LANG Human Resources Office

03/13/2026

Calling all Fed Techs!
Federal Employee (T32/T5) Pre-Retirement Brief @ Camp Beauregard Post Theater, Pineville, LA - 19 March @ 0900

Followed by M-Day Pre-Retirement Brief @ 1300

03/10/2026

TSP Training Opportunities for March available at https://www.tsp.gov/online-learning/ … covers loans, distributions, death benefits and more. First class is today at 1200 CST!

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve. It was established by Congress in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 and offers the same types of savings and tax be...

02/03/2026

UPDATE: the new ORA training from ABC-C has been postponed to 10 FEB at 9 am CST. If you are retiring in the next year, make plans to attend!!

📢 RESCHEDULED 📢

Attention federal civilians! 👋

The ABC-C Pre-Retirement brief on the Online Retirement Application overview, originally scheduled for today, has been moved to a new date and time.

📅 New Date: February 10
⏰ New Time: 9 a.m. Central

The good news? The MS Teams link is the SAME! ✅

Get the link to this important session by clicking here 👉 https://go.mil/abc_c_preretirementbenefitsoverview

Don't miss out on this valuable information to help you prepare for your retirement journey! 🌴☀️

01/31/2026

Update from ABC-C regarding retirement application processing.

Update for Army-serviced federal civilians past or nearing retirement,

We know that waiting for your retirement package to be processed can be stressful and an uncertain time. We want to provide you with a transparent update on the current situation and reassure you that our team at the Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) is working tirelessly on your behalf.

Due to a high volume of applications and other factors beyond our control, we are experiencing delays in processing retirements for those with December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026 retirement dates.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀:
🔘 December 2025: Over 1,200 retirements remaining.
🔘 January 2026: More than 500 retirements remaining.
🔘 February 2026: Over 300 retirements remaining.
🔘 Although we have completed almost 2K so far in January, we have received almost 800 new applications.
🔘 Received more than 16K calls to the Phone Center

Your ABC-C team ( 💪) is working diligently, well above traditional expectations, to process every retirement application, estimate, benefit transaction and answer calls and inquiries as quickly and accurately as possible.

We want to assure you that you are considered retired as of the date you selected, even while your package is being processed. You will not be contacted by a Benefits Specialist unless there is an issue with your package or once it is completed. When it is finalized, you will receive a notification to the personal email address you provided. If you have an ORA case, you can track its status directly on your ORA dashboard.

We have compiled a list of the top frequently asked questions to address some of your immediate concerns.
❓When will I get my Annual Leave Payout? 𝗔: We cannot provide a specific date for your annual leave payout. This is triggered by the generation of your SF-50, which your Benefits Specialist will complete once your package is finalized. The payout from DFAS will occur after that.
❓What is the retirement timeline? 𝗔: Retirements are typically a 3-5 month process after your separation date. For a detailed overview, please see the OPM retirement guide: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/apply/quick-guide/. Due to the sheer volume of applications, please plan for delays at ABC-C, DFAS and OPM.
❓Am I covered by my health or life insurance? 𝗔: Your eligible health and insurance elections will continue automatically. Due to the high volume of cases, there may be a delay in receiving your full annuity. OPM will issue interim payments once they receive your case, and your annuity will be backdated, with insurance premiums adjusted accordingly.
❓What about my Dental or Vision coverage? 𝗔: Your FEDVIP coverage will continue automatically. You may receive direct bills from BENEFEDS, which you must pay to maintain coverage until deductions from your annuity start. For questions, contact BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-3337.
❓How do I reach you? 𝗔: If you have a concern that could change your benefit elections or retirement information, please submit an inquiry via the 'Contact Us' section on our homepage: https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc.

The Army Civilians at ABC-C are processing packages non-stop to ensure all our federal employees receive their hard-earned benefits. We will get through this together and we sincerely ask for your continued patience.

01/22/2026

TODAY! Learn how to request your retirement estimate from ABC-C & how to understand it!

01/14/2026

Important information regarding GRB data sync pause from ABC-C.

