Armed
Forces -
Information for Retirees
Get
your records in order: If you're about to retire, particularly with a disability,
we highly recommend you thoroughly research your rights and benefits.
Take advantage of assistance provided by various veterans' organizations, and make sure
you have all the blocks checked. Make sure your medical records are
completely up to date -- and written exactly according to both the
military and the VA requirements. Researching this, and then getting your records
completed, can be a long and painful process, but we assure you that the difference
between doing this well and doing it haphazardly can mean substantial money in (or out) of
your pocket.
Increased TRICARE Benefits: The DoD sent letters to uniformed
services retirees, spouses and survivors who reached age 65 before April 1, 2001
concerning new TRICARE benefits as per the
National Defense Authorization Act of
2001. If you or a family member fit in this category, but did not receive a
letter, contact the TRICARE contractor for your area.
Updating DEERS: To update your DEERS information, for eg. to update
add a child or to report a divorce, go to the nearest military personnel office.
To update your address with DEERS, you can: visit a military personnel office;
e-mail addrinfo@osd.pentagon.mil;
write to the DEERS Support Office, ATTN: COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA
93955-6771; or call 800-538-9552.
