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Post Retirement Services
Conducts detailed periodic Pre-Retirement group briefings for all retiring Soldiers
Counsels Soldiers and family members concerning retirement rights, benefits, and privileges.
Counsels / assists survivors of retired Soldiers, and Soldiers who die on active duty regarding their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) options and entitlements, which includes counseling on Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and its relationship to SBP.
Publishes and mails retiree newsletters at least annually.
Publishes periodic articles for installation and local newspapers.
Conducts an annual Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD).
Provides information and filing assistance for the "Annuities for Certain Military Surviving Spouses" or ACMSS, also known as "Forgotten Widows".
Provides information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses, and former spouses regarding the Uniformed Services Former Spouse's Protection Act (USFSPA).
Assists retired Soldiers in understanding and applying for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
Provides information to retired Soldiers on Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP).
Assists retired Soldiers and family members in obtaining: copies of lost documents (i.e., DD Form 214, retirement orders, and medical records); re-issuance of military awards; and issuance of military ID Cards.
Provides retired Soldiers and their families with information and referrals on a myriad of benefits / entitlements including Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), TRICARE; and Social Security/Medicare benefits.
Other Post-Retirement Services
The following services are provided using Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland (DFAS CL)
View retired Soldier's pay account or annuitants pay account
Change allotments
Change beneficiary information
Change mailing address
Change bank information
Change tax filing and withholding status
Request copies of the 1099-R form for tax filing purposes
Request copies of the Retired Account Statement
Retiree Council
The North Carolina Army Retiree Council (NCARC) consists of memberswho are selected from applications submitted by Army Retirees residing within the State of North Carolina. The Council objectives are:
Maintain contact with all the North Carolina Army Retirees.
Participate in programs that concern the well-being of Retirees.
Provide the Army an insight into the problems and needs of Retirees and develop a means of participating and communicating with the Active Army at all levels.
Provide Retirees an opportunity to analyze and exert influence regarding decisions, policies and laws which effect Retirees.
Make NCARC more effective, attractive, and visible to increase Retiree participation through the State of North Carolina.
Regular NCARC meetings are conducted quarterly. For more information contact the Ft Bragg Retirement Service Office at 910-396-5304.
Frequently Asked Questions
Army Echoes
Question: How do I change my mailing address for a paper copy of Army Echoes?
Answer: We give the links, addresses, phone and FAX numbers for changing your address for paper Army Echoes at * http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso/echoes.asp#changeAddress.
Question: How can I switch from paper to e-Echoes?
Answer: First, thanks for asking. Second, go to * https://www.libraries.army.mil/metrics/rso/e-form.asp to volunteer.
Locating Army Buddies
Question: How can I get the address of my Army buddies?
Answer: The Army no longer provides locator service. It is suggested you contact units holding reunions, Army Times, or one of the locator services such as * http://www.switchboard.com.
Military Records
Question: After I retired I discovered that my DD Form 214 does not contain all my awards and decorations and that my total service time is incorrect. How do I go about correcting my DD Form 214?
Answer: Send a copy (NEVER an original) of your DD Form 214 along with proof of what error needs to be corrected to Commander; U.S. Army Human Resources Command;
ATTN: AHRC-PAV-V; 1
Reserve Way; St. Louis,
MO 63132-5200
They will issue a DD Form 215 correcting the 214. It generally takes a considerable period of time for a total research of an individual's file and correction to be issued. For more information, go to * https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/reserve/soldierservices/veteran/vetrecordcorrections.htm.
Question: How do I obtain a copy of a specific document or a copy of my complete military personnel file?
Answer: Write to National Personnel Records Center,
ATTN: Army Reference Branch (NCPMA),
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Be sure to give them your SSAN when you send your request. Your request could take some time, so be patient. You can also request your records online by going to * http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/.
Pre-Retirement
Question: Should my spouse accompany me to the Pre-retirement Orientation?
Answer: Yes, by all means. It is strongly recommended that spouses attend. If you have high school age children, it is also recommended they attend. Making the move from active duty to retirement is a major change and members of the entire family should be involved.
Question: I’m getting ready to retire. Where should I start?
Answer: Your Retirement Services Officer (RSO) should be your first contact. If the RSO doesn’t handle retirement applications, he or she can direct you to the correct office. The RSO is your expert on retirement rights, benefits, and privileges. To find your RSO, see the link at top of this home page.
Question: I’ve heard there are three retirement systems and the date I initially entered military service (DIEMS) determines which I will fall under. Can you explain?
