Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[Royal]

1 hour ago, Majestik Møøse said:

The Instagrams and Pilot Network FB page got awfully quiet in March 2020, now they’re back to scoffing at anyone staying on AD. Short memories.

Which brings us to step 7: Watching the thrice passed over O-4 who's been furloughed twice (and somehow keeps getting a continuation letter) pointing and laughing at the O-3s who just got furloughed that were pointing and laughing at the AGR on the bonus who was pointing at the poor bastard who's on active duty.

[WheelsOff]

Another “interesting” thing to behold is the growing number of retiring O-6s I’m noticing—many of whom for the last 6-9 years have been talking down on the dudes leaving AD early for the airlines—are now quietly appearing out of the woodwork in the many different airline hiring WhatsApp and FB groups with interview dates/CJOs…

 

[Lord Ratner]

12 hours ago, Majestik Møøse said:

The Instagrams and Pilot Network FB page got awfully quiet in March 2020, now they’re back to scoffing at anyone staying on AD. Short memories.

Scoffing is never the right answer, but if you stayed a free agent, you could have been in the November class at AA, with over 2000 pilots to be trained behind you in one year. 

 

Anybody who thinks the airlines will be all boom times is clearly a fool. But anybody who thinks that it will be all bust is also silly. You have to catch the boom times to make up for the bust times, otherwise it's definitely not the right career fit.

[Majestik Møøse]

There’s a whole lot of people out there who evangelize about the life decisions they made, which often seems to be rooted in insecurity about said decisions. The “Bro why would anybody want to be in the Air Force,” guys are almost as bad as the blue Kool Aid drinkers that scoffed at the guys who constantly deployed and got no strats. The most opinionated on both sides just seem to be fishing for reinforcement from the crowd. It never comes across as understanding of a different guy’s perspective, and it certainly isn’t humble.

At the end of your life, the amount of money you have doesn’t really matter as long as your family is safe and secure, just as your personal list of military accomplishments will seem pretty unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

[QAZqaz]

18 hours ago, Majestik Møøse said:

There’s a whole lot of people out there who evangelize about the life decisions they made, which often seems to be rooted in insecurity about said decisions. The “Bro why would anybody want to be in the Air Force,” guys are almost as bad as the blue Kool Aid drinkers that scoffed at the guys who constantly deployed and got no strats. The most opinionated on both sides just seem to be fishing for reinforcement from the crowd. It never comes across as understanding of a different guy’s perspective, and it certainly isn’t humble.

At the end of your life, the amount of money you have doesn’t really matter as long as your family is safe and secure, just as your personal list of military accomplishments will seem pretty unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

This. There comes a point where you gotta ask: How much money do I need? And once you reach that, it is then up to you to honestly decide if it is worth continuing to work. Maybe you got the FU money and like the job--great. Maybe you get the FU money and decide it's not worth it so you have the ability to walk. Personally I've decided I will LIKELY have my FU money when I retire at 20. Even though the pension is small by comparison to raking it in at the airlines, I just don't need huge sums of money at even this point. Part of it was luck and it's a 12 year Bull market (aside from the bloodbath yesterday), but even in a downturn I figure I can manage with my personal risk tolerance.

The value of a pension/medical is heavily discounted here, but the truth is there is extrinsic value beyond monetary value. 

All that said I've never seen the other side WRT airline life and my situation was different than most. I just don't have any interest in trading in time for huge sums of money if I don't have to.

[Guardian]

Pretty awesome. What pursuits are you going to fill your life with QAZqaz?

[1:1:1]

Money may not buy happiness, but financial security is a real thing. Being able to send your kids to any college they get into is a real change in your quality of life. Knowing that your wife won't be impoverished if you don't make 20 years and Lt Col is also a real difference in your life. The air force may not be able to compete dollar for dollar with a lot of jobs, but pretending any money above $100k salary and tricare is unnecessary is asinine and insulting.

 

 

[RASH]

Money may not buy happiness, but financial security is a real thing. Being able to send your kids to any college they get into is a real change in your quality of life. Knowing that your wife won't be impoverished if you don't make 20 years and Lt Col is also a real difference in your life. The air force may not be able to compete dollar for dollar with a lot of jobs, but pretending any money above $100k salary and tricare is unnecessary is asinine and insulting.
 
 

You do you, bro


Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network mobile app

[Guardian]

1:1:1 he didn’t say you should do that. He said for him it’s enough. For you to say it’s insulting of him to say that to you means you didn’t read it and are easily offended even when someone’s not talking to you. Be happy for him. He seems to found happiness. So what if it’s different from yours.

[1:1:1]

2 minutes ago, Guardian said:

1:1:1 he didn’t say you should do that. He said for him it’s enough. For you to say it’s insulting of him to say that to you means you didn’t read it and are easily offended even when someone’s not talking to you. Be happy for him. He seems to found happiness. So what if it’s different from yours.

