10 U.S.C. § 1406 (ARMED FORCES)
§ 1406. Retired pay base for members who first became members before September 8, 1980: final basic pay
(a) Use of Retired Pay Base in Computing Retired Pay.—
(1) General rule.—
The retired pay or retainer pay of any person entitled to that pay who first became a member of a uniformed service before September 8, 1980, is computed using the retired pay base or retainer pay base determined under this section.
(2) Exception for recomputation.—
Recomputation of retired or retainer pay to reflect later active duty is provided for under section 1402 of this title without reference to a retired pay base or retainer pay base.
(b) Retirement Under Subtitle A or E.—
(1) Disability, warrant officer, and dopma retirement.—
In the case of a person whose retired pay is computed under this subtitle, the retired pay base is determined in accordance with the following table.
For a member entitled to
retired pay under section:
The retired pay base is:
1 Compute at rates applicable on date of retirement or date when member’s name was placed on temporary disability retired list, as the case may be.
2 Compute at rates applicable on date of retirement.
3 For the purposes of this subsection, determine member’s retired grade as if sections 7342 and 9342 did not apply.
1201
1202
1204
1205
Monthly basic pay 1 of grade to which member is entitled under section 1372 or to which he was entitled on day before retirement or placement on temporary disability retired list, whichever is higher.
580
1263
1293
1305
Monthly basic pay to which member would have been entitled if he had served on active duty in his retired grade on day before retirement, or if the pay of that grade is less than the pay of any warrant grade satisfactorily held by him on active duty, the monthly basic pay of that warrant officer grade.
633
634
635
636
1251
1252
1253
Monthly basic pay 2 of member’s retired grade.3
(2) Non-regular service retirement.—
In the case of a person who is entitled to retired pay under section 12731 of this title, the retired pay base is the monthly basic pay, determined at the rates applicable on the date when retired pay is granted (or, in the case of a person entitled to retired pay by reason of an election under section 12741(a) of this title, at rates applicable on the date the person completes the service required under such section 12741(a)), of the highest grade held satisfactorily by the person at any time in the armed forces. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the highest grade in which a person served satisfactorily as an officer shall be determined in accordance with section 1370a of this title.
(c) Voluntary Retirement for Members of the Army.—
(1) In general.—
In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 7361 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 7362 of this title, the retired pay base is determined in accordance with the following table.
For a member entitled to
retired pay under section:
The retired pay base is:
1 For the purposes of this subsection, determine member’s retired grade as if section 7342 did not apply.
7311
7318
7320
7324
Monthly basic pay of member’s retired grade.1
7314
7317
Monthly basic pay to which member was entitled on day before he retired.
7362
Monthly basic pay of grade to which member is advanced on retired list.
(2) Rate of basic pay to be used.—
The rate of basic pay to be used under paragraph (1) is the rate applicable on the date of the member’s retirement.
(d) Retirement for Members of the Navy and Marine Corps.—
In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 8333 of this title, who is advanced on the retired list under section 8262 or 8334 of this title, or who is entitled to retainer pay under section 8330 of this title, the retired pay base or retainer pay base is determined in accordance with the following table.
For a member entitled to
retired or retainer pay under section:
The retired pay base or
retainer pay base is:
1 If the rate specified is less than the pay of any warrant officer grade satisfactorily held by the member on active duty, use the monthly basic pay of that warrant officer grade.
8323
8325(a)
8372
Basic pay of the grade in which the member retired.1
8325(b)
Basic pay of the grade the officer would hold if he had not received an appointment described in section 8325(b).
8326
Basic pay of the pay grade in which the member was serving on the day before retirement.
8330
Basic pay that the member received at the time of transfer to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps Reserve.
8262
Basic pay of the grade to which the member is advanced under section 8262.
8334
Basic pay of the grade to which the member is advanced under section 8334.
(e) Voluntary Retirement for Members of the Air Force and Space Force.—
(1) In general.—
In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 9361 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 9362 of this title, the retired pay base is determined in accordance with the following table.
For a member entitled to
retired pay under section:
The retired pay base is:
1 For the purposes of this subsection, determine member’s retired grade as if section 9342 did not apply.
9311
9318
9320
9324
Monthly basic pay of member’s retired grade.1
9314
9317
Monthly basic pay to which member was entitled on day before he retired.
9362
Monthly basic pay of grade to which member is advanced on retired list.
(2) Rate of basic pay to be used.—
The rate of basic pay to be used under paragraph (1) is the rate applicable on the date of the member’s retirement.
(f) Coast Guard.—
In the case of a member who is retired under any section of title 14, the member’s retired pay is computed under section 423(a) 1 of title 14 in the manner provided in that section.
(g) Commissioned Corps of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
In the case of an officer whose retired pay is computed under section 245 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3045), the retired pay base is the basic pay of the rank with which the officer retired.
(h) Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service.—
In the case of an officer who is retired under section 210(g) or 211(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 211(g), 212(a)), the retired pay base is determined as follows:
(1) Mandatory retirement.—
If the officer is retired under section 210(g) of such Act, the retired pay base is the basic pay of the permanent grade held by the officer at the time of retirement.
