DAF Form 131: Transfer to Retired Reserve (Download PDF) – If you’re an Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard member with 20 qualifying years of service, transferring to the Retired Reserve (often called “gray area” retirement) is a major milestone. It allows you to stop drilling while preserving your eligibility for non-regular retired pay at age 60 (or your Reduced Retired Pay Age if qualified).
The official form for this process is DAF Form 131, titled Application for Transfer to the Retired Reserve. This article explains the form’s purpose, eligibility, how to complete it, the submission process, and what happens next, based on current Department of the Air Force guidance.
What Is DAF Form 131 and Who Needs It?
DAF Form 131 is the Department of the Air Force form used by Air Force Reserve (AFR), Air National Guard (ANG), and certain general officers to request voluntary transfer from an active reserve status to the Retired Reserve.
Transferring to the Retired Reserve means you leave drilling status (Individual Ready Reserve or unit participation) but remain in the Retired Reserve until you reach retirement pay age. You become a “gray area retiree” — eligible for certain benefits like commissary/exchange access in many cases, but retired pay and full TRICARE typically begin at age 60 (or earlier under specific reduced-age rules from post-9/11 service).
Key users include:
- Air Force Reserve members reaching 20 qualifying years or mandatory separation/High Year Tenure (HYT).
- Air National Guard members in similar situations.
- General officers (GOs) who follow a slightly modified process involving the State TAG (The Adjutant General) recommendation.
Note: This is for non-regular (reserve) retirement. Active Duty members generally use different processes for regular retirement.
Eligibility for Transfer to the Retired Reserve
To qualify for transfer:
- Complete at least 20 years of satisfactory qualifying service (per 10 USC § 12731).
- Meet any service-specific requirements outlined in DAFI 36-3203 (current as of 2025 updates).
- Not be under certain adverse actions, courts-martial, or restrictions that prohibit retirement/transfer (e.g., pending investigations may delay processing).
Members can apply no earlier than 12 months before the desired effective date, with recommendations to submit at least 180 days prior for smooth processing. ARPC (Air Reserve Personnel Center) handles most actions.
The Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF) retains final approval authority in all cases.
Benefits of Transferring to the Retired Reserve
- Preserve retirement eligibility — Your qualifying years are locked in.
- Gray area benefits — Access to many ID card privileges, potential TRICARE eligibility at age 60 (or reduced age), and commissary/exchange use.
- Continued point accrual in some contexts — Time in Retired Reserve may affect high-36 average pay calculations in specific ways.
- No more mandatory drills or annual training — Free up time for civilian career/family while maintaining military affiliation until pay begins.
Once transferred, you are no longer in an active drilling status but stay on the rolls until reaching retired pay age. At that point, you apply for pay using DD Form 2656 via myFSS or DFAS processes.
How to Download DAF Form 131?
The official, current version of DAF Form 131 is available as a fillable PDF directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site:
→ Download DAF Form 131 here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/form/daf131/daf131.pdf
Always use the official link to ensure you have the latest revision. Do not rely on third-party copies for official submission.
How to Fill Out DAF Form 131? (Step-by-Step Overview)
While the exact fields are on the PDF, typical sections include:
Section I – Personal Information: Name, rank, SSN/DOD ID, date of birth, contact info, current unit/assignment.
Section II – Service History: Total years of service, qualifying years, retirement points summary, and any prior active duty or reserve service.
Section III – Requested Action: Desired effective date of transfer, reasons for request (voluntary retirement, reaching MSD/HYT, personal reasons, etc.), and any additional remarks.
Section IV – Commander/Chain of Command Recommendations (including signatures/endorsements).
Section V (optional in some cases) – Additional comments.
For General Officers, additional steps involve IG checks and TAG recommendations before forwarding to NGB or ARPC.
Tips for completion:
- Ensure your Retirement Points Statement (from myFSS or vPC) is accurate and up to date.
- Coordinate with your unit commander, Military Personnel Flight (MPF), or Retirement Services Officer (RSO) early.
- For ANG members, State-level coordination is often required.
- Attach supporting documents if requested (e.g., points history).
Many processes now route through myFSS or vPC (virtual Personnel Center) for electronic tracking.
Submission and Processing
- Complete DAF Form 131 with required signatures/endorsements.
- Route through your chain of command (unit commander → MPF/RSO → higher headquarters as needed).
- For ANG: Often involves State TAG and NGB.
- ARPC reviews, performs necessary checks (e.g., IG), and processes the transfer if approved.
- You receive retirement orders upon approval.
Processing time varies; submitting early helps avoid delays near mandatory dates. Track your application through myFSS where possible.
Governing Instruction: Refer to the latest DAFI 36-3203 for detailed procedures on separations, retirements, and Retired Reserve transfers.
Common Questions
Can I be recalled after transferring?
Retired Reserve members can be recalled to active duty in certain national emergencies or as needed by the Secretary of Defense, though this is rare for most gray area retirees.
What about retired pay?
You do not receive pay immediately. Apply when you reach age 60 (or your reduced age) using myFSS and DD Form 2656. Pay is calculated based on points earned (typically 2.5% per qualifying year, using high-36 or applicable formula).
Is there a difference between Retired Reserve and full retirement?
Yes — Retired Reserve is the “gray area” status before pay begins. Full receipt of non-regular retired pay starts later.
What if I have pending issues?
Certain administrative holds, investigations, or legal actions can delay or affect approval. Consult your SJA or RSO.
Final Advice for Air Force Reservists
Transferring to the Retired Reserve is a well-earned transition after years of service. Start by downloading DAF Form 131, updating your records in myFSS, and speaking with your unit’s personnel or retirement services office. Accurate documentation and early submission make the process smoother.
For the most current guidance, always check official sources:
- Air Force e-Publishing (forms and DAFI 36-3203)
- myFSS / ARPC / AFR C websites
- Your local MPF or RSO
Military benefits and processes can change, so verify details with official channels tailored to your specific situation (AFR vs. ANG, officer vs. enlisted, GO status).
Ready to begin? Download DAF Form 131 today and take the next step toward honoring your service while transitioning to the next chapter.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force publications as of 2025–2026. It is not a substitute for official legal or personnel advice. Contact your servicing MPF, RSO, or ARPC for personalized assistance.