Being in the Armed Forces means that your life is a less predictable and the rules are a little different than for average civilian. AAFMAA recognizes that big changes and transitions come a lot more frequently for you. Whether it’s retirement from active duty, a promotion, or a PCS move, our Member Benefits team can help you find the answers to any question about the coming changes in your life. Here are just three of the many topics that AAFMAA experts are ready to assist you with during all of your military transitions.

1. Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

SBP is a form of protection for a servicemember's family offered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). A military pension is payable to the military retiree as long as he or she is alive, but this payment does NOT automatically transfer to a spouse (or minor dependents) when the recipient dies. Enter, SBP, or the “annuity plan.”

SBP can provide a military spouse with up to 55 percent of the military pension, for the rest of the spouse’s life, after the retiree dies. There are multiple options for how to set up the SBP, which is usually set up at retirement. For more information on the best option for you and your family, either call all AAFMAA Member Benefits or check out the DFAS website: http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/provide/sbp.html

2. Tricare

Securing effective health insurance after retirement can be tricky. When you retire from active duty, you will have several options with TRICARE for continuing your health insurance. To retain the TRICARE Prime that was probably your coverage during military service, you must enroll as a retiree, enroll eligible family members as retiree dependents, and pay the appropriate single or family enrollment fee. When space permits, you may then select a Primary Care Manager at a military hospital or clinic.

If there is no space for retirees and retiree dependents to enroll in TRICARE Prime at a military hospital or clinic, you may need to change to a civilian TRICARE network PCM. There is an annual TRICARE Prime enrollment fee, and copayments will apply.

If you are in the United States and do not enroll in TRICARE Prime, your coverage automatically becomes TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, assuming you are deemed eligible by the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS). Military hospital and clinic care is on a space available basis only. You may see any TRICARE-authorized provider, but the provider’s TRICARE network status determines your out-of-pocket costs.

Members of the Retired Reserve may qualify to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve for medical coverage.

For more information on Tricare, call the AAFMAA Member Benefits team, or go to http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility/RSMandFamilies.aspx

3. Keeping your essential documents secure during PCS and other moves

With frequent moves and a busy life, military families can trust AAFMAA to store, protect and ensure the availability of essential documents. Using AAFMAA’s secure Digital Vault, you can store soft copies of your most important forms. AAFMAA’s unique Vault Storage service provides you secure and easy access to all your important documents. Keeping the vault up to date ensures that your documents are in one place, which makes things easier when it comes time to file for military and government entitlements. AAFMAA Premier Services or Grandfathered members already have AAFMAA Vault Services.

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The AAFMAA Member Benefits & Survivor Assistance are not limited to discussing and assisting with the above topics. They are a resourceful group of people dedicated to making transitions throughout your life as seamless as possible. Learn more about your policy and take advantage of all AAFMAA has to offer. Call AAFMAA Member and Survivor Benefits at 1-888-961-4573 for more information.