(2) Voluntary retirement.—
If the officer is retired under section 211(a) of such Act, the retired pay base is the basic pay of the highest grade held by the officer and in which, in the case of a temporary promotion to such grade, the officer has performed active duty for not less than six months.
(i) Special Rule for Former Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the JCS, Chiefs of Service, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Commanders of Combatant Commands, and Senior Enlisted Members.—
(1) In general.—
For the purposes of subsections (b) through (e), in determining the rate of basic pay to apply in the determination of the retired pay base of a member who has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as a Chief of Service, as Chief of the National Guard Bureau, as a commander of a unified or specified combatant command (as defined in section 161(c) of this title), or as the senior enlisted member of an armed force or the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the highest rate of basic pay applicable to the member while serving in that position shall be used, if that rate is higher than the rate otherwise authorized by this section.
(2) Exception for members reduced in grade or who do not serve satisfactorily.—
Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of a member who, while or after serving in a position specified in that paragraph and by reason of conduct occurring after October 16, 1998—
(A) in the case of an enlisted member, is reduced in grade as the result of a court-martial sentence, nonjudicial punishment, or other administrative process; or
(B) in the case an officer, is not certified by the Secretary of Defense under section 1370(c) 1 of this title as having served on active duty satisfactorily in the grade of general or admiral, as the case may be, while serving in that position.
(3) Definitions.—
In this subsection:
(A) The term “Chief of Service” means any of the following:
(i) Chief of Staff of the Army.
(ii) Chief of Naval Operations.
(iii) Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
(iv) Commandant of the Marine Corps.
(v) Chief of Space Operations.
(vi) Commandant of the Coast Guard.
(B) The term “senior enlisted member” means any of the following:
(i) Sergeant Major of the Army.
(ii) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
(iii) Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
(iv) Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
(v) Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.
(vi) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.
(Added Pub. L. 99–348, title I, § 104(b), July 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 686; amended Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title V, § 512(d)(2), title XIII, § 1314(b)(6), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1090, 1175; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, § 1233(c), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2057; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title XI, § 1131(7), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1506; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1662(j)(4), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3004; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(23), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1901; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, § 646, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2050; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1066(a)(11), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 107–372, title II, § 272(a), Dec. 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 3094; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 643(a), (b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1517; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1084(d)(9), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 509(d)(1)(B), title VI, § 685(d), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3231, 3325; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 502(d)(2), title X, § 1071(a)(7), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2178, 2398; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VI, § 643(d)(1), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2367; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 603(d), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3398; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 508(b)(1)(A), title IX, § 924(b)(26), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3585, 3824; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 521(g)(1), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1881.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Section 423 of title 14, referred to in subsec. (f), was redesignated section 2504 of title 14 by Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 114(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4223, and references to section 423 of title 14 deemed to refer to such redesignated section, see section 123(b)(1) of Pub. L. 115–282, set out as a References to Sections of Title 14 as Redesignated by Pub. L. 115–282 note preceding section 101 of Title 14, Coast Guard.
Section 1370(c) of this title, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(B), was repealed and new sections 1370 and 1370a were enacted by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 508(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3580. For provisions stating that in determining retired grade of certain commissioned officers of the Armed Forces who retire after Jan. 1, 2021, any reference to section 1370 of title 10 in such determination with respect to such officers is deemed to be a reference to section 1370a of title 10, see section 508(c) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note under section 1370 of this title.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 1406 was renumbered section 12738 of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2024—Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(v). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force” for “The senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force”.
2021—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, § 508(b)(1)(A), substituted “section 1370a” for “section 1370(d)”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(26)(A), inserted “and Space Force” after “Air Force” in heading.
Subsec. (i)(3)(A)(v), (vi). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(26)(B)(i), added cl. (v) and redesignated former cl. (v) as (vi).
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(v), (vi). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(26)(B)(ii), added cl. (v) and redesignated former cl. (v) as (vi).
2018—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “sections 7342 and 9342” for “sections 3962 and 8962” in footnote 3 in table.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 7361 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 7362 of this title” for “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 3991 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 3992 of this title” in introductory provisions, “7311” for “3911”, “7318” for “3918”, “7320” for “3920”, “7324” for “3924”, “7314” for “3914”, “7317” for “3917”, and “7362” for “3992” in column 1 of table, and “section 7342” for “section 3962” in footnote 1 in table.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 8333 of this title, who is advanced on the retired list under section 8262 or 8334 of this title, or who is entitled to retainer pay under section 8330 of this title,” for “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 6333 of this title, who is advanced on the retired list under section 6151 or 6334 of this title, or who is entitled to retainer pay under section 6330 of this title,” in introductory provisions, “8323” for “6323”, “8325(a)” for “6325(a)”, “8372” for “6383”, “8325(b)” for “6325(b)”, “8326” for “6326”, “8330” for “6330”, “8262” for “6151”, and “8334” for “6334” in column 1 of table, and “section 8325(b)” for “section 6325(b)”, “section 8262” for “section 6151”, and “section 8334” for “section 6334” in column 2 of table.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 9361 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 9362 of this title” for “In the case of a member whose retired pay is computed under section 8991 of this title or who is entitled to retired pay computed under section 8992 of this title” in introductory provisions, “9311” for “8911”, “9318” for “8918”, “9320” for “8920”, “9324” for “8924”, “9314” for “8914”, “9317” for “8917”, and “9362” for “8992” in column 1 of table, and “section 9342” for “section 8962” in footnote 1 in table.
