Which retirement system is applicable to members entering service between 1 Aug 1986 and 31 Dec 2017?

The High-3 Retirement Plan is the correct choice for members entering service between August 1, 1986, and December 31, 2017. This system calculates retirement pay based on the average of the highest three years of basic pay received. It is designed to benefit service members who have a longer tenure in the military, offering a retirement benefit that is tied to the individual’s top earnings over a specified period, which often occurs towards the end of their careers.

This period defined for the High-3 Retirement Plan aligns with the eligibility requirements prior to the implementation of the Blended Retirement System, which began on January 1, 2018. Members who entered service before this date may be eligible for the High-3 system based on their service length and pay history, allowing them to retire at a rate that reflects their peak earnings efficiently.

The Traditional Retirement Plan is not applicable to this specific time frame, as it generally encompasses older service members or those under different conditions established before the High-3 plan took effect. The Blended Retirement System was introduced after the time frame specified in the question, making it irrelevant for members who served between the specified dates, as they would not fall under its provisions. Thus, the High-3 Retirement