... in response to 5 months and all is well, posted by Peter Lee on Oct 12, 2004

Whomever told you that at the AFB was so full of dookey their eyes are brown. They have survivor benefit plan open enrollment periods at intervals. I retired single and I got Honey in on an open enrollment period. You need to talk to DEERS as well. Does she have her military ID card yet? That makes her eligible for Tricare, BX/Commissary privilidges and all that, even after you die (so long as she does not remarry or go back to the Philippines, and maybe even if she does, I don't know about that). Tricare for her costs you $300 per year but that is better than nothing. When you get medicare, add part B and you get to keep your tricare for life instead of the VA care, which is usually substandard. You can still choose to receive VA compentsation for your disabilities and it is tax-free (so far, I don't trust Kerry on that one). You do not have to get your care at the VA to get comp, you can use your tricare benefits. VA comp is also usually more than what you draw in retirement pay, too, depending on the rank you carried when you retired and the level of your disability. If you retired with 20 years of service, you can draw BOTH VA compensation AND retired pay, depending on circumstances (I do). That is a new law. You should have gotten that poop in your periodical retired pay newsletters. You have to be examined by the VA, but it would be worth your while. The VA may rate you higher than the military did, they have different guidelines, but at 50% with a spouse, you would draw about $709 per month along with, or instead of, retired pay (depending). Go to www.va.gov and you can find out a lot of stuff, get pamphlets, electronic application for benefits and all that. Then go to your nearest VA facility and talk to one of their benefits counselors. There is way too much stuff to go over here. The VA also does have special Agent Orange programs and compensation. Several diseases you may have now or may get are linked to AO.

And talk to someone who knows what the &*%$ they are talking about at the AFB, or else contact DoD directly. Ask them when the next open enrollment period is, and also when the last one was (if they say there hasn't been one in a long time they are lying through their teeth). DEERS may also be able to assist you in that area. The AFB people can give you the toll-free number to DEERS.

I am a Viet Nam vet and retired, with a service-connected (combat) disability. Don't let the AF give you the run around. They're trying to protect their budget. If the VA gives you rating trouble, you can authorize the VFW or another organization to represent you at hearings. It is also important to get these things done (military ID for wife and VA compensation), because if you have kids they are eligible for all sorts of benefits from a retired GI dad, even (and in some cases especially) if you pass on while they are still minors. College living expenses,outright college grants and other things not only from the feds but also from your state government. You'd be surprised at the benefits to a disabled vet's/retiree's children.

** senior citizen **
(retired Marine and in receipt of disability pay)

... in response to SBP, posted by Ray on Oct 13, 2004

Yeah, but open enrollment dates are mostly for those who got married, or remarried, since retirement. Especially those who were single when they retired. Since I was single (never married) when I retired, I did not have to pay the cash premium, so it made sense for us.

I agree that SBP isn't all that hot, but every little bit helps and he did ask about it by name. I recommend he begin a real retirement account right now, pay it up to the max, and also get her into a money-market or index fund of some sort.

However, being able to draw retirement PLUS VA is attractive. If he is of the Viet Nam era, his disability retirement is non-taxable, and if he had 20 years in he should be able to draw both pensions. In my case the VA money eventually became more than the retirement pay, so I put the retirement pay straight into Honey's retirement account.

I also suggest he get good term insurance. Military Benefit Association has decent term insurance, and they are the ones I use, but it could be any of several.

I got prime for Honey but I use the old Tricare For Life thing for me. Because, since I also draw Medicare A & B, I can go to a civilian hospital if I want.

... in response to Re: 5 months and all is well, posted by senior citizen on Oct 13, 2004

...that I am missing something?  I served during Nam but I was stationed in Fuerth, Germany (Darby Kaserne, 1/94th FA, 2nd Armored Div.) the whole enlistment (3 years).  I've never tried for any benefits other than education (i is now an kollege eddumacated engamaneer).  Unfortunately I've been told my credit is so bad that I can't use the VA Home loan guarantee (the heart attack and following 11 months of unemployment caused me to declare bankruptcy).  

But is there something I should be qualifying Honey and AJ on?

Bear+

... in response to 5 months and all is well, posted by Peter Lee on Oct 12, 2004

Hello Peter:

It's good to hear from you.  I wondered where you had been.  Glad to hear things are going so well.

Stephen