AUSA Led the Way – Past Successes
- Prevention of new co-pays and fees for under 65 TRICARE beneficiaries \
- Elimination of the SBP – Social Security offset
- Approval of concurrent receipt
- Waiver of the Medicare Part B penalties for military Retired Soldiers(part of the Medicare legislation)
- TRICARE for Life for over 65 Retired Soldiers and the Pharmacy Benefit for all beneficiaries
- Reduction of the Catastrophic cap from $7500 to $3000
- Elimination of financial penalties for federally employed Retired Soldiers
- Full funding of TRICARE/Pharmacy Programs for all beneficiaries
Army tests a new way to help surviving spouses
(Retired Soldiers Casualty Assistance Officers pilot program counties around Beaufort, S.C., Hinesville and Savannah, Ga. and all of Florida except the panhandle)
WASHINGTON — Last year, the Army asked for Retired Soldiers to volunteer to serve as Casualty Assistance Officers in a pilot program that provides casualty assistance services to the surviving spouses of other Retired Soldiers. Over 550 Retired Soldiers volunteered.
Ft. Stewart, Ga. was selected as the location for the pilot, which began on Aug. 1. This pilot program will provide casualty assistance services to surviving spouses living in the coastal counties around Beaufort, S.C., Hinesville and Savannah, Ga. and all of Florida except the panhandle.
The pilot program isn’t just about helping surviving spouses navigate the maze of federal benefits, rules, and forms in their time of need. It’s also about the Retired Soldiers who will provide these services for free to the surviving spouses. Almost 50 Retired Soldiers living in the Ft. Stewart service area volunteered to provide these services during the pilot. They’ll receive specialized training before providing services.
If you know the surviving spouse of a Retired Soldier who recently died while living in the area listed above, ask them to call the Ft. Stewart Casualty Assistance Center at (912) 767-7255 or (912) 767-1152.
If you know a Retired Soldier living in the area listed above who would like to volunteer as a Retired Soldier Casualty Assistance Officer, please ask them to contact the Ft. Stewart Retirement Services Office at (912) 767-5013 or (912) 767-0418.
Take Advantage of New Resources Through the TRICARE Overseas Program
Did you know the TRICARE Overseas Program made changes on Sept. 1 to improve your patient experience? You now have access to a wide range of new resources to help you get the care you need. Here's a closer look at what's changed and how it can help you and your family.
SBP School Certification Season is approaching and there are some great improvements this year!
Children between the ages of 18-22, who receive the DOD Survivor Benefit Plan annuity while attending school on a full-time basis, will soon receive their annual school certification packets containing a letter of instruction, DD Form 2788, and a Child Annuitant Past Attendance self-certification letter.
Certification is required to continue to receive the SBP annuity, which often pays for school.
New this year is the self-certification letter pre-populated with the prior school year’s information. No more need for a school form or school certification. The child annuitant just signs and returns the letter to DFAS. And no more certifying each semester. Only once a year now.
Also new is the DFAS Form 2788 Wizard that ‘takes the form out of the form.’ Just answer the questions asked on the website and the form is created. Like TurboTax. The child annuitant can also electronically sign and submit the form online.
Last new feature? The digital status notification that updates the child when their form is received, assigned, and whether it was able to be completed or not.
This is taking the pain out of SBP school certification.
Resources for Retired Soldiers
- U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook (2021)
- VA - Service Members Benefits
- VA - Separating/Retiring Benefits
- TRICARE Dental Program Enrollees Receive Annual Maximum Increase (2021)
- TRICARE Revises Telehealth Policy to Respond to COVID-19
- Military Hospital and Clinic Operations: COVID-19 Myths vs. Facts
- TRICARE Catastrophic Cap Refund Update
- Army Emergency Relief (AER) during COVID-19
- Access VA Care from Home (COVID-19)
- TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration (ACD). COVID-19
- 2019-2020 Retirement Planning Guide
- VA - Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
- VA - Federal Compensation Rates (2021)
- VA - Survivors Pension Rates (2021)
- VA - Welcome Kit
- VA Mission Act
- MyArmyBenefits (Retirement, Survivor Benefits, Deployment, Disability Income)
- Army Retirement Services Officers
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Human Resources Command - Reserve Component Retirement
- Military Records Request
- National Resource Directory: An Online Partnership for Wounded, Ill, and Injured Servicemembers, Veterans, Their Families, and Those Who Support Them
- Social Security Administration
- Social Security Benefits for Veterans
- Soldier for Life
- TRICARE Regions: TRICARE East / TRICARE West
- TRICARE Benefit Resources (2021)
- TRICARE Costs Sheet (2021)
- TRICARE for Retired Soldiers
- Federal Employees Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP)
- VA Burials and Memorials
- VA Claims Process
- VA GI Bill
- VA GI BILL Comparison Tool
- Veteran ID Card
- Veteran's Guide to Starting a Business
Retired Soldier Newsletter Archive
View Archive of Retired Soldier Newsletters
Retirement Planning Guide
AUSA wants to help you and your Family through what can be a challenging and even stressful time as you prepare for retirement. You owe it to yourself and to your family to be as well prepared as possible to enjoy the retirement you have earned.
MyArmyBenefits is the official army benefits website. Forecast your retirement benefits. Calculate estimates of your survivor and survivor education benefits.
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