General Rule
Unless retired or separated earlier, each regular commissioned officer of the navy (other than permanent regular warrant officers and permanent professors at the United States Naval Academy) serving in a grade below rear admiral (lower half) shall be separated or retired, if eligible, on the first day of the month following the month in which the officer becomes 62 years of age.
Deferred Retirement
The Secretary of the Navy may defer the retirement of an officer beyond age 62 in accordance with Title 10, United States Code.
Deferred Retirement Request Process
Officers desiring to defer retirement beyond the age of 62 years must formally request to do so via a personal letter and command endorsement. The request should be submitted 6-9 months prior to attaining the age of 62 years or the expiration of a previously approved deferral of retirement. Endorsements from higher authorities to the member’s commanding officer will be accepted but are not required. Only the command endorsement is required to process the request.
References
10 USC 1251
10 USC 1252 (Permanent Professors at USNA)
10 USC 1263 (Warrant Officers)
SECNAVINST 1920.6D
Example Request Letter and Endorsement
Date
From: RANK First MI. Last Name, USN, DESIG
To: Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-835)
Via: Commanding Officer, [Member’s Command]
Subj: REQUEST FOR DEFERRAL OF RETIREMENT BEYOND AGE 62
Ref: (a) 10 USC 1251
(b) SECNAVINST 1920.6D
1. Per references (a) and (b), I hereby request deferral of retirement beyond age 62 until the end of
[Month Year].
2. Provide justification for request.
3. Point of contact information: (your email address and telephone number).
FI. MI. LAST NAME
_________________________________________________________________________________
1920
Ser
Date
FIRST ENDORSEMENT on RANK First MI. Last Name, USN, DESIG, ltr of DD Mmm YY
From: Commanding Officer, [Member’s Command]
To: Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-835)
Subj: REQUEST FOR DEFERRAL OF RETIREMENT BEYOND AGE 62
1. Forwarded, recommending approval (or disapproval).
2. Comment on the date conducted and the member’s performance during the most recent Physical
Fitness Assessment (PFA). Include any additional comments as desired to support a positive (or
negative) endorsement of the member’s deferral of retirement request.
FI. MI. LAST NAME
Copy to: [Member]