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A State Pension for the NC Guard — $105 to $210 a Month, From Age 60

North Carolina pays its own pension to National Guard members, on top of anything federal. It starts at $105.00 a month at 20 years of creditable military service and rises by $10.50 for each additional year to a maximum of $210.00 at 30 years. You must be 60, have 20 years of creditable military service counted under the federal non-regular retirement rules, and — the condition that decides most cases — AT LEAST 15 OF THOSE YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

North Carolina pays its own pension to National Guard members, on top of anything federal. It starts at $105.00 a month at 20 years of creditable military service and rises by $10.50 for each additional year to a maximum of $210.00 at 30 years. You must be 60, have 20 years of creditable military service counted under the federal non-regular retirement rules, and — the condition that decides most cases — AT LEAST 15 OF THOSE YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

What it's worth: $105 a month at 20 years, rising to $210 at 30

  • $105.00 A MONTH at 20 years of creditable military service.
  • PLUS $10.50 A MONTH for each additional year.
  • MAXIMUM $210.00 A MONTH at 30 years.
  • PAYABLE FROM AGE 60.
  • 20 years of creditable military service counted under the federal non-regular retirement rules at 10 U.S.C. ch. 67 — Guard, reserve and active duty all count toward it.
  • AT LEAST 15 OF THOSE YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD. This is the narrow condition.
  • An honorable discharge is required.
  • THE RESIDENCY TEST IS NOT ESTABLISHED from the sources reviewed.
  • Statutory basis: N.C.G.S. §127A-40. Eligibility is determined by the NC National Guard; payment by the Retirement Systems Division.

Who is entitled to it

  • You serve or served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • Your discharge was honorable.
  • You have at least 20 years of creditable service.
  • You have 15 years in the North Carolina National Guard.
  • North Carolina pays this pension.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

Deadline: Payable from age 60
  1. 1Contact the North Carolina National Guard to have your creditable service determined — that is the eligibility step, before any paperwork with the Treasurer.
  2. 2Confirm the 15 years IN THE NC GUARD specifically. Service in another state's Guard counts toward the 20 but not toward the 15.
  3. 3Apply as you approach 60. The pension is payable from that age.
  4. 4Ask how it interacts with your federal non-regular retired pay; the two are separate.
  5. 5Ask about residency — the published material does not state a test.
Form
Application through the NC National Guard, paid by NC Retirement Systems
File with
NC National Guard, with the Retirement Systems Division
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingThe 15-years-in-the-NC-Guard condition is the one to check early. A member who transfers between states can reach 20 years overall and still miss it.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.