![Lt. Col. Antonio Copeland receives his certificate of retirement from Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commanding general-south, during a celebration of service ceremony. (U.S. Army/Justin Silvers) Lt. Col. Antonio Copeland receives his certificate of retirement from Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commanding general-south, during a celebration of service ceremony. (U.S. Army/Justin Silvers)](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220608153110im_/https://images03.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2018-10/retirement-ceremony-2400.jpg?itok=KfgjnB01)
Being in the United States military carries with it a number of benefits. Military retirement pay is arguably one of the best and highly sought after benefits. This benefit also increases with the cost of living helping to ensure that the value of a military retirement does not decline over time. Properly managed, a military retirement can easily last a lifetime and in some cases include survivor benefits.