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT for Army-Serviced Federal Civilians Regarding the GRB Platform!
Please be advised that effective Jan. 9, 2026 the GRB Platform will have a temporary hold on data syncs and all benefit transactions to accommodate essential technical updates.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?
All data synchronization in GRB and transaction processing will be paused so the necessary system adjustments for the 2026 pay increase and glitches from the recent furlough can be resolved.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮: Your information in the GRB Platform will not be updated during this period.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱: All pending and any newly submitted benefit transactions will not be processed until the system is back online. This includes new Qualifying Life Event (QLE) changes.
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: For those who made FEHB changes during Open Season, your forms were sent to the carriers 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻. 𝟭𝟭, however it will still show pending in GRB.
𝗢𝗥𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀🆗: We will still be able to view ORA requests submitted during this time. This primarily effects benefit transaction.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:
This hold is effective immediately and is expected to conclude 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 Wednesday, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 28, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
Impact on Benefit Elections and Claims:
For those who are making QLE changes:
🚫Your elections will not be reflected in GRB until after the data syncs resume.
⏳𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗤𝗟𝗘𝘀.
💵You may incur initial out-of-pocket expenses for services. You will be able to refile these claims for reimbursement once your plan coverage is updated in the system.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as the GRB platform is updated.
Please contact Army Benefits Center - Civilian 👉 https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc or your designated CHRSC point of contact. Please share this information and tag someone who needs to know and follow our page for updates.

12/12/2025

Federal Employees: remember, there is a new process to apply for retirement voluntary or discontinued service retirement. If you are thinking about retiring, please contact HRO to help you get started!

📢 Important Reminder: Retiring from federal service through the Army requires a two-step process.
You can't directly apply for retirement using OPM's Online Retirement Application (ORA) portal right away. The first step involves getting access to begin the retirement process through ABC-C. Once your access is approved, then you can initiate your application through the ORA Portal.

All new retirements (excluding disability retirements and those with combined NAF/APF time) will be processed through the ORA.
Access to ORA is NOT automatic. You must request ORA access through GRB. This is NOT the same as the old Retirement Application Process (RAP) also on GRB. (If you see the RAP button, don't use it!)
Here's how to request your ORA account six months prior to your retirement date:
1️⃣. Access the Government Retirement and Benefits Platform (GRB Platform): https://abc.chra.army.mil and click the GRB icon.
2️⃣. Download the ORA Account Request Form: Click the Resource Library (book icon) and download the ‘ORA Account Request Form’. Complete the form.
3️⃣. Submit Your Request: Click the ‘Requests’ (chat bubble icon) at the Top Left. In the Requests Tab, click the ‘New Requests’ button and select “Online Retirement Application Request” from the drop-down menu. Upload your completed ORA Account Request Form.
4️⃣. Wait for Processing: An HR Specialist at the ABC-C will review your request to determine retirement eligibility.
5️⃣. Receive ORA Access Instructions: You will then receive further instructions for accessing the Office of Personnel Management's new Online Retirement System Application.
🧐Important Exclusions: This new process does not currently apply to those applying for:
• Disability Retirement
• Retirement with combined Nonappropriated Fund/Appropriated Fund (FERS/CSRS) time.
These employees should continue to follow current processes pending further guidance.
Need more information❓ Visit https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc and type "retirement" in the search bar.

11/26/2025

Tune in to WWL Radio AM870 or FM105.3 at 10:30am to hear Major General Thomas Friloux (The Adjutant General of Louisiana) talk about Christmas at Jackson Barracks on December 6 & 7. If you miss it we will post interview later today in comments section. www.jbchristmas.com

11/15/2025

Federal Employees, don’t miss out on Open Season!

🚨 Federal Civilians: Don't Miss Out on Open Season! 🚨

Confused about your federal benefits? Want to make the most informed choices during this Open Season? The Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) is here to help!

We're hosting informative webinars designed to break down all the Open Season topics that matter to you. Whether you're a seasoned federal employee or just starting out, these presentations are perfect for understanding your options and maximizing your benefits!

Join us for the following sessions (all times Central):

Nov. 13, 1 p.m.: FBOS FEHB Overview (Federal Employees Health Benefits)
Nov. 18, 7 a.m.: FBOS FEDVIP/FSA (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program & Flexible Spending Accounts)
Nov. 25, 7 a.m.: Federal Benefit Open Season (FBOS) Overview
Dec. 4, 3 p.m.: FBOS FEHB Overview
Dec. 8, 1 p.m.: FBOS FEDVIP/FSA (Open Season closes for FEHB at 11:59 p.m.!)
Ready to learn more and secure your spot?

➡️ Visit our website and search "OPEN SEASON" to get the webinar links: https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc

Don't leave money on the table! Take advantage of these valuable resources from the ABC-C. We're here to support you in making the best choices for your health and financial well-being.

06/13/2025

Join us in celebrating Mr. Jino Papania’s retirement from federal service on June 27!

05/09/2024

Mr. Jino Papania recently celebrated a major milestone, his 35th anniversary as a federal employee! Mr. Jino has worked for the Human Resources Office serving federal employees for more than 3 decades and we could not be more grateful and proud of his service! Thank you, Jino! We appreciate you!