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Q2.2. When do service members need to make a choice about BRS?
A2.2. Service members who are eligible to opt into BRS will have all of calendar year 2018 to
make their opt-in decision. The enrollment period goes from January 1, 2018 through
December 31, 2018. Members of the Army, Navy, or Air Force who wish to remain in the legacy
system do not have to do anything; Marines will have to affirmatively decline enrollment in the
BRS via Marine Online. National Guard/Reserve specific information can be found in Section 9.
Q2.3. How do I opt into BRS?
A2.3. To opt into BRS, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors will utilize myPay; Coast Guardsmen and
members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) will opt-in via Direct Access; and Marines will make their decision via
Marine Online (MOL). When opting in via myPay, a Service member must first click a link that
says, "Opt Into the Blended Retirement System." Following that, the member must
acknowledge no less than three times that he or she is aware and fully understands the decision
to opt-in is irrevocable and that he or she is opting into the BRS. Once the member has
completed the opt-in process, he or she will receive a SmartDoc message confirming
enrollment.
Q2.4. Does it make a difference if I opt into the new system at the beginning of 2018 or at
the end of 2018?
A2.4. Eligible service members may opt into BRS anytime between January 1, 2018, and
December 31, 2018. It is important to note, Service members opting into the new retirement
system will begin receiving automatic and applicable matching government contributions
effective the first pay period that begins on after the day the member opts into the BRS. For
active duty, this means the following month unless the member opts in on the first day of the
pay period, in which case the automatic and matching contributions begin with that pay period.
For example, if an active duty member opts into BRS on January 12, 2018, he or she will begin
receiving government TSP contributions with his or her February pay, which will be reflected in
his or her end-of-month Leave and Earning Statement (LES) for February. If an active duty
member opts in on March 1, 2018, he or she will receive government TSP contributions for the
March pay period, which will be reflected in the end-of-month LES for March. Reserve and
National Guard members are paid on a different cycle; members of the Reserve and National
Guard will see government contributions beginning in the first full pay period that begins on or
after when he or she opts in. However, it is important for service members to fully understand
BRS and to take their time to make an informed decision.
Q2.5. If a service member is eligible for BRS do they need to do anything?
A2.5. Yes, eligible service members will need to complete the mandatory BRS Opt-In Course on
Joint Knowledge Online or their services’ Learning Management System (if available) and
physically opt into BRS anytime from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. To opt into BRS,
Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors will utilize myPay; Coast Guardsmen and members of the
Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
will opt-in via Direct Access; and Marines will make their decision via Marine Online (MOL).
When opting in via myPay, a Service member must first click a link that says, "Blended
Retirement System Opt-In." Following that, the member must acknowledge no less than three
times that he or she is aware and fully understands the decision to opt-in is irrevocable and that
he or she is opting into the BRS. Service members joining on or after January 1, 2018,
(meaning those who have a Date of Initial Entry into Military Service (DIEMS)) on or after
January 1, 2018) will be automatically enrolled in the BRS.
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