Blended Retirement and AFROTC

Tex232

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What is the latest regarding the new blended retirement system and ROTC cadets? I keep hearing conflicting stories: some are saying that if we contracted before Jan 1, 2018 that we'll be grandfathered under the old system, while others are saying that if we don't go on Active Duty before Jan 1, 2018, regardless of when we contracted, that we'll be under the new system. I'm a senior in AFROTC who contracted in '14.
 
I would assume it is your commission date not contracted date. If you look at it, when you retire none of your ROTC years count towards your retirement, thus your contracted date would not be the one that I would assume they will use.

If you are a senior than you would be under the old system because it is not your report date for ADAF, but the moment you take the oath.

ROTC grads will have 2 different pay dates versus SA grads. Your longevity pay date is your commission date. Your rank pay will be the avg between commission and report.
~ IE DS commissioned May. Reported 9/30. His longevity pay date is May. His DOR is July because they took the 4 months wait time and split in half, which is July. Fencers DS commissioned in May, his DOR is the date of commissioning because they are ADAF immediately.

Bullet retired 21 1/2 yrs after commissioning. However, he did not report for 10 months or just over 20 yrs ADAF. His retirement pay is not based on his contracted date from ROTC, nor is it his report date for ADAF or his DOR. It is commission date. Had it been report he would have only received 50%, not the 52.5% of his base. (2.5% per year after 20)
~ It is just a funky little loophole for ROTC grads. Even though you may be on casual status for months and not report ADAF, Big Blue still sees it as you being ADAF the minute you raise your hand.
 
My cadre informed me that if you are contracted before 1 January 2018, you will be under the old retirement system. Not saying that this is true or not, just letting you know what I was told.
 
It will go by your contract date, so you are grandfathered in. However, since you have less than 12 yrs of service you will have the choice into which retirement system you want. I am not sure when you have to decide, but it will probably be very soon after you commission. If you intend to stay in for 20 go for the old system. If you will do less than 20, go for the new one.
 
Agree Mohawk with one item of note... if you have time to make a choice, wait as long as possible. Your views of life and the military and can change quickly as a young officer. School, first unit, marriage, kids can change your views of life very quickly.
 
Read the Introduction to Blended Retirement dated 02/2017. It is part of the Resources in this link. http://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/

Page 13 - Which RC Members Are Eligible to Opt In Read the notes/talking points at the bottom.
From the .ppt - Those entering AD from a non payed Reserve status after CY18 will only have 30 days to 'opt in'. "30 day extension of enrollment window first time returning to paid status after CY18" Those entering AD from ROTC in a non payed Reserve status in CY18 will have to decide to 'opt in', or not, in CY18.

The AROTC contract DA 597-3 leads me to believe cadets are in the Reserves even though their time does not count for retirement as they are not Active Guard/Reserve or Selected Reserve.
 
So the dates that count are.....1) 1 Jan 2018 so you still have the choice and....2)When you enter active duty (not your commissioning date, they're different)

This is why many who are wanting the old system are really hoping to get an EAD that puts them before 1 Jan 2018.
 
So the dates that count are.....1) 1 Jan 2018 so you still have the choice and....2)When you enter active duty (not your commissioning date, they're different)

This is why many who are wanting the old system are really hoping to get an EAD that puts them before 1 Jan 2018.
Sled - I'm not sure those are the dates that count. There are allowances for those that enter AD from an IRR Reserve status after 2018 too.

I suggest that cadets interested in determining their status call DFAS. "For information and answers regarding your specific situation, please contact DFAS Customer Service at 1-888-332-7411 or by clicking here."
 
So the dates that count are.....1) 1 Jan 2018 so you still have the choice and....2)When you enter active duty (not your commissioning date, they're different)

This is why many who are wanting the old system are really hoping to get an EAD that puts them before 1 Jan 2018.
Sled - I'm not sure those are the dates that count. There are allowances for those that enter AD from an IRR Reserve status after 2018 too.

I suggest that cadets interested in determining their status call DFAS. "For information and answers regarding your specific situation, please contact DFAS Customer Service at 1-888-332-7411 or by clicking here."
You're right, found some more info here. https://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2017/03/03/blended-retirement-system-updates/

What I'm getting from that is if you've contracted before 12/31/17 at an academy or ROTC unit you have 30 days from the first day of entering active duty in which to elect to enroll in the BRS. Otherwise you're automatically put under the 20 yr system.
 
What is the contract date for the ROTC member with scholarship?
First day of the freshman year?
 
What is the contract date for the ROTC member with scholarship?
First day of the freshman year?

The date on your DD 4 and DA 597-3 (if Army ROTC). The HRA at your school will have copies of those if you don't.
 
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