Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[BADFNZ]

I said it a couple months ago and I'll say it again:

Once you separate and go through the VA disability process, you can do damn near the bare minimum and easily end up with 40-50% disability.  That's $1000-$1300 a month, tax free depending on how many parents and kids you have.  The bonus is $35K/yr taxed, which depending on your bracket, will probably come out to roughly $2000 a month.  So handing your balls back to Big Blue for 3/5/8 years will net you roughly $1000 per month over just getting VA disability.  This doesn't even account for the piles of money you'll be making at your major of choosing if you separate. 

Bottom line at bottom:  taking the bonus will be the worst financial decision you'll ever make.  You'd be financially better off buying a boat, airplane, and a 2nd wife.  If you love your job and want to continue to serve, I respect you.  But don't, for one second, think it's a good financial move to take the bonus.

[BroncoEN]

On 12/28/2021 at 12:30 AM, Chida said:

NDAA just signed had this nugget: Reservist pilots to receive flight pay at the same monthly rate as an active duty guy, regardless of duty days, but first the services need to present their concerns to Congress, so who knows when it will actually be implemented.

https://www.ngaus.org/about-ngaus/newsroom/incentive-pay-parity-included-final-ndaa

Anyone know if this is actually happening? 

[Majestik Møøse]

20 hours ago, BADFNZ said:

Bottom line at bottom:  taking the bonus will be the worst financial decision you'll ever make.  You'd be financially better off buying a boat, airplane, and a 2nd wife.  If you love your job and want to continue to serve, I respect you.  But don't, for one second, think it's a good financial move to take the bonus.

It’s not a bad chunk of change for those of us who love our jobs and the people we serve with. Doubly so if you’re a U-2 guy without a Guard option!

(unless you’re cool with flying something lame)

[nsplayr]

On 4/10/2022 at 9:31 PM, BADFNZ said:

Bottom line at bottom:  taking the bonus will be the worst financial decision you'll ever make.  You'd be financially better off buying a boat, airplane, and a 2nd wife.  If you love your job and want to continue to serve, I respect you.  But don't, for one second, think it's a good financial move to take the bonus.

* If you are an active duty current & qualified manned aircraft pilot with the mins & medical to get hired at a major airline and who is unhappy or neutral with their service in uniform

Guard guys, CSOs & RPA where $$$ civ flying is much rarer, and those who just love serving and who are in it to win it until TAFMS retirement, the bonus is a great financial decision…more money to do what you were gonna do anyways! It should be higher but they didn’t put me in charge and I agree that fence sitters should probably just update airline apps if applicable and/or go Guard.

Even the current bonus is a better financial decision by far than a FFF (🛥 🛩 💃) indulgence purchase, although those can be a lot of fun too outside the spreadsheet.

[Standby]

I’m already balls deep into my bonus, but some former squadron members reached out to me recently. One in particular is shooting for a mil retirement, but doesn’t want to sign the big bonus in order to preserve the “FU” option. That got me thinking: for those who want a 20 year mil retirement, is it better to sign a 7-9 yr option…or is it better to sign the minimum and hope to pick up a second bonus after contract expiration?

[ViperStud]

It’s better to go guard, get into an AGR position (fairly easy as a Maj), sign a bonus for the same amount and remain a free agent - if you curtail your orders you only owe money back if you didn’t serve it out. All the benefit, none of the ADSC. 
 

AD bonus is for those who were staying anyway…and complete suckers. 

[HeyWatchThis]

On the reserve side did anyone notice they changed the requirement from 10 YAS to 11 YAS?  Did that happen on the AD side as well?  Did the UPT commitment go from 10 to 11 years?

[Danger41]

On 4/17/2022 at 7:44 PM, Standby said:

I’m already balls deep into my bonus, but some former squadron members reached out to me recently. One in particular is shooting for a mil retirement, but doesn’t want to sign the big bonus in order to preserve the “FU” option. That got me thinking: for those who want a 20 year mil retirement, is it better to sign a 7-9 yr option…or is it better to sign the minimum and hope to pick up a second bonus after contract expiration?

I think if you take a 5 year, you get an extra $100k and $200k extra for the 7-9 but don’t quote me. No extra for the 3 year.

