MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Camp Lejeune Claims
| VA Loans
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Reserve Retirement Pay: Have You Done Your Homework

JANUARY 24, 2019 – For those serving as traditional Reserve Soldiers in the Army Reserve, receiving that 20-year retirement letter can feel like winning the lottery. But did you know that just because you have that golden ticket doesn’t mean you will automatically start receiving retirement pay when you turn 60?

There are requirements that you must meet in order to start collecting the benefits you earned. Here’s a look at the top four myths about traditional Reserve Retirement pay.

Myth #4 – Your retirement pay and Tricare both start at the same time.

The truth is that in certain instances, you may be eligible for retirement pay even before your 60th birthday. However, Tricare coverage for most Soldiers who meet the criteria for reduced retirement age pay won’t begin until the Soldier’s actual 60th birthday.

There is an exception, though. Soldiers may purchase additional health coverage through one of the premium forms of Tricare, like Tricare Retired Reserve or Tricare Reserve Select.

The point is that you need to seek alternatives to Tricare for health coverage prior to your birthday, even if you’re already drawing Reserve Retirement pay.

Myth #3 – Reserve Component retirement points are updated automatically.

Short answer, no. Retirement points are reported to the Retirement Point Accounting System, or RPAS, in one of three ways.

  • Electronically from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
  • Electronically from the Army Institute for Professional Development for correspondence courses.
  • Manually by a Human Resources Command analyst.

There are several instances where an HRC analyst will need to manually update your retirement points. These include when you’re mobilized or if you’ve had any prior service with other military services, such as the Marine Corps.

For clarification on when and how to add points manually, check with the latest version of the Army Reserve Retirement Points Information Guide.

Myth #2 – HRC will mail traditional Reserve Retirees their retirement pay application.

HRC’s Reserve Component Retirement Branch does not mail retirement pay applications. To apply for retirement pay, traditional Reserve Component Soldiers will need to apply through the HRC portal at https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/6031.

There, you will find a link to the Retired Pay Application and DD form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel). Ensure you pay special attention to the instructions and submit all applicable documents to HRC by email to: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-retirement-application-request@mail.mil. You may also send it via U.S. mail to:

ATTN TAGD (AHRC-PDP-TR)
Human Resources Command
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Dept. 482
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5402

Myth #1 – Retirees will automatically receive their first retirement paycheck on their 60th birthday.

If you are eagerly awaiting a retirement paycheck along with your stack of birthday cards, think again. In order to receive pay, you must apply.

Applications should be submitted to HRC no earlier than nine months and no later than ninety days prior to your 60th birthday. Again, the exception being if you fall into the NDAA 2008, Reduced Retirement Age category, and are eligible on your 57th birthday, for example.

And in case you were wondering, there are some things Soldiers must do before and after they transfer to the Retired Reserve.

For starters, Soldiers must attend a mandatory pre-retirement briefing up to two years prior to transfer to the Retired Reserve or Retirement.

These briefings typically last a full day and are offered in numerous locations throughout the year. For a full list please visit the Soldier for Life web portal at http://soldierforlife.army.mil.

These briefings are normally held on a weekend to coincide with battle assembly.

Reserve Retirement pay made easy…

So you’ve made the sacrifice and put in the time. The Army Reserve wants to make sure you get your pay as soon as you’re eligible. That’s why they’ve broken the process down for you into three easy steps.

Step 1. When eligible and ready, transfer to the retired reserve.

Complete and submit the transfer to the retired reserve packet. An important part of the transfer packet is the retirement counseling form. The Reserve Component Retirement Counseling form and packet can be found by going to https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/6031. After completing the form, have your unit administrator or S-1 load it into iPerms.

Step 2. Keep your address and contact information up to date with HRC.

Keeping HRC informed of your location after you’ve transferred into the retired reserve is key. HRC regularly sends out updates and changes to retirement pay application procedures when they occur, so don’t miss out. Keep your information current by calling the Reserve Retirement Branch at 502-613-8950 or email them at usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-retirement-application-request@mail.mil.

Step 3. Apply for retirement pay between nine months and 90 days prior to your 60th birthday.

In certain cases, as in those that apply to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, Reduced Retirement Age, you may need to apply even earlier. If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for the reduced retirement age, go to https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/11558. This page clarifies eligibility.

When your window opens, download and follow the instructions and complete the retirement application by going to https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/6031 and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Once complete, simply return to HRC by email or mail. The addresses can be located at the link above.

You’ve earned the benefit, make sure you start receiving it just as soon as you’re eligible.

Story by Master Sgt. Brian Hamilton
U.S. Army Human Resources Command

Comments

Filed Under: Benefits, Money, Pay, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Space Command Partners with Guard for Space Cooperation

AUGUST 8, 2022 – U.S. Army Brigadier General Jesse Morehouse, U.S. Space Command’s deputy director for policy, plans and strategy, and members of the National Guard Bureau will visit multiple National Guard locations in the next two months to discuss the importance of partners and allies, security cooperation, and the value the National Guard’s State […]

Army Develops Future Soldier Preparatory Course

JULY 27, 2022 – In response to the most challenging recruiting environment since the start of the all-volunteer force in 1973, the Army is implementing an innovative new program to prepare recruits who are en-route to initial military training to meet or exceed our rigorous standards. The Future Soldier Preparatory Course pilot program, which is […]

Top 5 University Scholarships for Military in the UK

JUNE 20, 2022 – The cost of a college education can be daunting and unaffordable for many university students in the UK. For the students who have set their hearts on joining the military, there are several scholarships available for them.  These scholarships help military students overcome the financial challenges of attending college. A University […]

Career Counselors Match Army, Soldier Needs

JULY 12, 2022 — In many ways, the military is a lot like a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces must be present and fit together correctly to form the full picture of America’s profession of arms. To assist in retaining the right talent in the right place at the right time, the Army relies on […]

Military Consumer Month Focuses on Financial Literacy

JULY 29, 2022 – With inflation soaring in the U.S. and elsewhere, many among the military community, including reservists and veterans, are struggling to make financial ends meet and are in need of a good battle plan to beat their budget foes. Anyone in such a predicament would do well to employ the Department of […]

Recent Posts

  • Space Command Partners with Guard for Space Cooperation
  • Hill AFB Captures First Air Force EOD National Title
  • Military Working Dogs Provide Vital Security
  • Training Squad Provides Combat Ready MQ-9 Reaper Aircrew
  • Rangers Reunite Across the World
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2022 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.