SEPTEMBER 28, 2016, WASHINGTON (NNS) – Navy has released information on the transition to the Blended Retirement System (BRS) and training requirements Sept. 27, in NAVADMIN 217/16.
Signed into law in November 2015, the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) created a new military retirement system for service members. The new Blended Retirement System goes into effect Jan. 1, 2018. However, Sailors who are currently serving in the Navy will be grandfathered into the current retirement system. Active Component Sailors with less than 12 years of service (as of Dec. 31, 2017) and Reserve Component Sailors with fewer than 4,320 retirement points (as of Dec.31, 2017) will be able to opt-in to the new retirement plan if they choose to do so.
Unlike the current retirement system which provides a retirement pension of 2.5 percent of base pay for every year of service (YOS), BRS provides automatic and government matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions, a mid-career Continuation Pay and a retirement pension of 2.0 percent of base pay for every YOS.
Under BRS, members that leave the military before earning a retirement pension take with them their TSP account including government contributions after completing two years of service. Additionally, members enrolled in BRS that earn a retirement pension can choose to receive a portion of their pension in a lump sum in exchange for a reduced retired pay until reaching full retirement age.
In an effort to facilitate a smooth transition to BRS, all Navy service members will be required to complete either the BRS Leader’s Training course, which is now available on Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) and Navy E-learning or the BRS Opt-in Training course that will go live early in 2017 according to the NAVADMIN.
To ensure service members have the information they need to make informed choices on BRS, four targeted education courses are being developed and deployed including, the recently released training for leaders in October 2016, a course for financial and retirement counselors in early 2017, a course for Opt In Eligible members and in January 2018 a course that is specific for new accessions. Training will be available on JKO, Navy E-Learning or via DVD’s which can be ordered from Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC).
Sailors can also find information on BRS at the Department of Defense BRS web page http://militarypay.defense.gov/blendedretirement/. This page will be routinely updated with the most recent information and tools on the new retirement system.
Command pass liaisons have been tasked with ensuring that all command members have updated email addresses in Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) Web to facilitate BRS eligibility notifications.
Command career counselors and command financial specialists are tasked with ensuring that they are knowledgeable on BRS and are able to provide Sailors’ with information on the resources available for members that wish to learn more about BRS.
Read NAVADMIN 217/16 at www.npc.navy.mil.