Never said he insulted me. I've just sat through enough all calls with NAF or MAJCOM commanders who harp on patriotism to automatically roll my eyes when someone implies money is shallow or meaningless. That is what I find insulting.

That being said, if you enjoy your place in the air force, I'm glad you're happy. Continue to do what works for you.

[MCO]

On 1/22/2022 at 9:50 AM, 1:1:1 said:

Never said he insulted me. I've just sat through enough all calls with NAF or MAJCOM commanders who harp on patriotism to automatically roll my eyes when someone implies money is shallow or meaningless. That is what I find insulting.

That being said, if you enjoy your place in the air force, I'm glad you're happy. Continue to do what works for you.

You are putting words in his mouth. He is saying some people like more money. Some people like serving. Some like both. Some prefer one over the other. Some had a different experience and aren’t as jaded. Some got screwed and are super jaded. Do whatever makes you happy. It’s weird that someone that doesn’t care as much about making more money threatens you. All he is saying is don’t judge people for making their own decisions, including taking the opportunity to go get a bunch more money or getting out and living in a 1 room shack in the woods.

[QAZqaz]

On 1/22/2022 at 5:32 PM, Guardian said:

Pretty awesome. What pursuits are you going to fill your life with QAZqaz?

Basically ride my dirtbike as much as possible in the place I want to live, exercise to stay healthy, and be a stay at home husband. No kids. Wife will work for a year or 2 after I retire and then she will spend her time on the small farm we have. Travel (right next to an AMC base) when she wants to. I don't have and never lived an extravagant life and neither has she, and we tend to keep our expenses low mostly because there isn't much we need.

I'm not totally opposed to working in some capacity but really want to keep the time aspect in check, in the event I get bored. For a few years I've been looking into small business opportunities (private lending, owning a business IE storage facility/lawn care/car detail/CRE) but the time commitment is what turns me off, along with the risks. I just don't want to NEED to work when I hit 20 TAFMS.

Shack in the woods is my kinda thing but wife won't tolerate so there's that

We've had to talk about all our expected expenses to try and make this a reality. Bills, property tax, vehicle turnover, bike parts (haha) etc. I think it is totally doable in our case.

Anyway I'll be tracking that "take rate" website someone put up a few pages back to see how 2022 ACP plays out. This year will be interesting for determining retainment. The world doesn't seem to be getting friendlier lol

[Tommy]

A lot of guys who calculate going airlines at 12 years of AD service then reserve retirement at 60 something vs 20 year AD retirement then airlines (or whatever) don’t factor in VA disability pay. Granted not everyone is going to get above a 50% rating, but if you do get a 50% to 100% VA disability rating will bring in $12k to $42K-ish a year tax free on top of your military retirement. Something that i personally didn’t find out until after I decided to go for 20 years after I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. From rough math I can see myself getting a disability rating in the 80s or 90s which will be about $25k a year on top of my military retirement. Just figured Id get the word out as it’s something that would have swayed my decision to stay in even more. And if you some how get 100% disability someday you’ll be bringing in 40k on top of your retirement pay tax free and a lot of states have additional perks, for instance texas waives property taxes on your primary residence. 

Edited February 6, 2022 by Lifer

[BADFNZ]

On 2/6/2022 at 4:28 AM, Lifer said:

A lot of guys who calculate going airlines at 12 years of AD service then reserve retirement at 60 something vs 20 year AD retirement then airlines (or whatever) don’t factor in VA disability pay. Granted not everyone is going to get above a 50% rating, but if you do get a 50% to 100% VA disability rating will bring in $12k to $42K-ish a year tax free on top of your military retirement. Something that i personally didn’t find out until after I decided to go for 20 years after I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. From rough math I can see myself getting a disability rating in the 80s or 90s which will be about $25k a year on top of my military retirement. Just figured Id get the word out as it’s something that would have swayed my decision to stay in even more. And if you some how get 100% disability someday you’ll be bringing in 40k on top of your retirement pay tax free and a lot of states have additional perks, for instance texas waives property taxes on your primary residence. 

Um what?

I separated after my UPT ADSC and am currently collecting $1400/mo (~$17,000/yr) tax free for VA disability, something you can't do while on AD.  So in a sense, I'm collecting almost as much as I would if I would have taken the bonus.  I'm not sure how that would have swayed you even more to stay in AD, because to me that sounds like even more reason to punch.

[SocialD]

10 hours ago, BADFNZ said:

Um what?

I separated after my UPT ADSC and am currently collecting $1400/mo (~$17,000/yr) tax free for VA disability, something you can't do while on AD.  So in a sense, I'm collecting almost as much as I would if I would have taken the bonus.  I'm not sure how that would have swayed you even more to stay in AD, because to me that sounds like even more reason to punch.

 

Glad I wasn't the only one confused but that post.  Even, part-timers who retire from the ANG/AFRES start getting their VA disability payments right away.  

