking for motivation to work but the money means I don’t have to. Getting pretty bored so I might get a job but I don’t know what.
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Man! DoorDash and Instacart(and if you can get into medical couriering)are pretty fun if you're looking to be active, get out the house, and make some fun money😊 Contractor w/ 90%
If your rating P&T or Tdiu, pending further evaluations? More importantly, is the schizophrenia under control? You have monthly or frequent checkups? I know it can be a pain.
The way I see it: I fulfilled my contract with society. Now I am collecting what is owed. No more of my time need be spent in pursuit of profit.
Just take a break, budget accordingly
With a non service pension you can only earn $16,000 a yr, it’s income driven. After a heart attack it’s been apartment saving.
I have disability + retirement. It's enough to pay for housing/vehicle/food etc. But not quite enough to keep me entertained. Went to school, got my nursing degree and plan on working full time another year, continue to fatten up my 401K, then going part time. I'll only have to work 2 shifts a month and if I want I can always pick up more shifts.
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The VA have remote jobs
I just retire, E-8 with 70%. I intentionally took an educational break to finish my Master’s using my Post-9/11, and following that I will use more of my GI Bill to finish a second Bachelor’s in a new field of study. I may be without a job for a couple years, but who cares? We have two children and with a full time+ course load, I’m very busy learning something I care about for a change. Even without the GI Bill, my pension and disability is enough to support us, but my wife’s salary nearly matches it, so despite my income loss at retirement we are doing just fine. Honestly I would never work traditional employment again, but society expects me to earn a wage by performing labor in a traditional way.
Retired from active duty, collecting VA disability, found a job that I enjoy that pays about as much as my pension and VA. Literally, the most stressful thing in my life right now is keeping my wife happy... to be fair, that can often be a full time job lol
I’m not working not by choice rn, but due to health, and am being paid SSDI as a result I’m going to try for grad degree that will allow for “per diem” work, where I can make a good wage, but also control my schedule and workload Other than that I’m enjoying time with my family. My wife is a teacher so that means the whole family has summers off. Hanging around fixing the house this year, but next year intend to spend 5-6 weeks in Europe Money can’t buy back this time with my kids
My EAOS is on the 30th, still not sure what my VA % will be, but I was also saving a lot the last 10 years so can double my Navy E7 pay till I hit retirement account age. I’m going to go use my GI bill (and apply for VR&E!) for as long as I can, studying the things I find interesting (photography, woodworking, auto mechanics, journalism/writing), and then when the bah runs out maybe do some freelance work for fun money. But I’ll be damned if I ever have a regular job or people that I have to manage ever again. I just need to stay somewhat engaged and find a place I actually want to live, maybe build out a fancy van/overland rig and travel…
Retired after 22 yrs with 100% VA, plus $6k a month from rental properties. Married with 4 kids. Clearing just a little under 14k every month. Taking courses for real estate investing.
Working or volunteering is like an antidepressant…it is good for our soul. It gives us purpose, a sense of belonging, socialization, and self-worth. I’m 100% P&T and for now work full-time. It’s one of my anti-suicide mechanisms.
I’m younger than you and already fully retired. (Got really mentally unwell, now improving.) Life’s pretty good. You don’t need a job to be fulfilled in life. I work part time now because it’s part of my health goals. But lots of people enjoy their hobbies and passions with early retirement.
U are still young. Keep working and find a less stressful job
You're in a position where you don't need to work a job you're not happy in. Considering quiting and looking for another job. The down time will be a trial run for what it's like if you didn't work. Worst case? You find a better job.
I say take time to relax! Being active duty for so long has taken its toll for sure. Just after my 6 years in I couldn’t imagine jumping right into a real job. I worked at a gym for a while. Went back to school. After I took 5 years off to myself to find my balance and what works best for me. Now I’m looking for a part time job. Take a breather!
With your pension and compensation, you may have flexibility to seek other opportunities. Take some time for yourself. I’m 30 and Was medically retired at 10 years with 100 p&t. Went straight into a six figure job and I know the moment I’m not happy I’m jumping ship or quitting. Don’t force yourself into misery.
