US Air Force Withholds Retirement Benefits from Long-Serving Trans Troops

The US Air Force has decided to deny retirement benefits to long-serving transgender and non-binary service members, as reported in a leaked memo. Those with between 15 and 18 years of military service will be told to either voluntarily leave or face forced discharge without the retirement benefits typically granted to long-serving personnel. This decision follows a January executive order from former US President Donald Trump aimed at removing transgender individuals from military service.

According to the memo reviewed by Reuters, Brian Scarlett, the Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, stated that an exception to the Air Force’s early retirement policy regarding gender dysphoria would not apply to this group of service members. Instead, they will be offered a lump-sum separation payment—generally reserved for junior personnel—or face involuntary discharge, which may result in a dishonourable discharge and the loss of additional veteran benefits.

Previously, approximately a dozen transgender service members had been informed in May that they could request early retirement. This approval has now been rescinded, with the Air Force claiming these approvals were “premature.” A spokesperson for the Air Force confirmed that while service members with 15-18 years of honorable service could apply for a policy exception, none were granted. The spokesperson noted, “In lieu of [the memo], members are eligible for voluntary separation, with eligibility for voluntary separation pay at twice the amount of involuntary separation pay.” Notably, troops with 18-20 years of service still qualify for early retirement, with standard military retirement occurring after 20 years.

Human Rights Campaign Responds

The decision has drawn significant criticism. Jay Brown, Chief of Staff at the Human Rights Campaign, called the action “indefensible.” He stated that the Trump administration is “stripping [trans troops] of the retirement benefits they’ve earned after years of honorable service.” Brown emphasized that the decision is not rooted in military readiness but is instead “cruelty for cruelty’s sake.”

Active-duty personnel were informed in a memo from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that they have until June 6, 2023, to voluntarily separate from service or face forced discharge. Reserve and National Guard members have until July 7, 2023, to make similar decisions.

Court filings from March indicate the Trump administration is grappling to substantiate its claims that transgender individuals should be disqualified from military service on the grounds of “honesty, humility, and integrity.” Government lawyers have argued that the financial implications of gender-affirming care impose a burden on the military, which has cost the Pentagon approximately $52 million over a decade. In stark contrast, the Pentagon’s budget for the year 2026 is projected to be at least $961.6 billion.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender service members within the US military and raises questions about the policies that affect their rights and benefits.