Retiring/retired Female Navy personnel

02/15/2023

Hot news from the NDAA FY23 regarding Survivor Benefits: OPEN SEASON!

https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/newsevents/newsletter/December2022-SBPOS23/

SBP Open Season NDAA2023
The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act: Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 includes a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Open Season. The SBP Open Season began on December 23, 2022 and ends on January 1, 2024.

The SBP Open Season allows for retirees receiving retired pay, eligible members, or former members awaiting retired pay who are currently NOT enrolled in SBP or RCSBP (Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan) to enroll. For a member who enrolls during the SBP Open Season, the law generally requires that the member will be responsible to pay retroactive SBP premium costs that would have been paid if the member had enrolled at retirement (or enrolled at another earlier date, depending on the member’s family circumstances).

For retirees receiving pay, enrollment does require paying the premiums plus interest for the time period since the date they were first eligible to enroll, as well as the monthly premiums moving forward.

The SBP Open Season also allows eligible members and former members who are currently enrolled in either SBP or RCSBP to permanently discontinue their SBP coverage. The law generally requires the covered beneficiaries to concur in writing with the election to discontinue. Previously paid premiums will not be refunded.

DFAS is working to prepare the forms, policies, and processes required to facilitate this SBP Open Season. We will be not be able to answer specific questions until we obtain official DoD guidance on the new law, policy, and processes.

In the meantime, we created a special focus webpage to post information and instructions as they become available.

Please check our special focus webpage for news and information - https://www.dfas.mil/sbpopenseason23

Page updated December 23, 2022

December2022 Retiree Newsletter SBPOS23

03/27/2022

For retiring Navy Reservists, we still have space in our Retirement Awareness Workshop, May 3-5, virtual or in person near Memphis TN.

Navy Reserve Retirement Transition Outreach

01/13/2022

Let’s hear from some of you!

What has been your toughest challenge so far in transitioning to retirement from the Navy?

What has been your most joyful experience?

What has surprised you, good or bad?

10/06/2021

October is National Retirement Security Month.

If like me, you stayed Navy Reserve, you may have some questions about your retirement. This may be especially true if you are already a "Gray Area" retiree, or are serving but haven't yet reached 20 qualifying years.

Join my team and I for one of our FY22 informational events to learn more about your Navy retirement, including how your pension is calculated, how and when to expect which health benefits, how to strategically serve today in the context of your personal retirement plan, and how to apply for the pay and benefits you've already earned through your service to our nation. First event of the fiscal year is in 10 days, on the 16-17 October drill weekend. We also have short evening webinars, and a long multiday workshop, all offered virtually via Teams.



For more information, see our webpage on MyNavyHR:

Navy Reserve Retirement Transition Outreach

09/12/2021

Outward Bound Female Veteran Course in the High Sierra Mountain range review and information: first off, it was awesome that it was all female veterans! It allowed us to be more relaxed and really share our experiences in the military open and honestly. Added bonus, when you are pooping in the woods, you don’t have to be worried about some dude walking around you 🤣

The hiking wasn’t that hard, it was the weight of the pack that made it challenging! We did have 2 folks in our group that had some physical limitations, so we all increased our carrying weight, so they could still participate. Not a huge deal, but be prepared to carry at least 60lbs for around 8 hrs (you do get breaks). No shower for a week and whatever you carry in - you carry out! TP included! You do drink stream water that is treated, so if you don’t like bugs or dirt in your water, make sure to bring a filtered water bottle!

The ladies are awesome - everyone had amazing stories, shared experiences and unique perspectives. The instructors were top notch and helped us every step of the way! The comraderie and friendships I will cherish forever! Overall, if you don’t mind getting dirty and sleeping under the stars on the ground without a tent, I would highly recommend signing up! It was fabulous experience and I am so glad I did it!

09/12/2021

GS job timeline - completely dependent on where you apply and the internal hiring process… I interviewed at USFF for a GS-13 position in June. Didn’t get a formal offer until mid-Aug! Also interviewed at the FRC for a GS-12 job in Norfolk in early Aug and got a formal offer late Aug. Some commands work faster than others!

