Nov. 23, 2022

2023 Adjustments to Retired/Retainer Pay, Survivor Annuities and Premiums

The following Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1, 2023, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) through the third quarter of the calendar year 2022. The term "retired pay" includes retainer pay and the term "members" includes former members.

Sept. 27, 2022

Seeking Mental Health Services? Learn What TRICARE Covers

If left untreated, mental health challenges could affect your physical health. TRICARE covers a variety of mental health services to help you get care so you can stay balanced, in both mind and body.

Sept. 19, 2022

Procedures for the Recall to Active Duty of Retired Reservists

Reservists may be recalled, at their consent, for voluntary orders such as Active Duty for Operational Support and Extended Active Duty. This policy also includes the recall of retired reservists.

June 30, 2022

New to TRICARE? Handbook Helps You Learn Your Health Plan Options

Whether you're on active duty, separating from service, retiring, or a family member, the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook can help you learn about your stateside health plan options. It also describes your pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage options.

June 28, 2022

Make Sure Your Child Takes the Right TRICARE Plan to College

For many parents, summer is a time of preparation, as they help their children get ready to move away to college. For your child, it might be their first time away from home. Will they have health care if they get sick or injured? Fortunately, your child’s TRICARE coverage will stay with them in college if enrolled full-time and meeting eligibility requirements.

April 28, 2022

10 TRICARE Health Care Terms You Should Know

Have you recently come across a health care term and weren’t quite sure what it meant? It’s OK. Health care coverage is full of terms you may not know. To help you better understand your TRICARE benefit, here’s a list of commonly used health care terms and definitions.

Feb. 16, 2022

Is Your DEERS Information Up to Date?

When is the last time you checked to see if your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is up to date? If it's been a while, take time to log in to DEERS and review your information. Inaccurate information in the DEERS database could prevent you from being able to use your TRICARE benefits properly.

Jan. 12, 2022

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)-VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Off-Set Phase Out

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 changed the way that Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payments are reduced (off-set) by the receipt of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

Jan. 11, 2022

Nebraska to Exempt Military Retired Pay from State Income Tax Beginning in 2022

On 26 May 2021, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed Legislative Bill (LB) 387 into law, allowing 100% of military retirement pay to be exempted from Nebraska income tax starting January 1, 2022.

Jan. 11, 2022

Arizona Exempts Military Retired Pay from State Income Tax

Military Pension Subtraction: For 2021 the subtraction for benefits, annuities and pensions as retired or retainer pay of the uniforms services has increased from a maximum of $3,500 to 100% of the amount received during 2021. This means that benefits, annuities and pensions as retired or retainer pay of the uniformed services are no longer taxable in Arizona.

Dec. 13, 2021

TRICARE Pharmacy Network Changes and TRICARE For Life

CVS Pharmacy is joining the TRICARE retail pharmacy network on Dec. 15. At the same time, Walmart, Sam's Club, and some community pharmacies are leaving the network. If you're a TRICARE For Life beneficiary, you may be wondering how these changes affect the coverage of your current drugs.

Dec. 5, 2021

Defense Department Announces Cost of Living Increase to Retired Pay

The following Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1, 2021, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) through the third quarter calendar year 2021. The term "retired pay" includes retainer pay and the term "members" includes former members.

Nov. 19, 2021

Answering Your Questions About TRICARE Explanation of Benefits

Have you seen your doctor recently? If so, you should have access to an explanation of benefits (EOB). Your EOB is an itemized statement that shows the action TRICARE has taken on claims filed by you or your provider. An EOB isn't a bill.

Oct. 28, 2021

Reminder: If your retirement date is on or after 1 January, 2022, as of 1 November 2021, PPC/RAS will no longer accept Form CG-4700 as your application for retirement pay

CG Form 4700, Coast Guard, PHS & NOAA Retired Pay Account Worksheet and Survivor Benefit Plan Election is being phased out. Coast Guard, PHS and NOAA personnel will join their DoD counterparts and begin using DD Form 2656, Data for Payment of Retired Personnel to establish their retired pay accounts at the Pay & Personnel Center.

Sept. 16, 2021

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.

May 18, 2021

Former Spouse – Annual Certification No Longer Required

The yearly certification that former spouses who receive division of retired pay pursuant to  the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (FSPA) have completed in the past are no longer required.  Consequently, former spouses won’t be receiving a reminder to file their yearly certification forms.

April 19, 2021

Long Term Care Benefits for the Uniformed Services

​Richard Hartley, USCG Retired, FedPoint | Defense Agencies Account Manger, April 19, 2021 — A long term care event can happen at any age, and the potential financial and emotional strain that comes with it can have an impact on you, your family, and your loved ones.

Dec. 18, 2020

Separating or Retiring? Take Your Mandatory Transition Training

All members are required to take pre-separation counseling on the Learning Management System (LMS) or a transition seminar. Members are authorized to begin their transition one year out from separation or two years out from retiring. Contact your local transition manager or visit the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) website at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/CG1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/.

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. 1, 2020

Plan Now: TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees for Group A Retirees Coming January 2021

Did you hear the news about TRICARE Select enrollment fees? TRICARE Select Group A retirees must begin paying enrollment fees to maintain health coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2021. TRICARE Select is the name of the plan that replaced the former TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra programs in 2018.

June 3, 2020

Direct-Access Password Reset Guidance

During a recent Direct Access (DA) system upgrade, the forgot password security question "What is your mother's maiden name?" was disabled in DA to reduce the possibility of a compromise of personally identifiable information (PII). For users who originally chose this as a security question, the hint question will now default to "What town were you born in?" but the ANSWER has NOT changed from what the user originally established for "What is your mother's maiden name?"

May 8, 2020

A Friendly Reminder: Keep Your DEERS Info Updated

Did you know that not keeping your family's information current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) could delay their access to health care? Errors can also cause delays with your claims and delivery of your prescription. Now is an important time to check your DEERS records.

April 3, 2020

Retirees/Annuitants/FSPA Payees Change your Federal Income Tax Withholding or Additional Withholding: 

Do not use IRS W-4P (Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments). Direct Access is configured to withhold federal income tax based on the information from the IRS W-4. Beginning on April 1, 2020, if you provide your information on a W-4P form, you will be asked to complete a W-4 instead so that the system will be able to recognize your request

March 24, 2020

The Armed Forces Retirement Home Offers Affordable Independent Living for Eligible Veterans!

The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) – which offers affordable independent living to eligible veterans in its Washington, D.C., and Gulfport, Miss. locations, is now accepting applications for residency in 2020!

Dec. 9, 2019

Defense Health Agency (DHA) Monitoring Payment Processing Error in TRICARE East Region

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Humana Military are working closely together to quickly assist approximately 75,000 TRICARE beneficiaries affected by a payment processing error that occurred on Thursday Dec. 5. For those affected, health care coverage remains uninterrupted.