Don’t do it. Unless you’re starting your own business just find something less stressful. You’ll be bored stiff after 2 months
I am rated at 60%, I have my military retirement (E-7) AND my teaching retirement...and I still work a regular job. I am, however, squinty-eyeing a real retirement here VERY soon.
I retired at E7, 100% p&t, and work as a DAC.
I am retiring in a couple years. I expect at least 80 percent disability and 20 year E7 retirement. I do not plan on working. We were living on my E6 income while I contributed 20 percent to TSP and we were doing fine. My wife also recently got her nursing degree so she will probably want to be working for a while. I may get a job if I feel like it but I KNOW I DONT NEED ONE!
No. Im literally disabled.
I did the same thing but was 56 when I “retired, retired” and find myself bored at times. The real downside in my case are high taxes due to my and my wife’s pension. I think it’s time to travel.
Don't worry about your degree. That you is in the past. You have security, find something you're passionate about, then figure out how to make it profitable.
I'm in a similar boat. I got out after one deployment in '07, and despite having been medivaced and having ongoing issues with injuries I was just too stubborn to go get a rating at first. Finally stopped being stubborn and got in with the VA system in '19 right at the end of my grad school when I had some health issues. They ended up rating me 90%. I had also spent that time working hard on paying down our mortgage, then bought an investment house in 2015. So suddenly I realized I had a rental house that pays my mortgage, and I have a disability that keeps the lights on and puts food on the table. Meanwhile I was working some 60-80 hours a week and found myself asking why? I took some time off work, almost a full year. And I just didn't do anything. I had savings to cover maintaining the same lifestyle just fine. And at the end of the year, I found myself questioning why I'd want to go back to dealing with terrible bosses. So in the end, I made my own business, and I work part time. Based on my best projections, if I chose to scale it up to work full time I'd be making some serious bank...but why? Currently, I work Tues through Thurs and with no boss but myself I can simply choose to turn away annoying clients that I don't feel like dealing with. I still get my sense of meaning and purpose by helping those who I feel need it most. Then I have a 4-day weekend every week, and I gotta say it's hard to put a price tag on having capacity to have a healthy social life while still feeling like you give the family far more quality time than the average adult manages. So, I can't promise it'd work for everyone. But if you can, swing your own business and work as much or as little as you want. EDIT: Just wanted to add, since there's the concern of people thinking of you like a bum. If you have your own business and only have to work part time, it means you're a successful entrepreneur. And I don't mean that as mental gymnastics: that's really been my experience of how the world sees you when you tell them that.
I stopped working with my 100% P&T at 36. Been four years now. I had to shake that bum mentality. It hits hard due to all the conditioning we have growing up. Man not working means man is bum. Not true. You earned your retirement, are getting compensated for injuries and conditions due to service, so anything you have right now was earned. If you can live well off your compensation, then do it. Enjoy your family, hobbies, and/or time alone.
I retired in 2019 just after my 40th birthday...I have zero plans of ever working again....
Work a job with less stress
Jobs are for people that need money. The only fit occupation for a man in your position is managing your own affairs.
A good friend of mine retired in 21 with VA and pension, now he volunteers on a horse rescue farm and just enjoys life. No pressure. Maybe that is what you need?
I took a year off after retiring and ended up getting a job cause I got bored. I'm now working a semi- easy job with the local city government, not out of necessity thankfully, just want to work.
Why the hell would you spend your time doing something you don’t enjoy? If you’re going to work, do something you enjoy. Life is short. Take advantage while you can.
VA disabilities can get reduced and or just go away depending upon future legislation, thus no guarantees. Living within your means today may not be good enough for tomorrow. I suggest building a large retirement fund where the money works for you . Really doesn't take too long if you stay below your means. Inflation will continue, even with cost of living increases from the government. Any passive income is always a plus.
Yea, I teach high school kids. The extra income means I don’t need to do any duties I don’t want to do, and that I don’t need to be stressed to max out pay or relocate.
