The changing terrain: Military retirement
Blended Retirement System
A DoD News interview with two department subject-matter experts on the new blended military retirement system outlined the training program for educating all affected parties:
- Leader training began June 1 on the Joint Knowledge Online portal and the MilitaryOneSource website, and on DVD at deployed, shipboard and other remote locations.
- Training for installation and command financial counselors begins this fall.
- Opt-in training for current service members begins Jan. 2017.
- Service members who join after Jan. 2018 will receive training during their first months of service.
A key feature of the leader training module will allow leaders to search for specific information, so leaders can (hopefully) easily answer service members’ unique questions, rather than relying on a one-size fits all answer.
Army
In an effort to right-size troop levels, reduce need for forced separations and provide more promotion opportunities for mid-grade soldiers, the Army is changing retention control points (RCP) for some senior NCOs. This, in turn, will affect their “expiration, term of service” (ETS). Some NCOs will see the changes beginning Oct. 1, which will shorten their RCPs by two to three years. Most are supposed to have more than a year to prepare for the earlier-than-planned retirement. Also, all those affected have already served at least 20 years, so they will be eligible for full military retirement benefits. Approximately 3,000 NCOs will leave, at staggered times over several years.
Sources: defense.gov, army.mil
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