I was an Air Traffic Controller and retired on disability this year at age 59. The mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers is normally 56, but I had an age waiver allowing me to work until I completed 20 years of DoD service. With the age waiver, I would have retired in June 2023 at age 60 years and 11 months. What should I enter for my 1099-R question? 56, 60 or 61?
If you could have retired at 56 and received your pension then 56 would be the answer.
I wasn't normal. I was hired at age 40, with an age waiver allowing me to work exactly 20 years to age 60. At age 56 I had only completed 16 years and did not qualify for a retirement, hence the age waiver. So I guess my answer would be 60 or 61, depending on if I round up a month.