Chapter Leaders Symposium Select Benefit Topics September 2016 Presented by Shane Ostrom, CFP Lt Col, USAF (Ret) Deputy Director, Benefits Info Department Military Officers Association of America
What s on your mind?... Benefits Which specific programs? Financial SBP Survivor issues DIC Personal affairs Former spouse personal or chapter level Remarriage Corporate employee benefits VA Military transition to civilian life DFAS Medicare Tricare Social Security
The Financial and Benefits Information Office
Our Mission The Benefits and Financial Information Office Recruit, Retain & Serve MOAA members and families thru accurate, timely, comprehensive communications: Presentations Print / Electronic Media Member Service Benefits Counseling Financial Education
Who s Who in our office Vice President Jim Carman, CAPT, USN Ret. Director Career Transition and Members Services Brian Anderson, Col, USAF Ret. Paul Frost, CAPT, USN Ret. Shane Ostrom CFP, LtCol, USAF Ret.
Presentations To Inform & Educate Conduct 120 Presentations a year: Base Retiree Appreciation Days A/D Transition Seminars G/R Benefits Seminars Legislative-Benefits Updates Financial Education Spouse Outreach MOAA Chapter Visits
Financial and Benefits Info Opens Doors Financial Education Active Duty Transition Seminars Active Duty Career Courses MOAA Chapters Web-based Financial Education Center Provides timely financial information on broad range of topics Conference presentations In support of base programs (like Retiree Appreciation days), career fairs, chapter events Answers Members Inquiries General financial planning topics
Print and Electronic Media Military Officer Magazine Rapid Fire features Financial Forum Feature articles on financial and health education News Exchange Bi-weekly online news letter Benefits Information Articles Financial Education Articles Financial, Benefits, Health Care & Spouse Web Content Web general topic articles of a timeless nature BLOG more specific and timely issues Publications & Checklists
Publications New!... Concurrent Receipt Guide
Member Services Expertise for AD, G/R, Retired, Survivors & Families in: Military Benefits TRICARE Social Security / Medicare Veterans Affairs Corporate benefits Financial Education and Consumer Advice Personal Affairs Research & Publications Spouse and Family Issues
Personal Affairs
Personal Affairs Personal Level Gather Information Today Get the Facts: Use creditable sources Review Annually
Personal Affairs Personal Level Get Your Personal Affairs in order Update your Will, Trust, Living Will Gather Documentation Complete Personal Affairs Guide
Personal Affairs Personal Level Documentation Readily Available Birth Certificates Marriage Certificates Divorce Decree Changes in name User and Passwords Death Certificate Separation Documents DD Form 214 Retirement Orders Safe deposit boxes Use the MOAA Personal Affairs Action Guide
Plan for Your Digital Estate Valued web pages Collections of pictures Web-based business E-bay storefront PayPal accounts Social Media Pictures, movies... Create an Inventory Know the user/password for all sites: Accounts Shopping Emails Business sites Social media Documents Computer log-in Ensure trusts, POAs and wills provide access to digital assets to key survivors
Service Records Order on-line at www.archives.gov/veterans/ Phone: 1-866-272-6272 Mail Use SF-180; get form on-line, VSO, VA, or request at: National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138 Mailing addresses are on the form Fax form to 314-801-9195
Personal Affairs Personal Level Money set aside For surviving spouse 60-90 days Immediate living expenses after sponsor s death
Personal Affairs Committees Chapter Level Why PA Committees? Chapter s first response for member care & information Chapter Population is Aging Survivor Assistance is Needed Reference Source Close to Home
Help Your Survivors Now! Potential Financial Benefits Entitlements Personal Affairs Personal Affairs Workbook Checklist
Military Burial Guide Arlington National Cemetery State/Overseas/VA Cemeteries Entitlements to Interment Available On-Line only
How You Can Help Stay Informed Advocate to improve benefit shortfalls Promote our services, tools & publications Recommend us as Speakers Network w/local AD, G/R, Ret. & Spouse/Family activities Supplement our support with POC s in local organizations for your membership Provide feedback - let us know: Your questions & concerns How we can improve Support Your Chapters Personal Affairs Committees Survivor Liaisons
