Retirement age

[OldDocwf]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have been to different military websites and am getting conflicting information on the mandatory (?) retirement age for active duty doctors. Some say 55 and others say 60. What happens if you want to keep serving after this age, do they allow you to stay on?

 

[MoosePilot]

I have been to different military websites and am getting conflicting information on the mandatory (?) retirement age for active duty doctors. Some say 55 and others say 60. What happens if you want to keep serving after this age, do they allow you to stay on?

I think a lot of times you'd run into thirty years of service first. What's the situation, just out of curiousity?

What a contrast to most of the end of career statements here!

 

[OldDocwf]

I think a lot of times you'd run into thirty years of service first. What's the situation, just out of curiousity?

What a contrast to most of the end of career statements here!

You had to ask. I am a longtime lurker on behalf of my husband who is 36 and 2 years away from sitting his MCATS. We haven't posted before because we were afraid of having to defend our somewhat tenuous position!
We are aware that this is kind of late in the game to a. join the military and b. go to med school. But we gave up our pathetic menial grocery store jobs so that he could fulfill his dream, despite the advice of his college advisors who wanted him to become a nurses aide because he is so old. We were really psyched about joining the Air Force because their website said that they would accept doctors up to 47yrs as new recruits under certain circumstances. Since my husband is in the middle of finals, he asked me to do some research before he went off to the recruiter. So I came to these boards and have been a bit depressed at some of the sad stories; I figure unhappy is one thing, but unhappy and underpaid is another thing entirely. My husband really wanted to go to USUHS but not because he wanted them to pay for school, we really wanted to do the whole career thing and 20 years sounded like a lot of fun. Serving the troops, serving our country (we are both immigrants and naturalised citizens), being a part of something bigger than ourselves, a sense of community(I'm sure that some of you are rolling on the floor). Especially since 9/11 when we found ourselves different from our friends, we were adopting soldiers in Iraq and our ex-friends looked like smelly hippies from the 60's. My dad was in the RAF (a doctor) for 39 years and it was truly a great life for all of us, a good place to raise a family. I wonder if it is still like this, I would be a good military wife, but I wonder if there is such a thing any more. I also don't want my husband to work in an understaffed clinic as a GMO if he would rather be doing neurology like some of the other doctors posting on these boards. Now we find that all of this may be moot because he may be too old for the military by the time he is ready for med school. We hear that you have to be able to put in 20 years (potentially) when you join up and if he joins when he is 39 or 40 and the retirement is 55 rather than 60, then we are out of luck. He said tonight that if this happens perhaps the military will let him work for them on the side for free if he gets to be a great doctor, just for a few weeks a year anyway. As civilians we feel as though we are sitting on the sidelines while other people do all the work, we want to do more.This is an amazing country and we are glad to be here. Thanks for asking and I'm sorry about the rant.

 

[MoosePilot]

You had to ask. I am a longtime lurker on behalf of my husband who is 36 and 2 years away from sitting his MCATS. We haven't posted before because we were afraid of having to defend our somewhat tenuous position!
We are aware that this is kind of late in the game to a. join the military and b. go to med school. But we gave up our pathetic menial grocery store jobs so that he could fulfill his dream, despite the advice of his college advisors who wanted him to become a nurses aide because he is so old. We were really psyched about joining the Air Force because their website said that they would accept doctors up to 47yrs as new recruits under certain circumstances. Since my husband is in the middle of finals, he asked me to do some research before he went off to the recruiter. So I came to these boards and have been a bit depressed at some of the sad stories; I figure unhappy is one thing, but unhappy and underpaid is another thing entirely. My husband really wanted to go to USUHS but not because he wanted them to pay for school, we really wanted to do the whole career thing and 20 years sounded like a lot of fun. Serving the troops, serving our country (we are both immigrants and naturalised citizens), being a part of something bigger than ourselves, a sense of community(I'm sure that some of you are rolling on the floor). Especially since 9/11 when we found ourselves different from our friends, we were adopting soldiers in Iraq and our ex-friends looked like smelly hippies from the 60's. My dad was in the RAF (a doctor) for 39 years and it was truly a great life for all of us, a good place to raise a family. I wonder if it is still like this, I would be a good military wife, but I wonder if there is such a thing any more. I also don't want my husband to work in an understaffed clinic as a GMO if he would rather be doing neurology like some of the other doctors posting on these boards. Now we find that all of this may be moot because he may be too old for the military by the time he is ready for med school. We hear that you have to be able to put in 20 years (potentially) when you join up and if he joins when he is 39 or 40 and the retirement is 55 rather than 60, then we are out of luck. He said tonight that if this happens perhaps the military will let him work for them on the side for free if he gets to be a great doctor, just for a few weeks a year anyway. As civilians we feel as though we are sitting on the sidelines while other people do all the work, we want to do more.This is an amazing country and we are glad to be here. Thanks for asking and I'm sorry about the rant.

I didn't feel it was a rant. I think you posted some great sentiments and I'm proud that you'd want to join the same military I'm in.

These guys are posting counter examples to some of the hype that recruiters put out there. They're trying to be sure nobody joins uninformed. Do your research and if the military is a possibility, then think about what you've read here, what the benefits actually are, what you want out of your life, and make the right decision for you.

I've griped a lot about the military as a pilot, because I was deployed away from my wife during a tough time. Looking back, though, it was the best thing that happened to us. While I would rather have been with her constantly, the military not only paid for two transplant surgeries and continuing after care, but also let me be with her during many hospitalizations. Not every job will provide that kind of support.

