diff --git a/app/models/service_template_ansible_playbook.rb b/app/models/service_template_ansible_playbook.rb
index 76e7a16d2dc..1900c534cee 100644
--- a/app/models/service_template_ansible_playbook.rb
+++ b/app/models/service_template_ansible_playbook.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class ServiceTemplateAnsiblePlaybook < ServiceTemplateGeneric
+  before_destroy :check_retirement_potential
+
   RETIREMENT_ENTRY_POINTS = {
     'yes_without_playbook' => '/Service/Generic/StateMachines/GenericLifecycle/Retire_Basic_Resource',
     'no_without_playbook'  => '/Service/Generic/StateMachines/GenericLifecycle/Retire_Basic_Resource_None',
@@ -163,4 +165,24 @@ def destroy
     end
     super
   end
+
+  # ServiceTemplate includes a retirement resource action
+  #   with a defined job template:
+  #
+  #   1. A resource_action that includes a configuration_template_id.
+  #   2. At least one service instance where :retired is set to false.
+  #
+  def retirement_potential?
+    retirement_jt_exists = resource_actions.where(:action => 'Retirement').where.not(:configuration_template_id => nil).present?
+    retirement_jt_exists && services.where(:retired => false).exists?
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def check_retirement_potential
+    return true unless retirement_potential?
+    error_text = 'Destroy aborted.  Active Services require retirement resources associated with this instance.'
+    errors[:base] << error_text
+    throw :abort
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/service_template_ansible_playbook_spec.rb b/spec/models/service_template_ansible_playbook_spec.rb
index 2bd6202b59f..e5fac7db0f4 100644
--- a/spec/models/service_template_ansible_playbook_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/service_template_ansible_playbook_spec.rb
@@ -238,6 +238,8 @@
   end
 
   describe '#destroy' do
+    let(:service) { FactoryGirl.create(:service_ansible_tower) }
+
     it 'destroys a job template if there is an associated configuration_template' do
       service_template = prebuild_service_template(:job_template => false)
       adjust_resource_actions(service_template, job_template.id)
@@ -256,8 +258,16 @@
       service_template.destroy
     end
 
-    def adjust_resource_actions(service_template, item)
-      service_template.resource_actions.first.tap do |resource_action|
+    it '#retirement_potential?' do
+      service.update_attributes(:retired => false)
+      service_template = prebuild_service_template(:job_template => false)
+      adjust_resource_actions(service_template, job_template.id, :last)
+      service_template.services << service
+      expect(service_template.retirement_potential?).to be_truthy
+    end
+
+    def adjust_resource_actions(service_template, item, list_name = :first)
+      service_template.resource_actions.send(list_name).tap do |resource_action|
         resource_action.configuration_template_id = item
       end.save
     end