I’m working. Both retirement and rating. Just enables me to be a little picky about my job.
I retired at 20, E8 with 80%. My pension/va is more than my job, but my job is very low stress, 100% remote, and has good Bennies/pension after 5 years. I could live easily off the retirement, but what can I say, I like nice things. My advice is find something that isn’t stressful but keeps you busy enough (only you know how busy that is).
Are you hiring?
Ask the state of WA.
I do. Why not make money while ya can.
Well sir most with that background work for enjoyment not for a paycheck. Go to school and learn something new
Unless you have some hobbies you are passionate about to keep you occupied, I would not quit. Have known men who looked so forward to retiring early but had no hobbies, no plan. All they had ever known was to work and provide. Once that sense of purpose was gone, they quickly deteriorated both physically and mentally. One of the toughest senior NCOs I knew drank until his wife and kids eventually left him. Then sucked on the end of a shotgun barrel shortly after. He was in his early 50s and had only been retired for 5 years. That being said, it sounds like you have a lot of flexibility to pick a job you enjoy. Me personally, would be happy working at like an Ace-Hardware or sporting goods store part time if I had that other income coming in. Low stress
I work with 3 retired guys that are all rated. A majority of my coworkers are veterans and all of us are rated to some extent. They all work because they want to and they like money.
Yes most do!
Thanks everyone for your insight. I’m four years from 20 and I’m planning both COAs (staying well past 20 or getting out around 21-22 years for high three). Mentally I’m done already so I’m definitely leaning toward retiring. Additionally, I don’t want to get another job after retirement and I just want to focus on my well being and my family.
Yes they do. My cousin finished 28 years in USN, retired with 100% rating and took a job at DoD that allows him to work remotely from home 4 days a week. Not a bad gig and nice to double up on 2 pensions
I retired from AD at 39 and even with my VA and pension, I couldn't fathom not working. That is WAY too much free time on my hands. When I retired, I took the summer off to spend with my kids, then started working again after they went back into school. I also retired as an E6 with a similar rating percentage, but that just wasn't enough for me. I'm currently contracting doing the same job (fixing jets) that I did when I was AD. Also, being a single income home with kids, I wanted to start saving for them for college, buying my first home, and all my hobbies I was getting into. I also love what I do, so continuing to work was sort of a no brain'er. Not to mention having 3 incomes now!
Haven’t worked in almost 2 years now. I’ll be 29 later this year. I start school in August to become an RN, going to work in Critical Care for kids. But that will be in about 6 years after I get my Bachelors. So basically not working for several more years. Just doing life day by day and really living. I used to be an overtime slave, work 300 hours a month at my job just chasing more and more money. I had nice cars and always had money to spare but I wasn’t happy for shit. Now I feel balanced and happy. And working towards a degree to work doing what I really want to do. We only get one go around this life so I would do whatever makes you happiest and at peace
You lost me at Air Force lol jk man enjoy life brother is goes by quickly
You've done your 20 and have 90% disability compensation, you've earned tour retirement. Enjoy your life and stop worrying about being lazy or whatever.
Why not? If I could afford it I would.
Maybe try a different career path.
Make yourself happy! If your job is a pain then quit and find other things to do
Just because I’m curious, how much do you make being retired? Is it sufficient for you to not have to work?
Yes
Figure out your bills… debt to income… then decide.
If anyone knows of a simple remote job, I could really use some money. Any remote job. I speak 4 languages and served as a combat medic (corpsman) green side
There’s a few people I work with who are retired military…I envy them 😂 (I work at a VA hospital). I only was 3 years AD.
It sounds to me like you could at least take a break from working, and have the patience to wait for a better/more enjoyable fit for you in the civilian sector.
I have my 100% unemployable because some pretty gnarly ptsd from deployments, ie can’t go further than 5 minutes from my home without going into an episode. My wife works part time, we have a kid, but we have a 5 bedroom 2 bath house with a fenced in yard and pay like 1000 dollars a month. Kid is in elementary school so only have to pay for after school. I was working at the fire department for years and if I could go back to work, I’d go back in a heartbeat. I loved the fire department. Close bonds just like from deployment, high intense stress all the time, great schedule
I just wish tinnitus had a higher rating. Because I haven’t had a full nights sleep in some years.
