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BRS opt-in period approaches

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kathryn R.C. Reaves
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Blended Retirement system is scheduled to go into effect and the opt-in period begins, Jan. 1, 2018.

Active-duty Airmen with less than 12 years of service or Reserve Airmen with fewer than 4,320 retirement points as of Dec. 31 are eligible to opt-in to the BRS during the period of Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018, or remain under the current legacy retirement plan.

Airmen ineligible due to time-in-service or retirement points will remain under the previous legacy retirement plan; individuals who enlist after the effective date will automatically be enrolled in the BRS.

The new system offers an incentive for Airmen who plan on separating without serving 20 years. The plan offers the opportunity to receive some post-separation pay versus receiving nothing with the legacy plan, which requires Airmen to retire, said Yolanda Williams, 20th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant.

Previously, approximately 81 percent of service members separated from the military and without receiving retirement benefits. Under the new plan, about 85 percent of service members may receive partial retirement benefits if they serve more than two years.
Individuals interested in learning about how the two retirement plans affect them are encouraged to meet with financial counselors at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Counselors can help Airmen compare how each plan may benefit them in retirement by using financial calculators, said Linda Walker, Military and Family Life Consultant Program financial counselor.

To aid eligible Airmen in making an educated decision about the BRS, an Opt-In course is available on Joint Knowledge Online via the Air Force Portal.

Once the opt-in period begins in 2018, Airmen can choose to elect the BRS via MyPay.