I ultimately took a job with Booz Allen as an associate and start tomorrow!

Happy to share resumes or interview experiences with whomever is interested! I did negotiate for my salary with BAH, but did not pursue negotiations with either GS position.

On to the next chapter!

09/12/2021

Quick timeline of retirement paperwork:

June - submitted retirement paperwork to command PSC
Aug 7 - contacted by my PSD clerk via NSIPs concerning my DD-214
Aug 8 - submitted corrections to NSIPs
Aug 21 - followed up with a phone call to PSD, since there was no movement on my DD-214
Aug 24 - marked DD-214 correct in NSIPs
Sept 1 - officially retired
Sept 10 - final DD-214 sent via DOD SAFE

I already had ebenefits for both dental and Vision. Everyone has a 90 day grace period for Tricare and will get it set up this week. SGLI also had a grace period (I think 120 days). Submitted my BDD at the 90 day mark prior to retiring. Have not received any information concerning appointments or further action required, other than a letter that states they are behind due to COVID.

Just some general information concerning timeline in Hampton Roads. I am sure there are multiple variables that change dates, but this is my experience. My assigned clerk was local at TSC Norfolk.

08/16/2021

It’s been a bit since I posted, but wanted to share some of my thoughts on the actual prep for retirement, the ceremony, and the afterward…
1. The prep is hard, it is a full time job. Remember when you were pulling someone else’s weight as they were transitioning (they “retired on Active duty”)… there’s a reason they were never there. If you are really prepping and planning, it takes a LOT of time and effort to get everything in order. Make sure you give yourself time!

2. The ceremony is an opportunity to thank your family and your supporters throughout your career. I would not have been where I was without the love and support of my family and friends. Plus, it’s great seeing people again and remembering that time you did XYZ while on liberty… overall I’m glad I had one! (Caveat - don’t spend more time planning your ceremony than prepping for transition… one will be it the past, the other is your future!)

3. It’s hard to leave, have a plan! I talked to a LOT of people who have retired and everyone agrees, if you have purpose after, the transition goes smoother. My purpose and really the reason for everything in my life is my family, so I focused on Mom summer camp and trying to make this a great summer with my kids. I do have a job lined up and a great free backpacking trip (Thank you Female Naval Officer page) through Outward bound! I will start working shortly after I return. Some folks go back to school, some travel full time, whatever it is you do, make sure it’s something more than just finding a job…

There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle of transitioning, your DD-214, your VA claim, medical, dental, vision and life insurance… the uncertainty of when you receive your retirement pay and decision on your VA claim is real. Have a plan and funds in place to float for a while, there are horror stories out there… be proactive!

I knew it was going to be an emotional roller coaster leaving the service and every day I am grateful for my career and experiences, but there are hard days filled with second guessing and sadness. Most people say that goes away after a while and you remember your time with only fond memories… I look forward to that in the future! In the meantime… when is PSD going to get my DD-214 right…

06/27/2021

For all you ladies...

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

06/16/2021

I interviewed for a GS job today - I felt really good about the interview, but honestly don’t really want the position - there is too much travel involved. However, I think that it is important to keep all doors open, get experience interviewing, and give every opportunity your best effort! You never know...

06/11/2021

Some great resources I have personally used during this transition that I have found incredibly useful:
ACP: American Corporate Partners, Fortune 500 companies where volunteers take time to mentor and assist transitioning military members (registration is all online)
Dept of Labor through TAP: will provide a career counselor that can walk you through potential job ideas, help with skill definitions, and really help guide you towards new career opportunities.
Friends and co workers: They always say to network and use your contacts - 100% true. It’s not always comfortable asking for someone’s help or advice, but I was amazed at how people genuinely want to help. You just never know until you ask!

This isn’t an all encompassing list, but these are folks that have helped me through my transition!