Association of Military Banks of America

DoD Launches Next Education Component of Blended Retirement System – Opt-In Course Now Available!

What is the BRS?  The Blended Retirement System is a blend of the current 20-year defined benefit (retired pay or pension) plan with a civilian-like defined contribution plan with matching contributions.

Who does this affect and when do I have to choose?  On January 1, 2018, those Service members with 12 years or less in service and Reservists with less than 4,320 points will be eligible to OPT-IN to the new Blended Retirement System (BRS).

Note: no one currently serving will be automatically placed into the BRS

How do I Opt-In? Service members will be able to opt-in through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) MyPay portal online beginning on 1 January 2018.  The opt-in choice can be made anytime during the entire year of 2018.

Note: If you decide to opt-in to the BRS, it is permanent and irrevocable (cannot be undone).

What Tools and Resources are available?

To help you make the decision, the Department of Defense has created tools and resources (and is creating more) to help you understand and look at your own situation to decide if opting-in to the new BRS is the right choice for you and your family (or potential future family).

Note: This will be a very personal choice and everyone’s situation will be different.

Below is the newest course (the Opt-In Course) currently offered online.  Look for the new BRS Comparison Calculator coming in spring 2017!

Note: These courses can also be taken by family members and by Reservists at home without a Common Access Card (non-CAC).  Don’t forget to print out your completion certificates!

Non-CAC Link: (for users without government network access)

http://jko.jten.mil/courses/brs/OPT-IN/launch.html

CAC Required Link:

https://jkodirect.jten.mil/html/COI.xhtml?course_prefix=J3O&course_number=P-US1332

These courses and additional resources are also available on the BRS website.

http://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/