If you don't support the nation through the military, please know that you can stil support it as a civilian doc. Health care access is something everyone needs and I have the utmost respect for any doctor. Good luck!

 

[Zoomer]

Moose said it best. Weigh your options. For some, the military is career broadening, for others, it traps them in a box. Before you sign, you have to review a long term plan for your life that includes the goals you want out of life. Many people rush into decissions and the younger you are, the more likely you are to rush. Sounds like you have given it some thought. Give it a little more and factor in some unforseen problems. Then, make your decission. Best of luck.

 

[Monty Python]

I have been to different military websites and am getting conflicting information on the mandatory (?) retirement age for active duty doctors. Some say 55 and others say 60. What happens if you want to keep serving after this age, do they allow you to stay on?

I can answer this, speaking as both a former personnel officer and as a drilling reservist (anesthetist).

For the "line" officer (ie, combat officers such as pilots, ship drivers, artillery, infantry, etc.) the rules are hard and fast. Assuming you get successfully promoted each time you're eligible (approximately every 5 years), you have to get out at age 60, or 30 years of service as a commissioned officer (whichever happens first). The exception for "line" officers is if you get promoted to general/admiral, when the rules change somewhat and you get to stay in longer.

For medical and nurse officers, the rules are different, again depending on the needs of the service (which always comes first).

1. you're not faced with mandatory retirement if you're passed over (ie, not selected) for promotion after two failures. For line officers, two passovers is the career kiss of death.

2. based on your areas of expertise, medical/nursing officers can apply for age waivers and can remain on active duty past age 60, up to 68 (current law).

3. unfortunately, even medical/nursing officers are faced with mandatory retirement after 30 years of service as a commissioned officer (unless they make general/admiral). This is written in federal law (United States Code) and can only be changed by Congress, not by the military.

Bottom line: medical/nursing officers have all sorts of exemptions, waivers, and other favorable treatment, as compared to line officers, for recruitment, retention, career longevity, and financial assistance with education.

 

[texdrake]

I have been to different military websites and am getting conflicting information on the mandatory (?) retirement age for active duty doctors. Some say 55 and others say 60. What happens if you want to keep serving after this age, do they allow you to stay on?

The above is correct. The short and simple...

You husband who is 36 now, meaning he would get into medical school at age 39. He would have forced retirement at age 60. That's 21 years, but I don't think that the years in school count toward retirement (they don't count toward salary years). So you husband wouldn't be able to reach the retirement threshold of 20 years. My guess is he would be an LTC at 20 years. He would have to talk with the recruiters, there may be ways around that. Still, it would suck to stay in that long and not get retirement pay, he would have to put a good chunk of his pay into investments and retirement accounts.

Personally I think that the military should offer some type of 401K option for physicians. I think some would be more inclined to re-enlist (at least for 3 or 4 years). That and raise the 15K doctor bonus that hasn't changed in 15 years. That should be about 25K now. Oh and while I am at it, many residencies have signing bonuses now. A 5K bonus at the start would be nice for someone haveing to move across the country, find a place to live and be ready to go 2 weeks before most residencies (I have to do that all in 3 weeks and fit in a honeymoon)

 

[OldDocwf]

The above is correct. The short and simple...

You husband who is 36 now, meaning he would get into medical school at age 39. He would have forced retirement at age 60. That's 21 years, but I don't think that the years in school count toward retirement (they don't count toward salary years). So you husband wouldn't be able to reach the retirement threshold of 20 years. My guess is he would be an LTC at 20 years. He would have to talk with the recruiters, there may be ways around that. Still, it would suck to stay in that long and not get retirement pay, he would have to put a good chunk of his pay into investments and retirement accounts.

Personally I think that the military should offer some type of 401K option for physicians. I think some would be more inclined to re-enlist (at least for 3 or 4 years). That and raise the 15K doctor bonus that hasn't changed in 15 years. That should be about 25K now. Oh and while I am at it, many residencies have signing bonuses now. A 5K bonus at the start would be nice for someone haveing to move across the country, find a place to live and be ready to go 2 weeks before most residencies (I have to do that all in 3 weeks and fit in a honeymoon)

Thankyou all for the support and the great information, we are much encouraged. Regarding the last post concerning med school not counting towards his service time, again, we have heard conflicting stories! We had heard that if he attended USUHS and was getting paid, then that would be when active duty started. Obviously the recruiter would have the last word on this and we would have to get it in writing. There is lots to learn before he goes to see the recruiter, he wants to make sure that his time there really counts.
He got his grades back today and made A's in both classes. School starts again next week and he is taking 18 hours, aren't you glad that you are done with all of that!

 

[MoosePilot]

Thankyou all for the support and the great information, we are much encouraged. Regarding the last post concerning med school not counting towards his service time, again, we have heard conflicting stories! We had heard that if he attended USUHS and was getting paid, then that would be when active duty started. Obviously the recruiter would have the last word on this and we would have to get it in writing. There is lots to learn before he goes to see the recruiter, he wants to make sure that his time there really counts.
He got his grades back today and made A's in both classes. School starts again next week and he is taking 18 hours, aren't you glad that you are done with all of that!

The 4 years doesn't count for retirement until you make 20, then it boosts you to 24. I know I've seen it in the AFI and I've seen it in secondary documents, but I don't know where I can send you to see it in writing.