2014—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 113–291, § 603(d)(1), inserted “Chief of the National Guard Bureau,” after “Chiefs of Service,” in heading.
Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 113–291, § 603(d)(2), inserted “as Chief of the National Guard Bureau,” after “Chief of Service,” and “or the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Chief of the National Guard Bureau” after “of an armed force”.
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 113–291, § 603(d)(3), struck out cl. (vi) which read as follows: “Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
2009—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–84 inserted “(or, in the case of a person entitled to retired pay by reason of an election under section 12741(a) of this title, at rates applicable on the date the person completes the service required under such section 12741(a))” after “when retired pay is granted”.
2006—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–364, § 502(d)(2), in table inserted “1253” at end of column under heading “For a member entitled to retired pay under section:”.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 509(d)(1)(B), in table inserted “1252” at end of column under heading “For a member entitled to retired pay under section:”.
Subsec. (i)(3)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 109–364, § 1071(a)(7), substituted “to” for “for”.
Pub. L. 109–163, § 685(d), added cl. (vi).
2004—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–375 substituted “section 245” for “section 305” and “Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3045)” for “Officers Act of 2002”.
2003—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 108–136 inserted “Commanders of Combatant Commands,” after “Chiefs of Service,” in heading and “as a commander of a unified or specified combatant command (as defined in section 161(c) of this title),” after “Chief of Service,” in par. (1).
2002—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–372 substituted “section 305 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officers Act of 2002” for “section 16 of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers’ Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853o)”
1999—Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 106–65 substituted “after October 16, 1998” for “on or after the date of the enactment of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999” in introductory provisions.
1998—Subsec. (i)(2), (3). Pub. L. 105–261 added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).
1997—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted “3962 and 8962” for “3962(b) and 8962(b)” in footnote 3 in table.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, § 1073(a)(23)(A), substituted “3962” for “3962(b)” in footnote 1 in table.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 105–85, § 1073(a)(23)(B), substituted “8962” for “8962(b)” in footnote 1 in table.
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–337 substituted “Subtitle A or E” for “Subtitle A” in subsec. heading, designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. (1) heading, in table struck out item for section 1331 which related to monthly basic pay of highest grade held satisfactorily by person at any time in armed forces, renumbered footnotes 3 and 4 as 2 and 3, respectively, and struck out former footnote 2 which provided for computations at rates applicable on date when retired pay is granted, and added par. (2).
1991—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–190 substituted “580” for “564” in table.
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–456 substituted “satisfactorily by person” for “satisfactory by person” in item relating to section 1331 in table.
1987—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–180, § 512(d)(2), inserted “or 6334” after “6151” in text, and inserted item relating to section 6334 at end of table.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–180, § 1314(b)(6), inserted “and Vice Chairmen” after “Chairmen” in heading and inserted “or Vice Chairman” after “Chairman” in par. (1).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VI, § 603(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3398, provided that: “This section [amending this section and sections 210 and 414 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 203 of Title 37, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 205 of Title 37] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 2014], and shall apply with respect to months of service that begin on or after that date.”
heading: Effective Date of 2003 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 643(c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1517, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 24, 2003] and shall apply with respect to officers who first become entitled to retired pay under title 10, United States Code, on or after such date.”
heading: Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 103–337 effective Dec. 1, 1994, except as otherwise provided, see section 1691 of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as an Effective Date note under section 10001 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 102–190 effective Feb. 1, 1992, see section 1132 of Pub. L. 102–190, set out as a note under section 521 of this title.
heading: Transfer of Functions
text: For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
heading: Grade on Transfer to Retired Reserve
text: Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1688, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3025, provided that: “In determining the highest grade held satisfactorily by a person at any time in the Armed Forces for the purposes of paragraph (2) of section 1406(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, the requirement for satisfactory service on the reserve active-status list contained in [former] section 1370(d) of title 10, United States Code, as added by this title, shall apply only to reserve commissioned officers who are promoted to a higher grade as a result of selection for promotion under chapter 36 of that title or under chapter 1405 of that title, as added by this title, or having been found qualified for Federal recognition in a higher grade under chapter 3 of title 32, United States Code, after the effective date of this title [see Effective Date note set out under section 10001 of this title].”
[In determining retired grade of certain commissioned officers of the Armed Forces who retire after Jan. 1, 2021, any reference to section 1370 of title 10 in such determination with respect to such officers deemed to be a reference to section 1370a of title 10, see section 508(c) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note under section 1370 of this title.]