I'm up on 15 years, and I've been offered REDUX (career service bonus, or something like that).

I'm wondering if this is a good idea. One one hand it gives me 20 or 30 thousand dollars to invest or whatever I decide, but on the other it lowers my overall retirement check to 40% along with any COLA adjustments after I get out.

Anyone here have any advice on what to do?

If you are a SFC or above, you can now stay 30 years. No more RCP at 24-26 years. If you take the REDUX and then stay 30 years, your retirement will be the same as if you'd retired at 20 without the REDUX.

If you can find a way to take that money and get a good return on the dollar, it might not be a bad idea. Another thought is, if you can take that money and become and stay debt free until retirement, the loss of retirement dollars is not so noticeable as you have no bills.