Comments for Military Retirement & Financial Independence http://the-military-guide.com Financial independence & early retirement for veterans and their families. Tue, 21 May 2013 11:45:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Comment on TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare by Jane http://the-military-guide.com/2013/05/20/tricare-prime-premiums-and-united-healthcare/#comment-19908 Jane Tue, 21 May 2013 11:45:02 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=3472#comment-19908 We are Midwest. UHC decided my active duty son’s wife was a man. Then they denied her 30 week pregnancy. It took a few hours on the phone to straighten it out.
I hope that our premiums are still being taken out of our check. I guess we had better check!

Almost as bad is the active duty change in dental. They moved from Delta to Mass Mutual. This dental plan pays 1988 rates to dentists. Almost all of the dentists in my town area no longer see active duty or their dependents. They have informed retirees that if they lose Delta they would be happy to see them on a cash basis. Since my dentist charges very little (on dental scales) to begin with….

]]> Comment on Lifestyles in military retirement: learning to surf in Hawaii by Mel M http://the-military-guide.com/2011/03/28/lifestyles-in-military-retirement-learning-to-surf-in-hawaii/#comment-19898 Mel M Tue, 21 May 2013 08:40:55 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=638#comment-19898 Thanks Nords…might have to take you up on that offer…when the waves are significantly tamer than what they’ve been lately on the south shores of Oahu.
My wife and I do some SUP at Hickam Beach, where the waves aren’t too crazy…nice easy paddling on those relatively calm waters.

]]> Comment on Over a decade later, REDUX still sucks by Reader Challenge Roundup: Readers Choice and the Next [BIG!] Challenge | Mocco http://the-military-guide.com/2012/08/16/over-a-decade-later-redux-still-sucks/#comment-19893 Reader Challenge Roundup: Readers Choice and the Next [BIG!] Challenge | Mocco Tue, 21 May 2013 08:02:44 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=2364#comment-19893 [...] Over a Decade Later, REDUX Still Sucks [PILLAR POST] by Doug from The Military Guide [...]

]]> Comment on TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare by Doug Nordman http://the-military-guide.com/2013/05/20/tricare-prime-premiums-and-united-healthcare/#comment-19887 Doug Nordman Tue, 21 May 2013 06:38:53 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=3472#comment-19887 Thanks, “Ben”!

We had our own problems with TRIWEST, but I think providers have the most problems with reimbursement rates.

Right now it looks like UHC has a significant issue with training their people. But I have to admit that it makes no sense to fill out thousands of beneficiary EFT authorizations all over again just because the contractor changes.

I suspect that DoD is doing their best to strangle Tricare Prime. It must have seemed like a good idea all those years ago but the expense of maintaining the network (and referrals and authorizations and other admin) appears to be more expensive than Tricare Standard.

]]> Comment on Lifestyles in military retirement: learning to surf in Hawaii by Doug Nordman http://the-military-guide.com/2011/03/28/lifestyles-in-military-retirement-learning-to-surf-in-hawaii/#comment-19855 Doug Nordman Mon, 20 May 2013 23:43:18 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=638#comment-19855 Mel, I hear you on the shoulders & lats. My daughter and I just paddled out for our sixth straight day, and I’ve been thoroughly thrashed by 10-12 footers. I’m actually looking forward to a few “slow” rides in the 4-8-foot range.

The White Plains lifeguards have moved their rentals to the main building (it used to be the restaurant) and they have more choices. (They’re open every weekday at 10 AM and I believe they’re open earlier on weekends.) You may find that a 10’6″ or 11’0″ soft-top is perfect for your current skill level. The more you paddle, the better it gets. The practice sure builds muscle, but you also become more efficient in your stroke and in timing the waves.

Another option is stand-up paddleboarding. They rent several of those, too. One day this summer when the water’s warm and the waves are flat, I’m going to talk my spouse into giving SUP a try with me.

My biggest board is a 10’0″ epoxy. Let me know if you want to try it out sometime, or if you want me to meet you at White Plains to give you a hand on the breaks with one of their rentals!

]]> Comment on Retiring from the Reserves and National Guard by Doug Nordman http://the-military-guide.com/2010/12/06/retiring-from-the-reserves-and-national-guard/#comment-19853 Doug Nordman Mon, 20 May 2013 23:26:11 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=254#comment-19853 Thanks for your comment, Nathaniel!

