Get documents about "RETIREE NEWSLETTER TRAVIS AFB
Document Sample
RETIREE NEWSLETTER
TRAVIS AFB
CALIFORNIA
WINTER 2009
RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE
COUNSELORS
CMSGT A. J. ROCHE CPO DAVE PRUDEN
CMSGT CARL WAGNER MS JOAN WHITE
SMSGT HAROLD PIERRE SGT DONALD CAHAN
SCPO JERRY MCKENNA
JOSEPH R. ROWAN, MSGT, USAF Ret.
Director, Retiree Activities Office
MRAO Coordinator: Bunny Dominguez
Newsletter Editor: SMSgt Harold Pierre
THE RETIREE NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BY THE RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE TO INFORM RETIREES,
ANNUITANTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS RESIDING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OF CHANGES IN LEGISLATION, DOD
POLICIES AND OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING THEIR MILITARY RIGHTS, BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS. THERE IS
ALSO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE AIR BASE. WHILE EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO VERIFY THE CONTENT,
THE RAO STAFF CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION FURNISHED BY OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE BULK RATE
60TH AMW/CVR U.S. POSTAGE PAID
540 AIRLIFT DR. FAIRFIELD, CA
TRAVIS AFB, CA 94535 PERMIT NO. 68
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
January 28, 2009
We are again providing our tax assistance program this year. Unfortunately the
demand has been so great during recent years that all available appointments were
booked by mid-March, and a large number of clients had to be turned away. We
only have two volunteer tax preparers this year, because our third tax preparer is
unavailable due to health reasons. Therefore, we encourage you to schedule your
appointments early to insure availability.
We are still looking for volunteers. We particularly need counselors to man the
office and answer enquiries. Our counselors usually work a three-hour shift per
week. Volunteers are also need at David Grant Medical Center and the Space “A”
Desk in the Base Terminal. If you are interested, give me a call at (707) 424-3905.
Our office is open to all military retirees, their families and annuitants. We are
open five days a week: Mon-Fri, 0900 – 1500 hrs. Our phone number is (707)
424-3904. An answering machine is activated when there is no one in the office.
When leaving a message, please give your name, information requested, and phone
number so that we can return your call.
Joseph M. Rowan, MSgt (Ret), USAF
Director, Retiree Activities Office
RAO Website: http://public.travis.amc.af.mil/units/rao
E-Mail: joseph.rowan@travis.af.mil
2
DFAS 2008 TAX AND ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
Military retirees and annuitants receiving compensation from the Defense Finance
and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2008 tax and account statements
beginning this month. DFAS customers with myPay access will be able to retrieve
their tax statements electronically up to two weeks sooner than those relying on
regular mail delivery. Internal Revenue Service forms 1099Rs and 1099-INTs,
along with retiree and annuitant annual account statements, are projected to be
distributed by the dates in the following table:
*Retirees can view their annual statement now on myPay, and their 1099R
should be posted Dec 18. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service
beginning Dec 16 until the end of the year.
*Annuitants can view their account statement and 1099R via myPay
beginning Dec 18. These documents will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service
beginning Dec 19 until the end of the year.
The statements remain online to allow customers to view and print whenever it is
convenient for them. Also, if they should need copies later in the year, they will
still be available.
Customers who have forgotten their PIN, or wish to open a myPay account, can do
so on the myPay web site at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx. (Courtesy of
DFAS).
DOD APPEALS WIDOW’S BENEFITS DECISION
In 2003, Congress changed the law to restore VA Dependency and Indemnity
Compensation (DIC) payment to previously eligible survivors who remarried after
age 57. Prior to the law change, survivors who remarried lost their DIC regardless
of their age.
Several of those survivors who were eligible for Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
annuities sued the government in 2007, claiming that the specific language of the
new law required continuation of their SBP in addition to the DIC restoration,
without the normal dollar-for-dollar offset.
3
On June 12, 2008, the US Court of Claims issued a summary judgment agreeing
with the widows and directing the Defense Department to restore their SBP
annuities.
On December 15, the Pentagon filed paperwork to appeal the decision to the US
Court of Appeals. DoD doesn’t have to restore the SBP annuities until the appeal
is heard and a final judgment is rendered.
POST-9/11 GI BILL TRANSFERABILITY
Congress gave the Defense Department broad authority to set the rules for
transferring the benefits as a tool to induce retention or reenlistment in the Armed
Forces including the National Guard and Reserves. The Post-9/11 GI Bill program
begins on Aug 1, 2009.
The transfer program will work as follows, assuming an individual has qualifying
Post-9/11 service in the Armed Forces – active duty or service in the Selected
Reserve.
