US Air Force Denies Retirement Benefits to Long-Serving Trans Troops

The US Air Force has come under fire for a decision to deny retirement benefits to long-serving transgender service members, a move described as “indefensible” by advocates. A leaked memo indicates that trans and non-binary troops with between 15 and 18 years of military service will be forced to either resign or face discharge without the retirement benefits typically granted to those with lengthy service. This change follows a January executive order from former President Donald Trump aimed at the removal of transgender individuals from the military.

According to the memo, authored by Brian Scarlett, the assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, an exception to the Air Force’s early retirement policy regarding gender dysphoria will not apply to a specific group of trans troops. Instead, these service members will have to choose between a lump-sum separation payment, typically reserved for junior personnel, or facing a forced discharge. Such a discharge could lead to a dishonorable status, stripping them of future veteran benefits.

Previously, approximately a dozen trans service members had been informed in May that they could request early retirement. However, this approval has now been rescinded, with the Air Force stating that these approvals were made “prematurely.” A spokesperson for the Air Force confirmed that while service members with 15 to 18 years of honorable service could apply for policy exceptions, none were granted. Those affected will now be eligible for voluntary separation, with pay provisions offering twice the amount of involuntary separation pay.

Advocacy and Criticism

The decision has sparked outrage among advocacy groups. Jay Brown, chief of staff for the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the move, asserting that the Trump administration is unjustly “stripping trans troops of the retirement benefits they’ve earned after years of honorable service.” In a statement to PinkNews, Brown characterized the decision as “cruelty for cruelty’s sake,” emphasizing that it has no basis in military readiness.

Active-duty personnel received a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicating they have until June 6, 2023, to voluntarily separate from service or face forced discharge. Reserve and National Guard members have been given until July 7, 2023, to comply with the directive.

Legal challenges to the policy are ongoing. Court filings made public in March suggest that the Trump administration is struggling to substantiate claims that disqualifying trans troops is based on “honesty, humility, and integrity.” Government lawyers have argued that the financial implications of gender-affirming care place undue pressure on military resources, despite the Pentagon reporting that such care has cost just $52 million over a decade. This figure is negligible compared to the Pentagon’s projected budget of at least $961.6 billion for 2026.

The implications of this decision reach far beyond financial calculations. For many long-serving trans troops, the loss of retirement benefits represents a significant personal and professional setback. As the debate continues, the impact on the lives of these service members remains a pressing concern.