New Military Retirement System Effective Jan. 1, 2018
Opt-in Period for Eligible Service Members Opens
19 December 2017
One of the most wide-reaching and significant changes to military pay and benefits of the last 70 years goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, with the implementation of the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System (BRS). The new system blends aspects of the traditional
defined benefit retirement pension system, with a defined
contribution system of automatic and matching government contributions through the
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). All new entrants into the uniformed services on or after Jan. 1, 2018, will be enrolled in this new retirement system.
Nearly 1.6 million current service members will have the option to remain in the current legacy high-3 retirement system or choose the BRS when the opt-in period for eligible service members opens on Jan. 1, 2018.
Opt-in eligible service members from all seven of the uniformed services will have an entire year to make their retirement system election. The open period for the majority of service members is from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2018.
Service members will need to visit one of these designated resources to opt into BRS:
Army, Air Force, Navy:
MyPay (https://mypay.dfas.mil)
Marine Corps:
Marine Online (MOL) (https://www.mol.usmc.mil)
Coast Guard, NOAA Commissioned Corps:
Direct Access (https://portal.direct-access.us)
U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS): Contact the USPHS Compensation Branch
Service members who believe they are eligible to opt-in, but do not see the opt-in option available online, should contact their local personnel/human resources office to verify eligibility. The decision to opt-in is irrevocable, even if a service member changes his mind before the deadline on Dec. 31, 2018. If an eligible service member takes no action, she will remain in the legacy retirement system.
Prior to opting in, service members should take advantage of all available resources to assist in making an informed decision on the financial implications specific to their retirement situation. The DOD endorses several training and informational tools to support a service member's decision, to include the BRS
Opt-In Course, the BRS
Comparison Calculator and numerous online BRS
resource materials. Service members can receive no-cost, personal support from accredited personal financial managers or counselors available at installation Military and Family Support Centers, or by calling Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647.
The change to the retirement system is a key step in modernizing the uniformed services' ability to recruit, retain and maintain an all-volunteer force in the 21st century. For more information about BRS, visit
http://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement.
Editor's Note: To learn more about the Blended Retirement System click on the following links. The Blended Retirement System, Online Resources, and Continuation Pay.