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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Miscellaneous Benefits and Pay Issues

Need miscellaneous benefits information? Learn about military ID cards, uniforms, awards or decorations, how to get a copy of your DD-214, Government Service, or how to travel Space-A .

VA Enhances Mortgage Options for Financially Distressed Veterans

A new law will allow the VA to assist veterans with subprime mortgages by allowing them to refinance into a safer, more affordable, VA-guaranteed loan.

VA Home Loan Provides Strong Option in Weak Economy

No down payment home loans increasingly are difficult to obtain with conventional financing. That’s why more servicemembers are using their VA home loan guaranty benefit in today’s housing market.

Related article: VA Home Loans Increased Up to $729,000

VA Home Loans Increased Up to $729,000

Under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the VA now is using a locality-based approach to raise ceilings on its no down payment home loans from $417,000 to as much as $729,000.

VA Announces Online Claims Applications

Veterans, survivors, and other claimants now can file initial applications for a variety of VA benefits online without having to submit a signed paper copy of their application.

Are You Up to Speed With Your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)?

A TSP should be your primary method of saving for retirement. TSPs offer numerous well-known benefits as an investment vehicle. Let MOAA’s finance expert explain a few benefits — and scary scenarios — that you might not be aware of.

VA Cuts Premiums on Life Insurance Plans

Veterans and military personnel with life insurance policies managed by the VA will see a reduction in their premiums, thanks to improved investment earnings and a reduction in noncombat claims. The premium cuts affect military personnel covered by Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and veterans covered by the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI).

Yes, You Can Appeal a VA Decision

Did you receive a notice from the VA stating your claim for benefits was disapproved? You can appeal the decision, but time is critical, so don’t delay.

Military Will Remove Social Security Numbers from Military IDs

In an effort to thwart identity theft, DoD plans to remove Social Security Account Numbers (SSAN) from all military identification cards by the end of 2010. Instead, the cards will display only the last four digits of the SSAN.

Guard and Reserve Education Benefits Expanded

Guard and Reserve members who serve on active duty will see a significant increase in their educational benefits.

2008 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

DoD has released the 2008 basic allowance for housing (BAH) rates. Learn more about the increase, and plug in your ZIP code to see what your new rate will be.

VA Program Assists Those With Long Term Care Needs

The VA's Aid and Attendance (A&A) program provides monthly financial assistance to wartime veterans or their surviving spouses who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or who require in-home care.

Do You Owe Back Premiums for Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance?

The Veterans Opportunities Act automatically established Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) for spouses and children of active duty servicemembers and members of the Ready Reserve or Guard of a uniformed service in November 2001. However, some servicemembers may owe back premiums.

VA National Service Life Insurance

The VA has offered numerous forms of life insurance going back to 1914. One of them is the National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) policy, which was available from 1940 to 1951. Are you eligible to stop paying premiums?

Update to Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Eligibility

The eligibility rules that apply to Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) have been updated to broaden coverage to eligible members as of March 8, 2007.

Beware of myPay Look-alike Web Sites

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is alerting members of the military community about copycat and look-alike Web sites that might mislead people into thinking they are accessing the myPay Web site. While these Web sites may be legitimate, they are not affiliated with DFAS and myPay in any way.

BRAC Resources

Important information you need on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

Interactive Forms

Plan for the future and make sure your hard-earned military benefits are available to your survivors after you're gone by using these interactive worksheets. The MOAA fill-in .PDF forms can be used by your survivors to put your affairs in order, and help them deal with the paperwork and notifications that follow death.

Military Identification (ID) Cards

Information on ID cards and how to renew them for retirees and eligible family members.

Expiration Date on the Back of Your Military ID Card?

Before TRICARE For Life (TFL) was enacted in 2001, the expiration date indicated when you dropped off the TRICARE Prime or Standard rolls upon turning age 65. So why do folks age 65 and older with TFL still see the expiration date on the back of their ID card?

Passport Requirement for International Travel

All passengers traveling by air to or from the United States will be required to hold a valid passport.

Airport Gate Passes for Military Families

Military family members with photo IDs now may obtain passes to accompany their departing or returning servicemember to the gate!

Space Available Travel and Lodging

Military retirees and their family members may use military travel and lodging facilities on a space available basis.

Military Uniforms

Information on wearing your military uniform after you retire.

Military Awards and Decorations

Good starting point for where to obtain medals, what to do if they are lost, and how to wear your medals.

Removing Personal Data and DD 214 From Public Record

Air Force Legal Services document to assist those who may wish to remove their DD Form 214 or other personal information from the public record.

Federal Government Service

After uniformed service, many retired officers seek or are offered employment with the federal government. Many questions arise when considering working for the government. The Benefits Information staff can answer your general questions pertaining to the Dual Compensation Act, Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

MOAA Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) History

Get information on the history of cost of living adjustments for the past 13 years.