[CaptainMorgan]

I think if you take a 5 year, you get an extra $100k and $200k extra for the 7-9 but don’t quote me. No extra for the 3 year.

It’s not extra, it’s just paid up front with reduced payments each following year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jazzdude]

It’s not extra, it’s just paid up front with reduced payments each following year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Assuming finance and/or DFAS don't mess it up...

I took the 100k upfront (AD 11M) and none of my 3 bonus payments so far have been right.

[pawnman]

32 minutes ago, jazzdude said:

Assuming finance and/or DFAS don't mess it up...

I took the 100k upfront (AD 11M) and none of my 3 bonus payments so far have been right.

Huh. I took the 9-year 12X bonus in 2018 and everything has paid out like clockwork.  $112,500 up front and $12500 every year since (more like $10k after taxes, but I'm not complaining).

[Newb]

I guess we aren't in a shortage after all? I wonder what the FY22 take rates are if the original formula was still being applied. 

https://starsdemog.a1vdc.us.af.mil/Avb/avb.html

 

Edited August 1, 2022 by Newb

[di1630]

Would be horrid but for those of you who didn’t know, they don’t count a non-taker as:

-Anyone who separated in ‘22
-Anyone who set a separation date

So basically it no longer accounts for a bunch of people who might have otherwise stayed meaning these stats are complete sh-t.

[BrightNeptune]

10 hours ago, di1630 said:

Would be horrid but for those of you who didn’t know, they don’t count a non-taker as:

-Anyone who separated in ‘22
-Anyone who set a separation date

So basically it no longer accounts for a bunch of people who might have otherwise stayed meaning these stats are complete sh-t.

 

"It's about who gets to count the vote and whether your vote counts at all." - Joe Biden

"It's not the people who vote that count, it's the people who count the votes." - Some other guy

Edited August 2, 2022 by BrightNeptune

[StoleIt]

12 hours ago, di1630 said:

Would be horrid but for those of you who didn’t know, they don’t count a non-taker as:

-Anyone who separated in ‘22
-Anyone who set a separation date

So basically it no longer accounts for a bunch of people who might have otherwise stayed meaning these stats are complete sh-t.

 

I mean, why wouldn't we change the way we count? We did just redefine "recession" too.

"Lies, damn lies, statistics."

[FourFans]

Welcome to my latest installment of DON'T TAKE THE BONUS

[FLEA]

NDAA Draft

SEC. 617. AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Requirement.--The Secretary shall establish and carry 
out within the Department of the Air Force a demonstration program to 
assess and improve retention on active duty in the Air Force of rated 
officers described in subsection (b).
    (b) Rated Officers Described.--Rated officers described in this 
subsection are rated officers serving on active duty in the Air Force, 
excluding rated officers with a reserve appointment in the Air National 
Guard or Air Force Reserve--
            (1) whose continued service on active duty would be in the 
        best interest of the Department of the Air Force, as determined 
        by the Secretary; and
            (2) who have not more than three years and not less than 
        one year remaining on an active duty service obligation under 
        section 653 of title 10, United States Code.
    (c) Written Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--Under the demonstration program required 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary shall offer retention 
        incentives under subsection (d) to a rated officer described in 
        subsection (b) who executes a written agreement to remain on 
        active duty in a regular component of the Air Force for not 
        less than four years after the completion of the active duty 
        service obligation of the officer under section 653 of title 
        10, United States Code.
            (2) Exception.--If the Secretary of the Air Force 
        determines that an assignment previously guaranteed under 
        subsection (d)(1) to a rated officer described in subsection 
        (b) cannot be fulfilled, the agreement of the officer under 
        paragraph (1) to remain on active duty shall expire not later 
        than one year after that determination.
    (d) Retention Incentives.--
            (1) Guarantee of future assignment location.--Under the 
        demonstration program required under subsection (a), the 
        Secretary may offer to a rated officer described in subsection 
        (b) a guarantee of future assignment locations based on the 
        preference of the officer.
            (2) Aviation bonus.--Under the demonstration program 
        required under subsection (a), notwithstanding section 334(c) 
        of title 37, United States Code, the Secretary may pay to a 
        rated officer described in subsection (b) an aviation bonus not 
        to exceed an average annual amount of $50,000 (subject to 
        paragraph (3)(B)).
            (3) Combination of incentives.--The Secretary may offer to 
        a rated officer described in subsection (b) a combination of 
        incentives under paragraphs (1) and (2).
            (4) Variations; limitations.--The Secretary may vary or 
        limit the total number of available contracts and the 
        combination of incentives within such contracts to target 
        certain Air Force specialty codes, ensure required assignments 
        locations are filled, and readiness is not negatively affected. 
        The Secretary shall determine the criteria for such variations 
        or limitations and include such criteria in the annual briefing 
        under subsection (e).
    (e) Annual Briefing.--Not later than December 31, 2023, and 
annually thereafter until the termination of the demonstration program 
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives a briefing describing the use of such demonstration 
program and its effects on the retention on active duty in the Air 
Force of rated officers described in subsection (b).
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Rated officer.--The term ``rated officer'' means an 
        officer specified in section 9253 of title 10, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Air Force.
    (g) Termination.--This section shall terminate on December 31, 
2028.

