Most Army National Guard Soldiers receive an updated NGB Form 23 each year on their service anniversary or birth month. This is an automated form generated by the Retirement Points Accounting System. This statement provides a summary of your years of service, retirement points, and estimated retirement pay.
I believe the NGB Form 23 is one of the most important documents to keep in your personnel file. It gives you a ‘snapshot’ of where you stand in respect to your retirement status. It tells you how much money you can expect to earn at retirement. And it provides you a detailed explanation of how many retirement points you earned each year of your career. This includes Active Duty time, membership points, drill weekend, annual training time, and much more.
Where to Get Your NGB Form 23
Depending upon what type of unit you are assigned to, you should ask your first line supervisor to help you get an updated copy. If they can’t help you, schedule an appointment with your S1 Office. If you are at the company level, your Unit Readiness NCO can get you a copy. You could also visit the G1 or state personnel office, but I highly recommend you start at your unit first.
UPDATE: If you are no longer in the military, and you need a copy of your NGB Form 23 or your VA Loan (or whatever reason), please contact the G1 Office of the state you served in. They should be able to help you. You can find their information with a quick Google search.
Reviewing Your NGB Form 23
You should review your NGB 23 statement each year to check for errors. Spend 20 to 30 minutes and review your retirement points, creditable time in service, service dates, and estimated retirement pay to make sure everything is accurate. If you find mistakes on your report sit down with your S1 and get it fixed immediately. It isn’t that hard to do. It amazes me how many people never review their retirement points summary. Failure to spot check your report does more bad than good, so spend the 20 to 30 minutes to review your report for errors.
If you want to learn more about the NGB Form 23, the best thing you can do is download NGR 680-2. This is the National Guard Regulation that describes the rules, regulations, and “details” about your NGB 23. You could also ask your S1 Section or Readiness NCO to give you a five to ten minute class about the “ins and outs” of it. And if you are a supervisor, make sure you teach this information to your subordinates, so they know what to do.
How to Correct Your Retirement Points Statement
Verifying the accuracy of your NGB-23: Retirement Points Statement is VITALLY important. Accuracy on this report ensures that 1) you can retire one time, and 2) you are being paid the correct retirement pay based on the correct points. Here are some simple steps on How to Correct Your Retirement Points Statement (NGB-23):
Step # 1: Review Your Statement
This is sounds pretty simple, but login to iPerms and obtain your NGB Form 23. Look it over and make sure that it matches the previous year’s statement (with respect to past points earned) and then review it for the current year. Verify the schools you went to (TDY: Active Duty, etc.), correspondence courses points, and other point sources are accurate. If they are not then…
Step # 2: Grab Your Backup Paperwork
If you are not currently backing up your physical paperwork that is on iPerms, you should be! No, I take that back…YOU MUST! If you find a discrepancy on your NGB-23, go searching for the backup paperwork. Perhaps you have an old LES which verifies dates for orders or a 1059 which was overlooked. I know it sounds silly, but mistakes happen. Before you bring up an issue, make sure there is actually an issue and verify your paperwork.
Step # 3: Talk with your S1 or Readiness NCO
Now that you have done your due diligence, compile your paperwork and address the issues with your S1 shop. Always, in my opinion, vet the issue through your Readiness NCO first. The reason I say so is because they usually are able to resolve issues much quicker with your Battalion staff than you can. Not only that, but they may be able to point out why there is a mistake or if you are way out in left field with your assumptions.
Step # 4: Follow Up
Don’t do all this work and then drop the ball. Follow up from time-to-time until the issue is resolved. Make sure that they are iPerming your corrected paperwork, and as always, make sure you have a copy for your files!
Summary
In most cases, your NGB 23 will be accurate. However, it’s your job to manage your career effectively, and to review your important documents from time-to-time to make sure everything is accurate. Review your NGB Form 23 at least once a year and if you find any discrepancies, follow the advice I listed above to fix it.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait until you are close to retirement to review your NGB Form 23. Make sure you proactively manage your career. Each year, on your service anniversary, sit down with your S1 or supervisor and review your Retirement Points Statement. Look for errors. Ask questions. Find ways to maximize your retirement pay. And whatever you do, make sure you get at least 50 points each year so your year counts as a “good year” toward retirement.
Do you have any questions? Just ask them below. If you have any other tips on the NGB Form 23, please leave a comment below. Remember, it is your retirement pay, and you need to guarantee it is accurate.
Other Must Read Posts:
- The Military Retirement System: How It Works
- How Much is a Military Retirement and Pension Worth?
- The Retirement Process in the Army National Guard
- AGR Readiness NCO
- Battalion S1 Officer
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I got out of the guard in 2005. During my 7.5 years of service I never once saw this NGB 23. I never received one in the mail and was not given one upon discharge. I need to know how to get a copy of it now 20+ years later. I have no contacts with my old unit.
Hi Walt,
I recommend following the directions at VA.org and you should be able to get a copy.
I hope that helps.
My husband, Andrew G Roberts, is also trying to get a copy of his NG 23. We requested a copy from his local unit (He is no longer in). Our morgage company first requested a copy June 24. It has almost been 2 months and still we are waiting.
Same here Walt. I never heard of this form nor received one. Ever.
Same here I got out 2002.
I thought there was just the NGB 22 and DD214. I contacted Separated Records NCOIC. He sent me a form to fill out to request it and it will be mailed to you.