Veteran Affairs
General VA Topics Work with a Veteran Service Office (VSO) Your County VSO or MOAA s VSO office Not always about the service member Your situation can translate to survivor benefits Some don t know about concurrent receipt They haven t applied to VA because they still think retired pay will be docked Don t work with a private firm It s a scheme to gain financial info access and cross sale products
Special Health Registry Programs Agent Orange Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Gulf War Registry (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn) Ionizing Radiation Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center Camp Lejeune toxic water
Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) The VA s survivor benefit plan apply after death One, fixed monthly tax-free amount for all eligibles $1254 Amount can be more based on veteran s disability status, children, A&A or Housebound eligibility ($150 to $300mo) Requirements: Veteran s death Service-connected OR Veteran rated P&T 10 years prior to death or within 5 years of discharge or POW
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Programs Not as easy as you may think Must qualify for VA Pension, DIC, survivor pension Low-income program plus see yellow box A&A and Housebound increase Pension payments Need for long term care assistance increases income needs and can help qualify Wartime vet AND Age 65 or older, OR Totally and permanently disabled, OR A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR Receiving Supplemental Security Income
CHAMPVA VA Health Care for Families Family Members of Veterans who meet one of the following: Permanent & Total disability (service-connected) Service-connected death Died while rated Permanent and Total No Tricare eligibles Medicare eligibles must have Parts A&B CHAMPVA will be second payer
CHAMPVA VA Health Care for Families Effect of Remarriage Prior to age 55; lose CHAMPVA At 55 or +; keep it Remarriage Terminates CHAMPVA Restored
Let s Talk Military Benefits The Latest Info on Your Benefits
Tricare Update
TRICARE/TFL The TRICARE Health Plan Serves more than 9.2 million beneficiaries! Standard Fee for service Extra Preferred Provider Prime Managed care (HMO) Prime Remote TRICARE For Life (TFL) Eligible for Medicare Part A Enrolled in Medicare Part B Valid Military ID Card
Military Retiree Health Coverage (Under Age 65) TRICARE Standard (Fee For Service) $150/$300 Deductible 20-25% Outpatient Copay $250/Day or 25% Inpatient Copay (network) On Your Own to Find Doctor TRICARE Prime (HMO) $282/$565 Annual Enrollment Fee Copay: $12 Outpatient/$11 Inpatient Guaranteed Access Standards
TRICARE -- Pharmacy Benefit Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Tricare Retail Pharmacy (TRRx) Home Delivery Not available if covered by another drug plan Out of Tricare network retail pharmacy
Point of Service Rx Co-Pays Generics Brand Name MTF $0 $0 $0 Non- Formulary Home Delivery (<90 day supply) Retail Network (<30 day supply) $0 $20 $49 $10 $24 $50 Non- Network (Annual Ded. Must Be Met) Greater of $24 or 20% of total cost Greater of $24 or 20% of total cost Greater of $50 or 20%
Tricare For Life Issues Tricare is a Medicare Supplement Tricare invisible to health care community Just find a Medicare doctor No need to mention Tricare Additional coverage adds complexities Probably over insured
2016 Medicare Part B Premiums INCOME (Based on 2013 Tax Filing) Single Filer Married Filing Jointly Monthly Premium per Person $85,000/below $170,000/below $121.80 85,001-107,000 170,001 214,000 $170.50 107,001 160,000 214,001 320,000 $243.60 160,001 214,000 320,001 428,000 $316.70 Above 214,000 Above 428,000 $389.80
Medicare Part D Benefit Military Retirees and Their Spouses or Survivors DO NOT NEED to Participate in Medicare Part D Programs
Mail-Order/MTF Refill Requirement Required to use mail-order for maintenance med refills only Can still use military pharmacy Retail pharmacy allowed until Mail-order started Having another pharmacy plans negates this requirement Possible exemptions (as judged by DOD): Nursing home patients Emergencies Hardships Special needs