[Danger41]

So here goes a massive thread derail…are you all planning on disability upon separation/retirement? I’m more or less healthy and any issues I’ve got now are from getting older and fatter trying to keep up with my kids and work schedule. I would think that’s 0% disabled?

[Guardian]

There is a difference between 0% disabled and no disability. 0% is still considered a disability rating. Lack of a disability rating is no disability rating. You can get your VA loan charge done away with 0% disability.

[NKAWTG]

55 minutes ago, Danger41 said:

So here goes a massive thread derail…are you all planning on disability upon separation/retirement? I’m more or less healthy and any issues I’ve got now are from getting older and fatter trying to keep up with my kids and work schedule. I would think that’s 0% disabled?

Plan on applying, even if you think it's nothing.  Tore an ACL, separated a shoulder, jacked up my feet from 20 years of running when I really shouldn't.  I know it's the normal wear and tear of getting older, but if you did it while in uniform, you get a rating for it.  The system is confusing, and stuff counts for far more credit than makes sense, but you don't make the rules.

Take the time before separating, bring the medical records to VSO in your area, and have them go through it.  They'll find something.  Do it before you separate, and it'll be months instead of years on the claim being adjudicated.

The 0% rating means it's service connected, and the VA will treat you for it in addition to the VA loan fees being waved. The 0% doesn't negate the injury, that just happens to be the government set rate for it. 

For retirees, 50% is the magic number.  49% and below, your VA disability pay is deducted from your retirement pay.  Very small tax benefit. 50% and above, retirement and VA disability are both payed out.  VA essentially pays my mortgage right now.      

[SocialD]

9 hours ago, Danger41 said:

So here goes a massive thread derail…are you all planning on disability upon separation/retirement? I’m more or less healthy and any issues I’ve got now are from getting older and fatter trying to keep up with my kids and work schedule. I would think that’s 0% disabled?

 

Not planning on anything, but based on recently retired squadron mates it seems there will be something.  After a career of flying fighters, I'm guessing some sort of rating after all the neck and back issues I've had.  

[brabus]

I wish I had done it earlier, but after now paying 2x VA funding fees and realizing much of this standard stuff won't affect FAA Class I...do it ASAP! I could have had this shit done years ago, and have missed out because of my unfounded fear of it screwing over my flying career. Ideally you have a bro flight doc who will go over your "hypothetical" records and give you advice. Neck, back, joints, fucked up finger from when you took a cue ball to the hand playing crud, tinnitus, liver isn't pulling its weight like when you were 25...all service connected. Anything mental health related (PTSD) and sleep related will cause you some level of asspain with the FAA (but not necessarily show stoppers). This all according to my flight doc who's also an AME.

[FLEA]

14 minutes ago, brabus said:

I wish I had done it earlier, but after now paying 2x VA funding fees and realizing much of this standard stuff won't affect FAA Class I...do it ASAP! I could have had this shit done years ago, and have missed out because of my unfounded fear of it screwing over my flying career. Ideally you have a bro flight doc who will go over your "hypothetical" records and give you advice. Neck, back, joints, fucked up finger from when you took a cue ball to the hand playing crud, tinnitus, liver isn't pulling its weight like when you were 25...all service connected. Anything mental health related (PTSD) and sleep related will cause you some level of asspain with the FAA (but not necessarily show stoppers). This all according to my flight doc who's also an AME.

Had someone recommend that if you are a male you are missing a proverbial gold mine if you don't have a full hormone spectrum done before you get out since most males are easily diagnosable with low testosterone by their mid 30's. Anyone have experience with this? 

[Danger41]

58 minutes ago, FLEA said:

most males are easily diagnosable with low testosterone by their mid 30's. Anyone have experience with this? 

No! *cries and eats tub of ice cream*

[Guardian]

For retirees, 50% is the magic number.  49% and below, your VA disability pay is deducted from your retirement pay.  Very small tax benefit. 50% and above, retirement and VA disability are both payed out.  VA essentially pays my mortgage right now.      

Don’t forget. If you get less than 50% and you are divorced, it’s less that the ex-wife can get of your retirement.

[FLEA]

8 minutes ago, Danger41 said:

No! *cries and eats tub of ice cream*

I know but let's face it man.... Most of us don't have Tom Brady genes....

 

The spice......the spice melange. 

[Tommy]

On 2/9/2022 at 5:49 AM, SocialD said:

 

Glad I wasn't the only one confused but that post.  Even, part-timers who retire from the ANG/AFRES start getting their VA disability payments right away.  

You guys made a good point about getting VA disability when you separate early. That wasn’t something I took into consideration when I decided to stay in.

$17k a year is definitely nice. I was just saying that $40k (tax free) on top of a $50k AD retirement with health care at 45 is probably enough for me to retire and I had no idea that was even a possibility  when I decided to stick it out to 20. Just trying to pass what I’ve learned along the way. 

No wrong choices out there. Best of luck to everyone… whatever path you decide.  

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Lifer