To be eligible to transfer to a spouse or child, a member must:
*Have served at least 6 years in the Armed Forces on the date of election
and agree to serve four additional years from the date; or
*Have at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of
election and be precluded from committing to four additional years by law or
Service/DoD policy. For example, servicemembers subject to high-year tenure
rules and who have 10 years service at the time of election would be eligible.
*Members who are currently retirement eligible or who will become
retirement eligible during the period Aug 1, 2009 through Aug 1, 2012 can also
qualify. “Retirement eligible” means completion of 20 years of active federal
service or completion of 20 years reserve service.
Here’s how the program will work for various cohorts of retirement eligibles:
*For those eligible to retire on or before Aug 1. 2009, no additional service
is required.
*For those eligible for retirement after Aug 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2010,
one year additional service is required.
*For those eligible for retirement after Aug 1, 2010 and before July 1, 2012,
three years additional service is required.
4
*For those eligible for retirement after Aug 1, 2011 and before July 1, 2012,
three years additional service is required.
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR ID CARDS
Recent DEERS terminal upgrades have caused additional requirements for issuing
all ID cards. Members, dependents, contractors and retirees will now be required
to present two forms of ID when requesting a new ID. Below are some commonly
asked questions and answers in regards to the change:
Who is affected?
The new ID applies to uniformed service members and their family members,
retirees and their family members, DoD civilian and contractor personnel and other
eligible personnel.
Who is directing the system change and why is it important?
The change was driven by the Department of Homeland Security. This newest
upgrade to the software is in response to DoD’s need to meet the Federal
Standards.
What’s wrong with the old software/system?
The previous version of the software did not completely meet these standards. The
newest version, along with the additional requirements for proof of eligibility and
identifying source documents brings us in line with Federal Standards.
Do I need a new ID now?
No. Your current ID is valid and will work on any military/DoD installation until
the card’s expiration date. Your card meets the minimum security requirements
currently in place and replacement is not required until expiration or status change.
What documents do I need to provide?
This new ID Card registration process requires two original forms of identity
source documents as prescribed in the list below. Please note you must have at
least one document from List A.
Why weren’t we told about these new requirements before?
5
Until the contractor installed the new equipment and provided training to our
personnel, we were unaware of the latest requirements.
What happens to my documents?
To issue a new ID, the supporting documents mentioned above are scanned and
transmitted to the member’s DEERS record where they are kept on file.
Will I need to provide these documents every time I need a new ID?
If you have been issued an ID in the new system and your scanned documents have
been saved, you will not be required to provide them again until they reach their
individual expiration date. However, because the documents do expire, it is
strongly suggested you have them available for each visit.
List A: Primary Documents
*Military sponsor identification card
*Military dependent identification card
*U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
*State driver’s license – contains your photo and information to include your
name, birthday, gender, height, weight, eye color, and address
*ID card issued by federal, state or government agency – contains your
photo and information to include your name, birthday, gender, height,
weight, eye color, and address
*Foreign identification – contains a photo with your name and birthday at a
Minimum
*U.S. passport (unexpired)
*Foreign passport (unexpired with I-551 stamp or attached I-94)
*Permanent Resident Card with photo (Form I-151 or I-551)
*Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688)
*Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A)
*Unexpired Employment Authorization document issued by DHS with
photo (Form I-688B)
All documents presented must be originals or certified copies. Scanned copies
or receipts are not a valid form of identification.
6
Requests for appointments can be directed to the ID Card Section, Travis AFB, at
424-8483, option 5. For personnel assigned to the 349th Air Mobility Wing and
their units, please phone 424-3245 for questions.
TRICARE FOR LIFE: TOP 10 “NEED-TO-KNOWS”
If you are nearing retirement, transitioning health care coverage should not be a
hassle. As you are preparing to switch to TRICARE for Life (TFL), the following
facts and tips will help you make a seamless transition to TRICARE for Life (TFL)
coverage.
Enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible.
TFL enrollment hinges on enrollment in Medicare Part B. You must remain
enrolled in Medicare Part B (medical care) in order to maintain TRICARE
eligibility.
Keep DEERS up-to-date.
Although Medicare provides data to DEERS, you must maintain your TRICARE
eligibility by keeping DEERS up-to-date any time there is a life changing event,
like becoming eligible for Medicare. Contact DEERS online at
www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl or call toll-free 1-800-538.9552.
Enrollment in TFL is seamless.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you will transition smoothly to TFL
upon your 65th birthday, if you are not receiving Social Security benefits at the
time of your 65th birthday, you will need to visit the nearest Social Security office
and enroll in Medicare.
Medicare authorized providers are also TRICARE authorized.
You can visit any Medicare provider for care since all Medicare providers are also
TRICARE authorized. Simply show your Medicare card and Uniformed Services
ID card at your appointment.
Claims are paid automatically between Medicare and TFL.
As a TFL beneficiary, you will not need to submit a paper claim when you have a
doctor’s visit (in most cases). The provider will submit the claim to Medicare.
