4 Things 'Gray Area' Reservists Need to Do When They Turn 60

National Guard and reserve members who've "retired awaiting pay" can expect some significant changes to happen at -- and sometimes before -- age 60. The changes require action by the retiree, but you can't do the things if you don't know they need to be done.

These folks are often called "gray area" reservists, because they are in a place between their active service and the pay and benefits earned from that service.

1. Request Military Retirement Pay

National Guard and reserve members have to request the start of their military retirement pay. They do this through their branch of service. Some branches have backlogs of requests, so it wouldn't hurt to apply in advance of your eligibility.

Reserve component members are typically eligible to receive military retirement pay at age 60. Some members may be eligible earlier based on their active-duty service. For each cumulative 90-day period of eligible service in any fiscal year after January 2008, for example, military retirement pay starts three months earlier. Check with your branch to verify eligible service dates.

2. Switch to "Regular" Tricare

At age 60, retired reservists and National Guard members and their families move to the "regular" Tricare, meaning they pay the same costs as other retired family members.

If they had been using Tricare Retired Reserve, they should switch to Prime or Select. If they hadn't been using Tricare at all, they would need to enroll in Tricare Prime, Tricare Select or Tricare Overseas. Enrollment can be done online, by phone or by mail.

Because turning 60 is a qualifying life event for reserve folks, retired reservists must make this change within 90 days of turning 60. Otherwise, they will need to wait for the next open season or another qualifying life event.

All eligible family members move to Tricare when the retiree turns 60, regardless of the family member's age.

3. Revisit Your Survivor Benefit Plan Decision

Reserve component members make their first Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) decision when they receive their Notice of Eligibility (NOE) for military retirement pay, often called a "20-year letter." One of those choices is to defer the decision to age 60. If that option was elected, then the retiree (and spouse, if married) need to make another decision when the retiree reaches age 60.

If you did not make an election when you received your NOE, the default election was immediate full coverage, so you don't need to do anything now.

4. Update Your Identification Card

Moving from the gray area to full retirement means getting a new military ID card. Make an appointment with your nearest ID office to get new IDs for the whole family. Double-check with the ID office by phone to ensure that you have the right documentation so you don't waste a trip.

Finally receiving that hard-earned military retirement pay is a big deal, and you definitely want to get that started on time. Plus, Tricare can save your family a lot of money on medical expenses. But neither of those benefits happens automatically. Make a note on your calendar to ensure that you don't miss out or have a delay.

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