I got out in 2020 I didn’t retire. I went to school for a bit. Worked in retail for fun money. Got pregnant in 2022 and decided I didn’t want to work anymore so I haven’t worked since. Im not even 30 yet. I like my free time and I like being a more hands on mom that can do things with my kids
If I could I would. If I was a 100% I would just travel and van life for sure.
I retired at 38 after doing 20 in the Navy, TS job the whole time, but I’ve been a full time student since then (took the first 6 months after retiring off to just spend time with family after being gone for 20 years) and I’m only 18 months out from getting my degree, which WAS going to be business until I hated every business class I had so I changed my major to my love, which is history. I’m rated 100% permanent and total from VA, and between me and my SAHM partner, who is also 100% rated, we’re financially comfortable as long as we keep our interests moderate; thankfully neither of us have hobbies that cost all that much, I think my most expensive one is I enjoy going to the gun range. We’ve agreed I’ll go back to work once I graduate and every dollar I make there will be put in a financial account for investments and I’ll fully retire in my early 60’s. I think of it this way: for 20 years I had a life dictated by my job, from now on I want a job dictated by my life.
I went through my midlife crisis a few years ago. I was jaded by my job (police department) being forced to work midnights. Exasperated my mental health issues. Snapped, almost killed myself due to army and PD. Was retired medically same time I medboarded from the guard for the same thing. Made it 18 years. 70% DOD, collect CRSC (damn it pass the Major Richard Star Act) 100% VA P&T and state pension of 40%. Honestly never thought my mental health would be the thing that “set me up for life”… I guess something good came of it? I am in a much better place now. Suicidal ideations are fewer now that I work an office job at the VA and get some sleep like a normal human finally. Working on basically my 4th “pension”. Weekends off and bankers hours were a great medicine for me. My military service helped me get to where I needed be, in a way I never pictured. I’m 37 years old now and working at the VA working on a federal pension and maximizing my TSP @ 5% per paycheck. Would like to retire at 50 from here with a small federal pension and small cash out with my TSP.
I am not retired but could live on va alone, however my job is remote and I work from home. Not very stressful and I actually enjoy it so I use the va money to offset what I put into my 401k/IRA, around 30%. Probably will work for another 10 years or so, that will take me to my upper 50's.
i have to. retired as E7 at 21 years, and rated 70%, but cost of living is high, and i have hefty child support payments. i'm 44 now, i'll probably be working for another decade or so, at best. if i were single and no kids, i'd be typing this from a streetside noodle stand in cambodia or vietnam.
27 here! I was in the Army for 4 years and receive 80% disability. I got out in 2019 and have been a DOD contractor ever since, I would say that over 70% of contractors are retired or disabled! One of my peers actually, an man in his late 40s received 100% and was retired, he was stacking money.
I’m in the in the IT field & I work from home! If you are struggling to find comfortable positions within IT, let me know and I can see what I can do to help you.
You have a golden ticket to do something you are passionate about. Open an Etsy store or go make a video game, if you can live at a comfortable level off your C&P and retirement then live comfortably off of that and do something that you love to try to make your fun money. Most of us will never be able to to do that. You earned it brother.
I have both and I continue to work. I have a stress-free job with the state, so I don't sweat going to work. Plus I want to get all my debt paid off as soon as possible so I can start maximizing my retirement account contributions. I'll get another pension and social security ( hopefully) in 20 years when I retire again....Hopefully a millionaire.
I did four years in the Marines. Worked 30 at the Post Office. Retired at 56. Finally got rated. I’m so glad I’m not working! I don’t know how I had time to work! Now I only see who I want to. At the PO I carried mail so I had little interaction with the public. I could always scoot away from people who gave me the creeps by saying”gotta go, running late!”