[Swizzle]

39 minutes ago, FLEA said:

NDAA Draft

SEC. 617. AIR FORCE RATED OFFICER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    (a) ...a demonstration program to 
assess and improve retention
(1) whose continued service on active duty (not less than 4 yrs)
(2) Exception.--If the Secretary of the Air Force determines (BoP) // cannot be fulfilled, the agreement of the officer under shall expire not later than one year after that determination.
    (d) Retention Incentives.--
            (1) Guarantee of future assignment location
            (2) Aviation bonus.--may pay, not to exceed an avg annual $50,000
            (3) Combination of incentives

FTFY...

So 4+ yr contract in exchange for <$50k/yr and/or Base of Pref...with a contract rider that of +1yr even IF THEY CANNOT DELIVER BoP...which AF for enlisted assignments said was less than 50% chance of fill. Now, I know that's enlisted assignments, but it's still AFPC we're talking about. And, the functionals will hate having their hands-tied on PCS flexibility, but they might get manpower in exchange. 

...and the biggest kicker...does the money stack!?!?!? Seems NO (didn't read section 334(c) of title 37, United States Code)

Edited August 5, 2022 by Swizzle

[Guardian]

So what’s it all mean?

[Ryder1587]

2 minutes ago, Guardian said:

So what’s it all mean?

It means none of it will come to fruition and you’ll continued to be under paid and under appreciated.  Make the jump. Grass is much greener. 

[Seriously]

also in the H.R 7900:

 

(c) SPECIAL AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY AND BONUS 10 AUTHORITIES FOR OFFICERS.—Section 334(c)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 

    (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,500’’; and 

    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’. 

 

[DuckHunter]

4 hours ago, Seriously said:

also in the H.R 7900:

 

(c) SPECIAL AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY AND BONUS 10 AUTHORITIES FOR OFFICERS.—Section 334(c)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 

    (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,500’’; and 

    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’. 

 

Very interesting.

[Standby]

12 hours ago, Seriously said:

also in the H.R 7900:

 

(c) SPECIAL AVIATION INCENTIVE PAY AND BONUS 10 AUTHORITIES FOR OFFICERS.—Section 334(c)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— 

    (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$1,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,500’’; and 

    (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$35,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$75,000’’. 

 

Odds that they are going to grandfather us faithful servants into the new $ amount…0.00.

Edit: instead of just sport bitching, I emailed my congressman. I’d encourage other suckers like myself to lobby for a heavier wallet. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Standby

[HeloDude]

13 hours ago, Standby said:

Odds that they are going to grandfather us faithful servants into the new $ amount…0.00.

Edit: instead of just sport bitching, I emailed my congressman. I’d encourage other suckers like myself to lobby for a heavier wallet. 

Well, they didn’t do this in the past ($25K to $35K), so yeah, I doubt they would do it this time.

Your greatest voice is hitting the separate/retirement button…everything else is as effective as “hope and change”.

Edited August 15, 2022 by HeloDude

[pawnman]

I'm not interested in signing any more ADSCs, no matter how much money they offer...but am I reading that first line correctly thar the top end monthly flight pay is increasing to $1500?