The Army has ended the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) program. Service members eligible for TERA must have submitted a request through their chain of command by January 15, 2018 for early retirement consideration. The authority to approve TERA was terminated on February 28, 2018.

The authority to utilize TERA until December 31, 2025 is for force-shaping of active military forces. So while the use of TERA is still authorized, the conditions for its use are not applicable at the present time.

The FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Public Law 112-81, enacted 31 December 2011, authorized the military services to offer early retirement to Service members who have completed at least 15 years of active service. This is a discretionary authority and not an entitlement. The Army has elected to use this limited program as part of a comprehensive force management strategy to shape the force. It does not apply to Service members of the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

TERA does not apply to Service members who are already retired.

Army Directive 2107-38 (Termination of Temporary Early Retirement Authority):
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ARN6976_AD2017-38_Web_Final.pdf

U.S. Public Law 112-81, Section 504, FY 2012 NDAA, 31 DEC 2011:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-112publ81/html/PLAW-112publ81.htm

DoD Instruction 1332.46: 
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133246p.pdf?ver=2018-12-21-122012-280

Access the MyArmyBenefits calculator to calculate your retirement pay:
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/benefit-calculators/retirement

For more detailed information on retirement pay, please visit Army Retirement Services Office (RSO) at:
https://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/rso

Army Human Resources Command web site:
https://www.hrc.army.mil

Defense Finance and Accounting Service site at:
https://www.dfas.mil

U.S. Army Article:
https://www.army.mil/article/198580/as_early_retirement_program_ends_soldiers_have_until_jan_15_to_apply

2012-2025 Temporary Early Retirement Authority:
https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/plan/retirement-types/2012-18tera/

Extension of Accounting Policy Guidance for Implementing Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) Procedures:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/tera/Extension_of%20TERA_Policy_Guidance-FY2026_Signed_25un19.pdf

FY 2024 Military Personnel Retired Pay Tables for the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) Program:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/tera/FY2024-TERA_Rates.pdf