GREGORY CHANDLER - RESERVE BENEFITS: POST-AGE 60

I often get questions from reservists about the post-age 60 retirement countdown.

At age 60 retired pay and benefits commence for reservists. The first direct deposit to your bank account will be on the first working day of the month following your birthday. New identification cards, reflecting retired with pay status, should be obtained. Your spouse's new identification card will expire in the month prior to him/her reaching age 65. You and eligible dependents are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Standard if you properly applied for retired pay benefits. You may apply for TRICARE Prime only after reaching age 60, not before.

At age 62 is the first opportunity to opt-out of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). You must submit an SBP Termination Request with spouse concurrence. You have until the day before turning age 63 to opt-out of the plan. You will need your DD Form 214 when applying.

The day before turning age 63 is your last opportunity for opting out of the SBP program. Once out of the program, no reentry is authorized, not even during an open season.

At age 65 TRICARE Standard, Extra, or Prime ends the last day of the month before the month you turn age 65. TRICARE continues for any family member until he/she turns age 65. TRICARE for Life (TFL) begins on the same day as Medicare, provided you are covered under Part B. TFL now becomes the second payee after Medicare. A new spouse identification card is required upon your spouse reaching age 65. You, as the retired member do not need to renew your identification card.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Colonel, US Army Reserve

e-mail address attatlawgc@gmail.com