There are still the two options: “retired awaiting pay” and “discharge”.

“Retired awaiting pay” is the option that you want. Keep in mind that you’ll still be technically eligible for mobilization in the event of a war, but for ANG retired awaiting pay it would require a “full mobilization” that has not been seen since WWII.

I’m not sure what your administrative procedures will look like, but the option to retire awaiting pay is by far the most common choice and will probably be the first one presented. Your pension will be calculated using the pay tables in effect in 2019 or 2020 (whenever you turn age 60) and at the maximum longevity for your rank.

You do not want to “resign” or be “discharged” or be “separated”.

As I understand the current procedures, you’ll need to start by logging in to your Air Force MyPers website:
https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/login/redirect/processes/form/kw/14276%2Ffn%2Frcalc
Ideally your unit would also have a personnel office who’s able to help with the references and verifying your point count.

Here are some related posts:
http://the-military-guide.com/2013/04/11/reserve-military-pension-for-discharge-instead-of-retired-awaiting-pay/
http://the-military-guide.com/2013/03/04/military-reserve-and-national-guard-retirement-calculators/
http://the-military-guide.com/2012/02/27/calculating-a-reserve-retirement/
http://the-military-guide.com/2011/04/14/the-reserve-component-survivor-benefit-plan/

Please let us know how the retirement process works out for you!

]]> Comment on 40 miles for Tricare Prime — or maybe Tricare Standard by TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare http://the-military-guide.com/2013/01/31/40-miles-for-tricare-prime-or-maybe-tricare-standard/#comment-19842 TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare Mon, 20 May 2013 21:14:37 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=3069#comment-19842 [...] Related articles: Military benefits after one enlistment 40 miles for Tricare Prime — or maybe Tricare Standard [...]

]]> Comment on Military benefits after one enlistment (part 2 of 2) by TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare http://the-military-guide.com/2013/04/01/military-benefits-after-one-enlistment-part-2-of-2/#comment-19841 TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare Mon, 20 May 2013 21:12:56 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=3288#comment-19841 [...] articles: Military benefits after one enlistment 40 miles for Tricare Prime — or maybe Tricare [...]

]]> Comment on TRICARE Prime premiums and United Healthcare by Ben http://the-military-guide.com/2013/05/20/tricare-prime-premiums-and-united-healthcare/#comment-19824 Ben Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:29 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=3472#comment-19824 I had the same thing happen to me back in Dec with then TRIWEST. They could see all the notes and the error on their part however I had to initiate a reinstatement request with all the documentation.

The shift to United Concordia has been horrible. We have friends who own PT rehab places and United Concordia has not paid them in almost 60 days to the tune of $200K. Several of their competitors have closed shop and this is putting more strain on access to care. With TRIWEST the medical office could call and get your referral. United Concordia will not let the office get the referral and only allow the patient. We just went thru this with an issue. Took 3 or 4 phone calls to even get an answer then another week for the paper to come to give to the Drs office. I also heard that when the contract was let there was to be no change in reinbursements to providers. However there appears to be a 10% decrease. Also heard TRIWEST bid was significantly lower than United Concordia. Of course the last two sentences is just what I heard so it could be in the category of Bigfoot, Nessy, etc. so readers beware. I think eventually it will get straightened out however its going to be a long process if things don’t get better.

]]> Comment on Lifestyles in military retirement: learning to surf in Hawaii by Mel M http://the-military-guide.com/2011/03/28/lifestyles-in-military-retirement-learning-to-surf-in-hawaii/#comment-19794 Mel M Mon, 20 May 2013 08:35:18 +0000 http://the-military-guide.com/?p=638#comment-19794 A couple of years ago, my daughter and I got surfing lessons in Waikiki…and it seemed so easy to catch a wave and stand up with those slow, rolling waves..specially on those 11′ boards. A month or so later, I went with a friend of mine to White Plains, rented a 10′ and was on the water for seemingly an eternity and could not stand up at all. I was so frustrated and have never gone back surfing. Maybe when my brothers in law from Cali come for another visit (both are surfers), then I might go back in the water and try again.
But you are right about those shoulder and lat muscles screaming with soreness after less than an hour paddling out..especially if you are not used to it.

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