In the past, Voluntary Separation Incentive, Special Separation Benefit, and other separation payments, were offered to Active Duty service members to reduce a surplus of manpower in certain career fields. If these service members later attained military retiree status and began to receive Retired Pay, they had to pay back the VSI, SSB or severance pay.

In May 2009, the DoD announced recoupment of VSI, SSB and certain other separation payments is temporarily suspended for military retirees in an active pay status pending a formal policy and legal review. Beginning June 1, 2009, these members' military retired pay was not reduced by any recoupment amounts. The legal review is still in progress. Members will be notified before any further action is taken on their accounts.