Air Force Retirement Time BR

Brazilian Air Force Retirement (Reforma da FAB)

Brazilian Air Force (FAB) personnel move into the reserva remunerada once they hit 35 years of effective service, which the tool works out as remainingYears = 35 - currentYears. Flying officers who reach the rank of brigadier are subject to mandatory retirement (reforma compulsória) at 70 years of age. The rules come from Lei 6.880/1980 (Estatuto dos Militares), now read alongside Lei 13.954/2019, which overhauled the military pension system.

Once retired, pilots are free to fly in civil aviation, whether at commercial airlines, in executive aviation or at training schools, as long as they keep valid ANAC licenses. The CASOP (Centro de Apoio do Sistema Operacional) handles personnel logistics across the air bases, and the base pay (soldo) goes through periodic recomposição negotiations that may still be pending at any given time.

Applications

FAB pilots, mechanics, air controllers and administrative officers use it to plan when they will move to the reserve, to time their license conversions for civilian commercial flying, and to sketch out a second career in aviation, airport management or defense industry consulting.

FAQ

Does time at AFA (Academia da Força Aérea) count? Yes. Your years as a cadet at the Air Force Academy in Pirassununga go toward the 35-year requirement.

Can a retired pilot fly for Latam or Gol? Yes. With a valid ANAC commercial license in hand (PLA, PC), retired military pilots are sought after by Brazilian airlines, which prize their experience and disciplined training.

What changed with Lei 13.954/2019? It pushed up the minimum service time needed to transfer to the reserve, raised the contribution rate, and added a transition rule for those still on active duty, bringing the system closer to the principles behind the civilian pension reform.