Sunita Williams Retires From NASA, But She Won’t Get Traditional Direct Pension: Here’s Why

After spending nearly three decades with NASA, Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired from her active service. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025, just after Christmas, NASA announced on Tuesday, January 20. This marks the end of an era for one of the most celebrated astronauts in the world.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Williams as a “pioneer of human spaceflight,” whose leadership on the space station helped shape the future of exploration. He further mentioned that contributions have strengthened the foundation for Artemis missions to the Moon and future journeys to Mars.

While her space achievements are extraordinary, another question arises: what does life after NASA look like for Williams? Williams won’t get a direct pension from NASA. According to a report by NDTV, she qualifies for retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). This pension is calculated based on her 27 years of service and the average of her three highest-paid consecutive years.

As she spent 27 years at NASA, the calculation works out to roughly 1 per cent of her average pay from her three highest-earning years of service. She held a senior GS-15 role with an annual salary estimated between Rs 1.20 and 1.30 crore so the final payout is expected to be sizable.

Although the exact figure has not been officially revealed, the report suggests that her yearly pension could be close to $43,200 which is around Rs 36 lakh. This calculation also factors in the service period credited from her earlier role as a captain in the US Navy which counted towards her total tenure.

In addition to her FERS pension, Williams will also continue to receive payments from the US Social Security system that will provide her with a separate monthly income. Her post-retirement benefits also include lifelong access to federal health insurance and life insurance along with post-mission medical and psychological support. Her savings in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k), will continue to grow.

Over her 27-year tenure at NASA, Williams participated in three space missions during which she spent a total of 608 days in space, the second-highest cumulative total among all NASA astronauts. She also shares the sixth-longest single spaceflight for an American, having spent 286 days aboard the ISS alongside astronaut Butch Wilmore.

Williams has deep Indian roots through her father who was born in Gujarat’s Mehsana district before later relocating to the United States. He went on to marry Bonnie Pandya who is of Slovenian origin. Over the years, Williams has often spoken about how her multicultural background shaped her outlook and journey. Looking back at her career, she has described space as her “absolute favourite place to be.” She has also said that being part of missions that advanced scientific research and exploration has been one of her greatest honours.

During her tenure, she completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes. This is the most by any female astronaut and the fourth-highest overall in NASA history. She also holds the distinction of being the first person to run a marathon in space.

She made her spaceflight debut in December 2006 where she travelled aboard the space shuttle Discovery during Expeditions 14 and 15. She returned to orbit in July 2012. The space shuttle was launched from Kazakhstan for Expeditions 32 and 33, a mission that later saw her take charge as the International Space Station’s commander. Her final journey to space took place in June 2024 on Boeing’s Starliner. Following that launch, she became part of Expeditions 71 and 72 and once again led the ISS before safely returning to Earth in March 2025.