Photo By Master Sgt. Latonya Kelly | The 63rd RD Command Chief, Chief Warrant Officer Belynda Lindsey awards former 63rd RD...... read more read more
LAS VEGAS ----The 63rd Readiness Division Retirement Services Office hosted a pre-retirement training event with the Nevada Army National Guard and U.S. Army Human Resources Command, April 16.
Several community partners, retiring Soldiers and spouses attended to discuss medical, dental, TRICARE, VA, and social security benefits and entitlements. The partnership involving the Nevada Army National Guard provided a three-layered training perspective for National Guard, active duty, and reserve service members.
Detailed briefings offered in-depth explanations of retirement points, retired pay process, and an assortment of benefits. Soldiers received individual assistance with correcting retirement points, pay inquiries, and pending medical and dental concerns.
Throughout the briefings, Soldiers anxiously sat with an array of retirement questions pertaining to future benefits that could financially impact their livelihood.
“Each briefing was informative because it provided specifics, not just general knowledge. This training gave me the tools to go back and spread the wealth, inevitably becoming a force multiplier,” stated Master Sgt. Hector Sato, 11th BN ARCD.
The 63rd RD RSO team issued out retirement training guidebooks for each attendee. The books presented step-by-step guidance with pre-retirement checklists that ensure Soldiers are on the right track nine months before transferring to the retired reserve.
The books also revealed info about the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) and how to correctly apply for retired pay benefits without assuming it’s an automatic disbursement after receiving retirement orders.
During the training, a selected few service members already received a 20-year retirement letter and used the training material to assist with applying for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and TRICARE retiree health plan options.
Leticia Smith, a supportive U.S. Army retired spouse of 1st Sgt. Jeffery Smith, 1st BDE PAC DIV, 84th Training Command, spoke about the advantages of having useful tools and resources while approaching retirement.
“This pre-retirement training is providing excellent preparation for my husband’s retirement after serving for 37 years and it’s vastly different from past experiences when I retired in 2015.
Smith spoke highly about learning newfound information with her husband even without being granted with the same materials previously.
“This retirement book serves as my blueprint planning guide for retirement survival because the closer I get to retirement everything feels slightly overwhelming, said Sato.
The retirement training guide book was prepared by Maj. Michelle Chillis, 63rd RD RSO Chief Programs and Services Executive Officer and Sgt. 1st Class Maureen Tweedly-Payne, 63rd RD RSO NCOIC. A directory is included, guiding attendees to personnel and resources from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command.
Vance Crawley, U.S. Army HRC Chief for Reserve Component Retirements Branch, delivered a presentation about correcting points accumulated throughout a military career and how to use the MyArmyBenefits website to access the calculator for all components.
“It’s imperative that we inform Soldiers about the criteria for a qualifying year before retirement,” said Crawley.
The MyArmyBenefits website is the U.S. Army official benefits website that gives comprehensive and up-to-date fact sheets on retirement benefits, changes, legal advice, medical appointments, and links to all major military installations.
Soldiers have access to the website 24/7 and may opt to utilize the disability rating estimator to calculate the VA disability ratings based on military or combat related injuries and degree of severity.
“I look forward to using the MyArmyBenefits website and resources from this event to help me plan for my future,” expressed 1st Sgt. Smith.
This training event is the first time that 63rd RD RSO team has partnered with the U.S. Army National Guard and welcomed nine Nevada ARNG service members and retirement subject matter expert, Sgt. 1st Class Carmen Montes, State Retirement NCOIC.
After presentations from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and Social Security Administration, the team representatives opened the floor for remarks and questions from soldiers and spouses.
The 63rd RD RSO team ended the training awarding former 63rd RD Department Human Resources Sgt. Maj., Master Sgt. Diane James with a Legion of Merit after serving 35 years in the military.
The pre-retirement training also awarded service members with having direct access to community partners, resources, and retirement professionals as they embark on a well-focused plan for the future.
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2018 17:21 |
| Story ID: | 274118 |
| Location: | LAS VEGAS, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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