Be clear, it goes until age 65 because at that point you'll fall under Medicare. I've heard that the reserve retirement medical benefits really help out with part D (prescriptions) expenses once your on Medicare.
For a part time job? Yeah, not a bad deal. Not many part time jobs (yes I know the obligation has been onerous for many these last 10+ years but it is voluntary) provide a pension of any sort for 20 years total service with credit given for a previous full time (active duty) job.
Until congress takes it away or reduces said benefit..
I hope your right. I have 16 years before it really matters to me but I have little faith in this government! The sad part is an earned benefit like TFL will likely be reduced while a handout like Medicaid will continue and probably expand coverage..
I probably wasn't as clear as I could have been, but I'm pretty sure *everyone's* benefits switch to secondary at 65, when Medicaid kicks in. So while I'm certainly not a .mil apologist, I think the military just said "reserve retirement perks start at 60", and big .gov said "at 65, Medicaid becomes your primary health plan". Glad to hear that my family's experience w/TFL are echoed here--it does seem like if you can hang in the for 20, it's worth it...