ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE UNIFORMED SERVICES:
13 NAVADMINs are known that refer back to this one:
UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 271444Z SEP 16 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// NAVADMIN 217/16 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE UNIFORMED SERVICES// REF/A/DOC/NDAA/13APR15// REF/B/GENADMIN/COMNAVPERSCOM MILLINGTON TN/151015ZAUG16// NARR/REF A IS SECTIONS 631 THROUGH 635 OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, SUBTITLE D - DISABILITY PAY, RETIRED PAY, AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS. REF B IS GENADMIN, PAY AND PERSONNEL INFORMATION BULLETIN 16-22.// RMKS/1. On 1 January 2018, in order to provide a more modern and flexible retirement system for its members, the military services will transition to the Blended Retirement System (BRS) per reference (a). In an effort to facilitate a smooth transition to BRS, all Navy Service Members will be required to complete either the BRS Leaders Training course or the BRS Opt-in Training course. 2. Active component (AC) and reserve component (RC) members who join on or after 1 January 2018 will be automatically enrolled in BRS. AC and RC members who joined before 1 January 2018 are automatically grandfathered into the current retirement system. AC members with less than 12 years of service (YOS) as of 31 December 2017 or RC members in a paid status with less than 4,320 retirement points will have the choice of whether to stay with the current retirement system or opt into BRS. The election window for opt-in eligible members will be open from 1 January 2018 until 31 December 2018. If an opt-in eligible member enrolls in BRS, this election is irrevocable. Opt- in eligible members who do not choose to enroll in BRS during the election window will remain in the current retirement system. 3. Unlike the current retirement system, which provides a retirement pension of 2.5 percent of base pay for every YOS, BRS provides automatic and government matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions, a mid-career continuation pay (CP), and a retirement pension of 2.0 percent of base pay for every YOS. Under BRS, members who leave the military before earning a retirement pension are permitted to keep the government TSP contributions if they have completed two YOS. Additionally, BRS allows enrolled members who earn a retirement pension to choose to receive a portion of that pension in the form of a lump sum payment. 4. To ensure that all members are properly informed on BRS, a series of training modules on Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) are being developed. These modules are Leader Training to Introduce the Blended Retirement System, Blended Retirement System Financial Counselor/Educator Course, Blended Retirement System Opt-In Course, and Blended Retirement System New Accession Course. Although each course targets distinct cohorts of the services, each of the courses will be available for viewing by all members. 5. All Navy commands shall ensure that the training is completed and documented. Command PASS Coordinators are tasked with ensuring that all command members have updated email addresses in Web NSIPS as announced in reference (b) to facilitate BRS eligibility notifications. Command Career Counselors and Command Financial Specialists are tasked with ensuring they are knowledgeable on BRS and are able to inform members of the various resources available for members who wish to learn more about BRS. If unable to complete via JKO or Navy e-learning due to connectivity issues, DVDs are available for order through the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC). Order forms are located at http://www.dimoc.mil/customer/contact.html. In the comments section of the order form, include the following: BRS Leader Training Course, Pin Number: 505675, quantity, branch of service, and shipping address (include the name of who will be receiving the package). These DVDs are provided at no cost to the requesting command. 6. The first course, Leader Training to Introduce the Blended Retirement System, provides a general overview of BRS and is required training for all Navy members who are grandfathered into the current system and are not eligible to opt-in to BRS (12 or more YOS or 4,320 or more points). Requiring members to take this course will ensure the entire Navy has a basic understanding of BRS. The course is now available on JKO at http://jko.jten.mil/ (course #: J3OP-US1330) and the Navy E-learning website at https://www.nel.navy.mil (course #: JKDDC-BRS-LTI-1.0). Additionally, since this is an important financial decision that will affect a Service Members entire family, family members are encouraged to take the course via the Military One Source website at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/. 7. The remaining modules are expected to be released over the coming months as follows: The training course for personal financial counselors and educators Blended Retirement System Financial Counselor/Educator Course will be available October 2016 and will be required training for all personal financial managers, command career counselors and command financial specialists. The training course for BRS opt-in eligible Service Members Blended Retirement System Opt-In Course is scheduled to be available January 2017 and will be required training for all opt-in eligible Navy Service Members. The training course for New Accessions Blended Retirement System New Accession Course will be available January 2018 and will be required training for all new accessions. These courses will include web-based financial calculators to help members in their decision-making. Additionally, there is a DoD supported website: http://militarypay.defense.gov/blendedretirement/ that will be updated with the most recent BRS information. Finally, trained financial counselors will be available at Fleet and Family Support Centers to help Sailors with the opt-in decision. 8. The importance of the decision to enroll in BRS cannot be overstated as it has lifelong compensation implications and is likely the most important financial decision of an opt-in eligible members Navy career. In addition to providing opt-in eligible members with the training, education and resources to make the right decision for their situation, it is vital that all members, even those not eligible to opt-in, have a working knowledge of BRS. 9. Released by Vice Admiral R. P. Burke, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//