U.S. forecast number of military retirees FY 2024-2034

By 22034033, the number of military retirees in the United States is expected to reach 2.37 million; an increase from an estimated 2.27 million retirees in 2024. 

Military retirement pay

In the U.S., military retirement refers to pension and benefit plans for those who have accumulated 20 or more years of active service. There are different factors that influence how much is paid out to different veterans, which includes length of service, disability percentage, the year the person entered the military, and type of retirement. The total payment for military retirees is expected to continue to increase, as well as their average benefits. However, the total outlays for the military retirement trust fund is expected to fluctuate, but ultimately rise over the next decade.

U.S veterans

The United States has one of the largest militaries in the world based on active personnel and has the largest defense budget in the world. However, many veterans in the U.S. struggle to find a job and find affordable housing when they return from deployment due to factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder and physical disabilities. The Department of Veteran Affairs seeks to help those coming back from training or combat assimilate back into everyday life.