Oct. 30, 2020

October PPC Travel eNewsletter/Frequently Asked Questions

​The October 2020 edition of the Pay and Personnel Center Travel eNewsletter/Frequently Asked Questions – Update is now available at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/portals/10/cg-1/ppc/travel/ppctravelenewsletteroctober2020.pdf.

Oct. 30, 2020

Military members: Here’s why your paycheck looks different

Your pay this week may be different than what you expected. Don’t panic.

Oct. 26, 2020

2021 Reserve High Year Tenure Suspension

ALCGRSV message 065/20 announced ​the suspension of 2021 High Year Tenure for the Reserve Enlisted Workforce.

Oct. 26, 2020

Fall Body Comp Screenings Will be Used Only for Data Collection

The Coast Guard announced today that this fall’s weight and body fat screening results will be used for data collection purposes only. Due to feedback about how the pandemic has affected our workforce, we are making an in-stride course change to the October weigh-ins that acknowledges the importance of agility in supporting our workforce.

Oct. 22, 2020

Check Out: New Monthly Premiums for TRICARE Young Adult Plans in 2021

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, premiums for TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) coverage will increase. TYA Select will increase by 12.7% and TYA Prime by 22%. These changes reflect the increase in TYA program costs for calendar year 2021. TYA is a premium-based plan available for purchase by qualified dependent children under the age of 26.

Oct. 22, 2020

Veterans Affairs (VA) Separation Health Assessments

M​embers separating from active duty must complete a Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPE) and a mental health assessment (MHA) prior to separation. Servicemembers who file a disability claim with the VA prior to separation, via the Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, will receive a VA provided Separation Health Assessment (SHA). ALCOAST Commandant Notice 127/20 authorizes the use of the VA separation Health Assess​ment to meet the requirements for a military SHPE and MHA.​​

Oct. 21, 2020

Thrift Savings Plan Catch-up contributions will soon get easier

Starting in January 2021, we will make the catch-up process easier: if you’re turning 50 or older, you’ll no longer need to make two separate elections each year in order to take advantage of catch-up contributions.

Oct. 20, 2020

Data Migration for Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Orders

All Coast Guard Finance (ALCGFINANCE) message #047/20 provides guidance on Document Type (DT) 11 and DT 13 Travel Orders for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). The guidance is necessary to mitigate known issues with travel orders and to prepare travel orders with open obligations for migration from the Core Accounting System (CAS) to the new Financial Systems Modernization Solution (FSMS), which is scheduled to go live at the outset of FY22.

Oct. 19, 2020

Know when to reenlist for eligible SRB

Changes are being implemented regarding when an enlisted member can reenlist for a selective reenlistment bonus (SRB). Starting this year, any member eligible for a SRB will be allowed to reenlist beginning Oct. 1, 2020 (FY21) or anytime within the fiscal year their enlistment expires. Additionally, the pro-rated calculation for current obligated service is no longer applied. Members who reenlisted for an SRB will be entitled to the full bonus amount. Members will no longer be constrained by the three month reenlistment policy, and is now expanded to the entire fiscal year in which your enlistment expires.

Oct. 15, 2020

TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter – Issue 3, 2020

Do you want to learn more about TRICARE Open Season, Federal Benefits Open Season, or the new TRICARE Select enrollment fees for Group A retirees? These are just some of the articles you can read in the latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter:

Oct. 15, 2020

Distribution of Finalized DD-214

The implementation of electronic transmission of DD Form 214 data to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is complete. The Veterans Administration, State Directors of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor have access to DD Form 214 data. SPOs are not required to produce and distribute paper copies 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. DMDC is the official distribution source of the Military Services authoritative and certified information for all periods of active duty that are completed on or after January 1, 2015.

Oct. 9, 2020

2021 High Year Tenure Waiver Process Guidance Issued

ALCGENL 191/20 provides amplifying guidance on the High Year Tenure (HYT) Professional Growth Point waiver process for 2021 active duty HYT Candidates.​

Oct. 8, 2020

What's TRICARE Young Adult?

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is available for purchase by certain family members under the age of 26 who have lost or will lose TRICARE eligibility due to age. Qualified adult children can purchase TYA coverage after regular TRICARE coverage ends

Oct. 8, 2020

Mailing Address and End-Year Tax Documents

END OF THE CURRENT TAX SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING! All retirees and annuitants are reminded that the Mailing Address listed in Direct Access (DA) is the address all your year-end tax documents will be sent to. Please note that your Home Address will NOT be used for these mailings.

Oct. 7, 2020

Continued Health Care Benefit Program Rates

TRICARE recently updated the TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet. The October version includes the new rates (Oct. 1, 2020–Sept. 30, 2021) for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), as well as current 2020 costs and fees for other TRICARE programs. If you need health care as you make a transition to civilian life, the CHCBP gives health coverage for 18 to 36 months. This is temporary coverage for when you lose TRICARE coverage. If you qualify, you may purchase CHCBP coverage within 60 days of loss of TRICARE coverage.