Beginning in 2018, Uniformed Services will implement a new retirement plan. This new retirement system blends together the defined benefits of the legacy retirement along with matching contributions to Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and a mid-career continuation pay bonus. This Blended Retirement System (BRS) will not only continue to award those who are vested at 20 years but will allow service members who choose to depart early to leave with some retirement savings and start on the path to a financially successful future.
The NDAA of 2016 and amended by the NDAA of 2017, created a new retirement system for all seven Uniformed Services titled the Blended Retirement System (BRS). BRS takes from the old defined benefit (DB) retirement and introduces TSP contributions and a mid-career continuation pay (CP). In BRS, the DB is reduced from a 2.5% multiplier to a 2.0% multiplier, vesting at 20 years of service. The reduction in the DB retirement is offset by services contributing up to 5% matching in a members TSP account as well as paying out CP. CP is a one-time, mid-career bonus in exchange for obligated service.
Each service has the discretion to establish the amount of CP, years of service eligibility and length of obligated service within the parameters dictated by the NDAA. Services are authorized to adjust these values to assist with retention and attrition as needed.
NOAA Corps, along with the other Uniformed Services, has elected to use a 2.5 times multiplier for the CP at 12 years with a service agreement of an additional 4 years.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2018, officers with less than 12 years of service as of December 31, 2017, will have the option to opt-in to the new, Uniformed Services BRS.
TSP and BRS; December 5, 2017, 1pm- 2pm ET
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7926654588548397313
TSP Investment Funds and Managing Your Account; December 9, 2017; 1pm-2pm ET
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7528749027037031427