- Reaction score
- 25,763
- Points
- 1,090
We (members of the CAF) definitely do not need to commission. I’ve seen folks serve 25 years and retire as a Cpl.
You can serve to age 60 (higher with approval) but you essentially stop getting more for your pension at 35 years of service (70% of your salary, at 2% per year of service)
Pedantic moment: You can accumulate a maximum of thirty-five years of pensionable service. Within the Part I (full-time) pension plan, your pension is based on the number of days of paid CAF service within that thirty-five year window. Certain types of leave without pay, or transfer to part-time Res F service within that maximum thirty-five years can materially reduce the benefit you receive on retirement below the maximum of 70% (to age 65, at which point the bridge benefit is removed).
The benefit is based on the average of your best five years of service. That does not have to be within your 35 years of pensionable service. Promotions or material changes to pay on or after 35 years will still increase your pension (you will contribute at a rate of 1% of salary, while still enrolled in the plan as a contributor, after 35 years).