The U.S. Air Force says transgender service members with 15 to 18 years of service will not be allowed to retire early and will lose retirement benefits. The decision affects those being removed from the military under Trump administration policy.
Instead of early retirement, affected members can take a one-time separation payment usually given to junior troops, or be forced out with no benefits. An Air Force spokesperson said that while service members could apply for exceptions, none were approved.
Some troops were told earlier they could retire but later had that decision reversed.
Advocates say the move will cause severe financial harm, costing each affected member hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime. Lawyer Shannon Leary called the decision “arbitrary and cruel” and expects lawsuits to follow.
Master Sergeant Logan Ireland, who has served 15 years including in Afghanistan, said he feels “betrayed and devastated.”
The Pentagon’s broader policy bans all transgender people from serving in the military. Critics say the separation process has been dehumanizing. Officials estimate about 4,240 active-duty and National Guard members are transgender.