As I served in the Army Reserves in Ohio for 2.5 and then the PA National Guard for 3.5 from 1971-1977, I have the NGB-22 and the DD214. However, I have never received a NGB-23. I need it quickly as I am trying to get a VA Loan to buy a house. Did it even exist at the time I was discharged? How do I obtain a copy? I last served in PA.
Hi Larry,
The best thing you can do is reach out to the PA National Guard G1 Office. I’m not sure if form NGB 23 existed back then, but it’s worth checking out. I hope that helps.
Chuck
I was hoping someone could help me with an issue I am having with getting a certification letter to qualify for a VA loan. I served from 1971-1977. Completed 6 years and had active duty days of 115 during the vietname war. I have already given my mortgage company my DD214 and NGB22. This has all the information showing that I am qualified. Now the VA is requiring me to submit a NGB23 form. In my original request to the department of records I requested this as well. They sent me the other forms and not this one because I don’t believe in 1977 they used this form. I never received any such form all the years I was in the National Guard. Is there any advise you can provide me with to get over this road block. I can’t close on a house because of this issue about a form that I believe did not exist when I served. You can email me at frank6671@optonline.net. Thanks
I hope you got this resolved. If you have a DD Form 214 and NGB 22, I’m not sure why you would need a NGB Form 23.
How do you get an updated NGB Form 23 for retirement?
Contact the G1 office from the last state you served with. That is what I would do.
I find it very difficult to find an address to send the request for my NGB 22. I served in the Missouri Army National Guard. Can anyone out there help?
Also, same question about where to send in a request for my NGB 23. Where is it sent?
Darrell
You could do a quick Google search for Missouri Army National Guard G1 office and go from there. That is what I would recommend.
Post retirement, how does one go about making corrections to your federal record? My NGB23 was correct through to my retirement. I retired from National Guard in 2004. And now as I reach benefits age, I realize my federal record doesn’t match the NGB23 I received just 4 months before I retired. Several gaps where I re-enlisted early are showing on my federal record as gaps in service.
I would contact the state’s G1 office that you retired from. That is about all I know.
I’ve been separated from the Florida National Guard since December, 1984. My enlistment was for 6 years. I joined the Guard in Arkansas my senior year of high school in 1978. Recently, I found out that I could be eligible for a VA loan. I don’t know where to start. The Florida National Guard has been most helpful. They had me to download Form SF 180. Veterans United has given me information that I need to get to qualified. They have told me to get NGB 22 and NGB 23.Can you help? 870-830-7143.
I hope you got this sorted out. No one responded previously. My apologies. I would work with the G1 office for the Florida Army National Guard. They should know what the steps are. Hope that helps.
Chuck
I find it insane that some people glance over their retirement altogether, not just in the military but in other fields as well. Retirement is one of the most important parts of life to prepare for, and failing to do so is certainly to your disadvantage – take the 20 minutes, and look over things. You never know what it may save you in the long run.
Yes, prior to retiring from the military, or simply separating from the military, it’s important to get your paperwork in order. Make certified copies of each important document and keep them in a safe place. You never know when you will need them in the future.
As someone mentioned here, no matter what kind of job you are in, you should always keep track of your service and retirement. Mistakes happen, not because of the computer, but because of the person entering the information. One little mistake can cost you a lot of headaches. It is much easier to get a mistake fixed early, than to wait until the last minute. I strongly recommend using an Excel program, and requesting this form yearly. Enter the info in your program, as it can help you catch any mistakes.
I agree.
I got out of the Guard in 2003. I am in the Air Force reserves since, but now need my points to give me my 20 years. Where can one request a copy of the NGB 23 I got back in 2003? I have my NGB 22, but can’t seem to find the 23.
I would start by calling the G1 Office in the state that you got out of. They might be able to help you.
If I have over 5500 points for retirement, and only have 19 years service. Can I retire early from the National Guard. Or, do I have to do the last year of drills?
You still need 20 years. However, I recently heard the ARNG and USAR are doing early retirements, where you only have to have 15 to 20 years. It might be in your best interest to have a conversation with your S1 to see if that applies to you. Good luck. And thanks for your service.
Thanks for the good information on the NGB Form 23. No matter what career you are in, it’s important to stay up to date on what benefits you are accruing. You never know what a little error can pop up that is then compounded on future reports. Similar to the other poster, my husband got his at his Unit Readiness NCO.
Good points, Sophia.
You are spot on. Everyone needs to be proactive about their own career, whether civilian or military. Part of doing that means making sure your paperwork, files and important records are current and up to date.
In the ARNG, we get a copy of our NGB Form 23 on the month of our service anniversary. Whenever a Soldier gets one they should take 10-15 minutes to review it and make sure everything is correct. If something is wrong, they need to bring the issue up to their chain of command as quickly as possible and get it corrected.
Thanks for your comment.
Chuck
Thanks for the details on the NGB Form 23. It pretty much seems like they are the army’s version of tax-papers like the W-9. The NGB has been particularly helpful for my family, as we can map out how much my husband will get when we plan on retiring. I think my husband picked his up at his Unit Readiness NCO.
In most cases, Soldiers can get a copy of their NGB Form 23 from their Unit Readiness NCO.
What I like about the NGB 23 is that you can determine how much you will get when you retire. It gives you a breakdown of your retirement points. Once you have that information, you can go to a military retirement calculator and play around with the numbers to figure out how you can maximize your pension.
I did this every year when I received a new copy of my NGB 23. It was very helpful.
Thanks for the comment.
Chuck