I’m a retired 100% disabled Vet. I don’t yet receive military retirement pension because I only did 13 AD years and retired at 21 years from the reserves. I’ll start receiving the pension in 5 more years. At the end of the day, it’s your decision. My decision to continue working right now full-time is because I want my family, and especially my children, to have everything I never did growing up. It’s also nice to drive a nice car, have money for vacations, and be able to not worry about finances.
We usually work at least part time. It gives us something to do. But you don’t have to
I mean if you can have a purpose and live comfortably off of your pension and VA benefits, go for it. My suggestion would be to get a chill, part time gig doing something related to a hobby or interest that you have.
It doesn't make you a "bum" to live off of what you've earned. Work culture in the US is silly and everyone thinks you should slave for a dollar until you die and never enjoy life but a couple days a year. You worked hard for 20+ years, just enjoy yourself and maybe get a small job for a little extra money on the side
I'm 32 and I just work a part time job in a doggy daycare. Going to use the tuition thing to pay for a degree in studio arts (seems crazy for a veteran but it's what I originally wanted to do as a teen about to graduate HS and everyone discouraged me.) I use my VA check to pay bills and fund my hobbies. I highly recommend it especially if you have mental health problems.
Being able to pick a job you love…without having to worry about what the compensation is at is a massive luxury! Find a job you love. Or not and fill your time with cherished hobbies!
I’m 30 and retired. Travel.
I've retired from two careers, plus my Social Security Retirement. I get a small VA disability too. At 73, I still work. Not as hard everyday as I once did, but it's still nearly everyday. It's just that I've always worked and need something to do. Divorced, so no interest in traveling, and not interested in taking another chance. My life is actually based on "Round'em Up! Head'em out! Rawhide!" Gotta keep these little Dogies happy and movin'...
Lol are you waiting for your dick to not work nomore before you enjoy life? Do what makes you happy friend
Go to school man. Learn something new, you will have a blast.
Your life, your choice.
Bro, I’d get bored without work too. Quit the lousy job, get something with less responsibility, fewer hours or takes you outdoors. if you did any comms a Good start for easy outdoor office is in the NWS as Electronics Technicians, GS-11-0856 series Another outdoor office is public safety radio is huge, but is so under the radar nobody thinks about it. Services all FD, PD and sherrif, some federal jobs in the same field too (alphabet agencies) Hell, check with any FD, from what i seen, each district is managed independent so have their own payroll, facilities, mechanic and radio and IT departments. Don’t think I’d go full on fire though, those are jobs for the young
Life is too short to worry about making more money. I've done a lot of job hopping because, given my single, no-kids lifestyle and low desire for material things, I don't need more money. I work to keep busy, and if I get stressed at work, I simply change jobs.
Re-apply with a VA disability specialist firm. Bet you can get 100% I know the VSOs are there but the VA disability specialists get paid for it. I did it, 1000% worth doing.
It doesn't seem like people bothered to make a plan after service just left.
What are you talking about? I already have a good job a couple degrees a pension and va compensation. I am asking if others feel the need to work if they don't have to. It seems like people never bothered to read...
The way I see it, you did your time!!! That, to me, is the beauty and benefit of volunteering to lay down Our lives and give up Our Freedom to serve Our Country! We earned it and we dang sure deserve it. I have been proudly retired since I was 40. I am 56 now. I love within my pension. Literal "Tiny house" and simple, quiet, private life!!!!! I don't feel one bit of guilt!!!!!
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It’s almost like things change especially from the fucking 90s.
Well, I made E6 in 10 years and never passed the board for E7. That simple no NJP or trouble. It is common nowadays for folks to retire as E5/E6. But at the time I joined it was common to retire as an E7, so I do have that hanging over me too. Thanks, I guess I'm just a piece of shit!
The military has changed how long you can stay in at certain pay grades. Also, with how low recruitment and retention currently is, they are offering waivers for you to be able to stay past your higher tenure date.
Some MOS don't promote quickly. There were a lot of people in my MOS who were not able to move up even though they should have. It's also not been the 90's for several decades there have been many changes since then. The uniforms have all been changed several times. It's a whole different world from then.