Medicare will then submit the claim to TRICARE once the Medicare portion is
paid.
TFL is considered a second payer to Medicare.
7
For services covered by Medicare and TRICARE, Medicare will pay its portion of
the claim and TRICARE will pay the remainder. For services that are covered by
Medicare and not by TRICARE (such as chiropractic care) TRICARE will not
make a payment and the beneficiary will be responsible.
Services covered by TRICARE but not Medicare (such as overseas claims) may be
billed directly to Wisconsin Physicians Services (WPS) and TRICARE will pay as
primary insurer. You will be responsible for any cost shares. Payments for
services that are not covered by either program remain your sole responsibility.
Other health insurance (OHI) coordinates differently with TFL and
Medicare.
TFL beneficiaries who have OHI need to submit their Medicare Summary Notice
with a paper claim and OHI explanation of benefits (EOB) to Wisconsin Physician
Services. The paper claims may be sent to:
Wisconsin Physician Services
TRICARE for Life
P.O. Box 7890
Madison, WI 53707-7890
Enrollment in Medicare Part D is not necessary.
The TRICARE pharmacy benefit is considered creditable coverage and pays
equally to Medicare.
TFL beneficiaries may continue to use any of the TRICARE pharmacy
programs.
You may fill prescriptions at any military treatment facility pharmacy, through the
TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy or through any TRICARE network or non-
network pharmacy.
TRICARE coverage continues for eligible family members after the death of a
sponsor.
Surviving spouses remain eligible for TRICARE unless they remarry. If they
remarry, they lose TRICARE eligibility and cannot regain eligibility later, even in
cases of divorce or death of the new spouse. Unmarried surviving children remain
eligible for TRICARE until their 21st birthday (or 23rd birthday if enrolled in
college full time and if at the time of the sponsor’s death, the sponsor provided
more than 50 percent of the child’s financial support).
8
For more information on TRICARE for Life, please visit www.tricare4u.com or
call Wisconsin Physicians Services toll-free at 1-866-773-0404.
VA ASSISTING VETERANS WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS
For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the VA
offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide
care at no cost.
Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be
able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year’s income is
projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from
service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to
hardship can avoid copays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans
may be eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost.
Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a
combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five-year
“clock” begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the
combat zone.
Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator available
to provide veterans information about these programs. Veterans may also contact
VA’s Health Benefits Service Center at (877) 222-8387 or visit the VA health
eligibility website.
SURVIVORS RECEIVING RETROACTIVE VA PAYMENTS
The VA has identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses or deceased veterans who
should have received a lump-sum payment before the new year to correct an error
in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who had been
previously paid. VA officials are still tracking down eligible survivors. $24
million in payments were released Dec 29.
At issue is a 1996 federal law that makes a surviving spouse eligible to receive the
veteran’s VA compensation or pension benefit for the month of the veteran’s
death. VA officials failed to properly implement that law in all cases.
9
Eligible for the payment are surviving spouses of veterans who died after Dec 31,
1996. The department does not have current addresses for many of them, which
makes the process of contacting them difficult.
VA has established a special Survivor Call Center (800) 749-8387 for spouses who
believe they may be eligible for this retroactive benefit. The call center is open
Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 7:00pm CST.
SBP DISPUTE PERIOD BEGINS
Any military retiree who believes that the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) month
premium counter on their annual Retiree Account Statement is incorrect now has
the opportunity to dispute it. The dispute period ends June 30, 2009. All disputes
must be made by completing a DD Form 2656-11, Statement Certifying Number of
Months of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Premiums Paid, which is available on the
internet in PDF format. Send your completed forms to the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service, P.O. Box 7190, Attn: 2656-11, London, KY 40742-7190.
For more information, contact DFAS at (800) 321-1080.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
(AREA CODE (707)
Accounting & Finance…………………………….. 424-3925
Casualty Reporting…………………………………424-2106
Commissary…………………………………………437-4004
Customer Service (ID Cards)………….…………...424-8466/68/80
Judge Advocate……………………………………..424-3251
Lodging……………………………………...………424-4779
Retiree Activities Office…………………………….424-3904/05
Security Police……………………………….………424-2227
Space “A”……………………………………………424-5703/04
Ticket Tours…………………………………………424-0970
Vehicle Registration…………………………………424-3770
Veterinary Clinic…………………………………….424-3010/2985
60th Medical Group
Information…………………………………………. 423-7300
Appointments……………………………………….. 423-3000
Appointments Toll Free.…………………………… (800) 248-3462
Pharmacy Refills……………………………………. 423-7600
Pharmacy……………………………………………. 423-5345
10
Tricare……………………………………………..... (800) 242-6788
Health Benefits……………………………………… 423-7921
11
