(The following is provided as a public service from the Fort Huachuca Retiree Council and was written by Jackie Moore.)
Thanks to the efforts of the Fort Huachuca Retiree Council Secretary, Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Roberts, the Council has a Web page and a link to its own Facebook page. A viable communications conduit for retiree issues, regardless of their branch of service, the Facebook page has current retiree information, including a “survivor’s guide for benefits,” a “SAVEVETS Resource Guide,” and more. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Huachuca-Retiree-Council/357858980975547.
Annual retiree newsletter coming soon
The Fort Huachuca Retirement Services Office will be mailing their annual newsletter in late November to more than 16,000 U.S. Army retirees throughout Arizona. The newsletter is an annual budgeted activity that serves to highlight updates of topics important to retirees.
Complementing the Department of the Army’s “Echoes” publication, the local newsletter augments important information at a larger level and notifies readers of regional opportunities and resources. Included in the annual newsletter will be a registration form for the Retiree Appreciation Day, or RAD, to be held on Jan. 12 at the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre. Featuring retired Lt. Gen. James Lovelace as a keynote speaker, the Fort Huachuca RAD will also include information from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Veterans Affairs and other agencies, both federal and local.
Gold Star/SOS get designated parking
Among the new changes in the commissary parking lot are two spaces are set aside for “Gold Star” recipients. Gold Star Families have Family members who died or were killed serving in the armed forces. This is signified on a service flag with a small gold star placed on top of a blue star.
Vehicles with a Survivor Outreach Service logo decal or a Gold Star license plate or flag now also have two special designated parking spaces in the Fort Huachuca Main Exchange and Army Community Service parking lots, as well. Drivers who park in these designated spaces and who do not have a special license plates or logo on their vehicle will receive a Department of Defense Form 1408 which will earn them one point against their post driving privilege.
For more information, call 538.0092.
Read more at What Are Blue Star and Gold Star Military Families? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5869016_blue-gold-star-military-families_.html#ixzz2CmgD3k4Z.
New service provider for TRICARE West Region
Beginning April 1, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans will be the new contractor for TRICARE beneficiaries in the West Region. TRICARE’s top priority is to ensure a smooth transition under the new contract on behalf of service members, Families and retired beneficiaries. During the transition, TRICARE and the contractors will ensure the continuation of quality care and customer service.
For more information about the transition, go to www.tricare.mil/t3contracts.
What is myPay?
More than a million military retirees and annuitants are using myPay, the official online account management system for military members, retirees, annuitants and Department of Defense employees, to stay on top of their retired pay accounts. They use it to monitor their pay and survivor benefits, keep their contact and beneficiary information current, and control their allotments, direct deposit and tax withholdings.
According to Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials, more than 80,000 retirees have created myPay accounts since the agency began providing a monthly electronic Retiree Account Statement, or eRAS, last November. Available only on myPay, the eRAS is a complete summary of pay, deductions and benefits. It includes information about allotments, income tax withholdings, direct deposit and a Survivor Benefit Plan counter that shows how much longer premiums must be paid.
To use myPay, go to https://mypay.dfas.mil and click “Forgot or Need a Password” to have a temporary password mailed. When you receive it, return to the myPay home page and click “Create an Account” to get started. For help with creating an account, go to www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary for step-by-step instructions.
Retiree Council members needed
The Fort Huachuca Retiree Council is always in need of new members. Interested retirees can attend the next meeting on Dec. 14, 10 a.m., to see if they may want to apply. The Council is temporarily meeting in the Army Community Service conference room, Building 41330.
Locating military retirees, veterans
Featured as our website of the month, Military.com offers a variety of information retirees and veterans may find useful. A special segment is dedicated to finding military retirees and veterans by branch of service. Find specific details at http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/retiring-from-military/finding-military-retirees-and-veterans.html.
