National Guardsmen and reservists who retire before age 60 would be eligible for low-cost military health care plans under a bill being introduced Thursday by a bipartisan pair of senators, potentially saving those retirees thousands of dollars per year.
The bill, from Sens. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., would allow retired reserve personnel to sign up for some Tricare plans as soon as they begin receiving retirement pay, rather than having to wait until they’re 60 years old, as is the case now.
“Our nation’s retired Guardsmen and reservists should have access to all the healthcare options offered by the Tricare system,” Vance said in a statement to Military.com. “With this legislation, we have an opportunity to guarantee that these patriotic men and women receive the high-quality, affordable care they deserve. It’s the least we can do in recognition of their service to our country.”
Under a law passed in 2008, members of reserve components who are called up to active duty are allowed to retire with retirement pay as early as age 50. The exact age they can retire depends on how long they served on active duty, with three months knocked off the typical retirement age of 60 years old for every 90 days served.
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Guardsmen and reservists who retire early are eligible for the Tricare Retired Reserve health…