Answer: For an explanation of the three retired pay formulas and the role the DIEMS date plays in determining which will be used to calculate your retired pay, read the DIEMS Information Paper and Preretirement Counseling Guide on this homepage and go to http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/.
Question: I will be using the “final basic pay” retired pay formula and will retire on 1 January, the same day as an active duty pay raise. Will my retired pay be calculated using the new basic pay scale?
Answer: For soldiers under the “final basic pay” retired pay formula, the answer depends on your retired grade. Enlisted soldiers use the new pay scale. Warrant officers use the old pay scale. Officers retiring voluntarily must qualify for retirement (i.e., complete 20 years) under their retirement law (e.g., Section 3911, Section 3918, etc.) at least 30 days before the pay raise to use the new pay scale. To learn more about this, or to find out about mandatory or disability retirement situations, click on the link below to go to the DOD Financial Management Regulation, DOD 7000.14-R, Volume 7B, Chapter 1, Initial Entitlements – Retirement. Scroll down to para 0104, Uniform Retirement Date Act (URDA) Application. * http://www.dtic.mil/comptroller
Retirement Services Officers
Question: If I’ve already contacted the agency involved (for example, DFAS) and I still have a retirement or survivor-related question or situation which I need resolved, who should I contact?
Answer: A retired Soldier or survivor should always contact the Army Retirement Services Officer (RSO) responsible for the area in which the retired Soldiers or survivor resides. A list of RSOs, by state, and their phone numbers appear on pages 9-10 of every issue of Army Echoes and their names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are also listed in this homepage under * Army Retirement Services Offices.
Retired Pay
Question: How do I change federal or state income tax withholding from my retired pay?
Answer: To change the federal tax withholding, you can submit a Form W4 to DFAS, US Military Retirement Pay, PO Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130. To change your state tax withholding, you can send DFAS a letter indicating the state and the whole dollar amount you want withheld. Amounts of retired pay to be deducted for state income tax must be in multiples of $10.00.
Note: You can also change your tax withholding by accessing your account via myPay at myPay.dfas.mil (customer support for myPay 1-800-390-2348 or (216) 522-5122).
Question: How do I change federal or state income tax withholding from my Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity?
Answer: To change the federal tax withholding, you must submit a W4P to DFAS, US Military Annuitant Pay, PO Box 7131, London, KY 40742-7131. State income tax cannot be withheld from SBP. You can also change your tax withholding by accessing your account via myPay at myPay.dfas.mil (customer support for myPay 1-800-390-2348 or (216) 522-5122).
Question: Why is military retired pay reduced when I start to receive Social Security?
Answer: Military retired pay is NOT reduced because of the receipt of Social Security.
Question: What is the law that covers heroism pay for enlisted personnel?
Answer: Section 3991, Title 10 United States Code provides that enlisted retirees may receive an additional 10% in retired pay (not to exceed 75% of active duty base pay) if cited with extraordinary heroism, e.g., awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, or the Navy Cross.
Question: How do I change one of the allotments from my retired pay?
Answer: Send allotment change requests to DFAS, US Military Retirement Pay, PO Box 7130, London, KY 40742-7130. You can also change allotments by accessing your account via myPay - at myPay.dfas.mil (customer support for myPay 1-800-390-2348 or (216) 522-5122).
Question: I lost my 1099R. How can I get a replacement copy so that I can file my federal and state income tax returns?
Answer: You must contact either * DFAS-CL or your * Retirement Services Officer and request a replacement. With the number of replacement requests received by DFAS-CL, it may be faster to contact your RSO if you reside close to an Army installation or go through myPay at myPay.dfas.mil (customer support for myPay 1-800-390-2348 or (216) 522-5122). For more information on retired pay, go to * http://www.dod.mil/dfas/retiredpay.html
Spouse Benefits
Question: My spouse was Army retired and I now receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Am I entitled to any military benefits?
Answer: Yes. The unremarried surviving spouse (or a surviving spouse who remarried after age 57) of a retiree is entitled to the same benefits as a spouse of a retiree. Contact your * Retirement Services Officer or the nearest military ID card issuing office. (Click here to find the site closest to you.) For more information on VA benefits for surviving spouses, go to * http://www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm
Question: I am retired with 100% disability that offsets all of my retired pay. Will my surviving spouse still be eligible for military benefits?
Answer: Yes. Regardless of type of retirement (Length of Service, disability, mandatory, or voluntary) military benefits to an unremarried surviving spouse are the same. |