Health Care Hodge-Podge Tricare dental www.trdp.org Mail Order pharmacy www.tricare.mil/prescriptions or (877) 363-1303 Eye glasses Naval Ophthalmic Support & Training Activity Free glasses limited selection Web: www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/ Email at: usn-nostra-customer-service@mail.mil Phone at (757) 887-7600 Option 1 Long Term Care Federal Long Term Care program www.ltcfeds.com
Hearing Aids Retiree At Cost Hearing Aid Program Available at some base Audiology Clinics Call in advance, travel and lodging not included Usually a 2-day process Cost is greatly reduced-- <$1000ish Web: http://militaryaudiology.org/aids/ Also check with VA must be Service-connected
Survivor Benefit Program (SBP)
SBP: Social Security Offset Eliminated SS Offset phased out April 2008 Annuity payment is now: 55%* 55% is the max payout *Of Annuity Base Amount elected at retirement
Paid-Up SBP 360 Months of Payments >70 years of Age No beneficiary, no premiums, no credit toward paid-up benefit
The SBP-DIC Offset; Still Not Fixed Social Security Offset was eliminated The SBP-DIC Offset was not Offset is dollar-for-dollar: SBP $ - DIC $ SBP Benefit
Congress Admits SBP-DIC Offset Inequity 2008 and 2009 First Legislative Steps Established Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance (SSIA) 2008: Starting 2009, extra $50/mo payment with $10/mo added each yr for 5 yrs (2013) 2009: Extended SSIA 2014 2017; $150, $200, $275, $310 All SSIA stops in 2018 (work in progress)
Reserve Component SBP RC-SBP has two premium payments The RC portion for Gray Zone coverage Active portion for after age 60 Both paid at age 60 After member death RC premium stops now recent change
Social Security Survivor Benefits Widow or widower, full retirement age or older Full benefit Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age Reduced amount Disabled widow or widower, age 50 through 59 Reduced amount Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age 16 Reduced amount A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled Reduced amount
Permanent ID Cards As of FY 2005... Spouses & Survivors 75 & Older Began Sep 05 As of FY 2007... Disabled dependents Began Jan 07 Strings atchd Financial support statement still required
The Effects of Remarriage on Benefits & Programs for Surviving Spouses
Military Benefits Upon Death of Military Member Surviving Spouse remains eligible for all benefits (medical care, commissary, exchange, theater, etc.) Except space-available travel
Military Benefits Effect of Remarriage (to a non-service member) Upon remarriage All military benefits suspended
Military Benefits Remarriage Terminates all benefits except medical will be reinstated (if subsequent marriage ends in death or divorce)
Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Upon Death of Military Member If elected SBP SBP Payments Begin
SBP Effect of Remarriage Before Age 55 SBP Payments Suspended Remarriage Terminates SBP Payments Reinstated
SBP Effect of Remarriage On or After Age 55 SBP Continues
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) DIC is awarded to a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran: If the death is attributed to an injury or disease incurred on active duty Or - If the retiree had 100% VA disability rating 10+ years 5 continuous years from release of active duty Or - Former POW rated 100% one year prior to death
DIC Effect of Remarriage Before Age 57 DIC Suspended On/After Age 57 DIC continues Remarriage Terminates DIC Reinstated
DIC & SBP Offset SBP is reduced One $ for each $ received in DIC SBP premiums reimbursed IF DIC is applied for within 1 year of service member s death
SBP & DIC Effect of Remarriage Before Age 55 SBP & DIC Suspended
SBP & DIC Effect of Remarriage On or After Age 55 but Before Age 57 DIC Suspended & SBP Increased*
SBP & DIC Effect of Remarriage On or After Age 57 BOTH SBP and DIC Paid In Full Thanks to the Sharp Case
Social Security Upon Death of Military Member Can receive Social Security Survivor Benefits Reduced rate Age 60
Social Security Effect of Remarriage Before Age 60 Not Eligible on Members Record Remarriage Terminates Eligibility Restored
Social Security Effect of Remarriage After Age 60 No Effect on Social Security Entitlements
CHAMPVA Effect of Remarriage Lose CHAMPVA Remarriage Terminates CHAMPVA Restored
Question & Answer and Sharing
Military Officers Association of America Financial and Benefits Information 201 N. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314-2539 1 800 234-6622 Email: BenInfo@moaa.org Web: www.moaa.org