Retiree Corner

  • Published
  • By Denis Miller
  • Director Military Retirees Council
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Retiree Activities Office and the Military Retirees Council are always looking for new volunteers to join us. If you have some free time and a desire to assist other retirees, give us a call at 731-4751, or stop by the office located in the Malmstrom clinic. If no one is there, leave a note on the door.

TRICARE
Maintaining healthy eyes and vision is important to your overall health. Retirees and their family members using TRICARE Prime can get an eye exam every two years. Retirees and their families enrolled in Tricare Prime can make an appointment with any TRICARE authorized optometrist or ophthalmologist for an exam without a referral unless they see a provider outside of their region's TRICARE network. Routine eye exams for members using TRICARE Standard and Extra, and TRICARE For Life are not covered.

Thanks to a recent change, TRICARE beneficiaries can visit retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. You can locate a participating retail network pharmacy by calling (877) 363-1303. For more information on TRICARE benefits, call the local TRICARE office at 731-4382 or online at www.tricare.mil.

RETIREE ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
Military Retirees need to carefully review the back of their Retiree Account Statements to verify their designated beneficiaries. Some retirees have noted errors in their RAS' which would cause their benefits to go to the wrong person in case of death.

Are you a recently married or remarried Survivor's Benefits Program participant? New spouses are not automatically covered when a new dependent ID card is issued. Retirees must complete SBP Election Change Certificate (DD Form 2656-6) and mail it to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service with a copy of the marriage certificate. Always ensure that you have complete and correct information in DEERS.

Do you need a copy of your DD Form 214 or retirement orders? If you retired prior to 1995, go to www.archives.gov/veteran to request a DD Form 214. You can also call 1-866-272-6272.

Do you have retiree checklist that contains information that survivors should know? At the least it should contain a military file, retired pay file, tax info, lists of policies and accounts, and who to notify in the event of death. You can obtain a sample checklist by calling the Retiree Activities Office at 731-4751.

TAX TIME
Montana's income tax filing deadline is April 15. If you need a state booklet, call 1-866-859-2254.

The Staff Judge Advocate reminds retirees that VITA volunteers will assist in tax preparation. The location is building 300, room 140. To make an appointment, call 731-4785. The service is free to all retirees and their families.

REMINDER
Spring will be here before we know it. Don't forget the Annual Retirees Appreciation Weekend April 23 - 25. Mark your calendars now. More details will be announced next month.