Military Special Pay: Involuntary Separation Pay

Military members may be entitled to extra pay, depending on the circumstances. These special pays are subject to income tax, unless earned in a designated combat zone.

Military members who are involuntarily separated from the military may be entitled to involuntary separation pay (severance pay).

To be eligible, a military member must have six or more years of active duty, and less than 20 years.

The two types of Involuntary Separation Pay are Full Pay and Half Pay.

INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FULL PAY

To qualify for full pay, the member must be involuntarily separated, be fully qualified for retention and the service must be characterized as "Honorable." Examples would be separation due to reduction in force, or separation due to exceeding the high year of tenure.

INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION HALF PAY

To qualify for half pay, the member must be involuntarily separated, with service characterized as Honorable or General (under honorable conditions), and the reason for discharge must be under certain categories. Examples would be discharge due to failing fitness/weight standards or involuntary discharge due to parenthood.