Every single day, I meet a service member or spouse who either doesn’t know about the military’s new Blended Retirement System (BRS), knows wrong information about BRS, or doesn’t know enough about BRS. It’s worrying and frustrating and concerning all at the same time.
For anyone who is eligible to opt-in to the BRS, this may be the biggest financial decision of your military life. (If you make it to retirement, the Survivor Benefit Plan choice is also a contender for most important decision.) It’s scary that people don’t even know what they’re deciding.
In an attempt to make sure everyone is getting as much information as possible, here’s a list of every online resource I know to learn about BRS. It is vitally important that every service member who is eligible to opt-in to BRS understands what they’re choosing.
Keep in mind, though, that this information isn’t just available online. Every service member is receiving in-person training, and my sources tell me that most commands are inviting spouses to this training. Also, installation family support centers have personal financial counselors/specialists who can meet with individuals to make sure they understand what they’re reading and hearing. Lastly, you can get individual education, online or via the telephone through Military OneSource.
Joint Knowledge Online (JKO)
The official place to learn this information is through Joint Knowledge Online (JKO). Spouses who do not have a Common Access Card (CAC) may apply for a JKO account at this webpage: https://secure.jten.mil/jkohd/sponsored.jsp. Depending on your computer’s settings, you may have to click through some security warnings to get to the page. This account request will require validation from a .gov, .mil, ndu.edu, nps.edu or dodea.edu email address.
There are five BRS trainings available at JKO:
- Blended Retirement System (BRS) Opt-In Course (this is the course that is mandatory for BRS-eligible service members)
- Blended Retirement System (BRS) Financial Counselor-Educator Course
- Leader Training to Introduce the Blended Retirement System (BRS) for the Uniformed Services
- Blended Retirement Calculator Course (Active) (this course online shows up after enrolling in above classes)
- Blended Retirement Calculator Courses (Reserve) (this course online shows up after enrolling in above classes)
The Department of Defense
Main BRS webpage with lots of links – there is an amazing amount of information linked form this page!
Frequently Asked Questions About The New Blended Retirement System
Active Duty Military Spouses: What You Should Know About The New Blended Retirement System
YouTube
The Department of Defense has put together a playlist of videos about BRS. These include:
DoD Guru Explains New Blended Retirement System
Blended Military Retirement System Begins Jan. 1
Blended Retirement System: The First Four Years
Military OneSource
Military OneSource offers a variety of resources, including:
Blended Retirement System – The Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The New Blended Retirement System
Non-DoD Sources
When you’re looking for different perspectives or non-official information, there are many websites and blogs that are talking about BRS.
Military Life Planning with Daniel Kopp:
Blended Retirement System Overview
Blended Retirement System Considerations
USAA And The Final Month To Opt Into The Military Blended Retirement System
Your Military Blended Retirement System: It’s Not About The Money
Should You Choose The Military’s Blended Retirement System?
Tricky Details of the Military Blended Retirement System
The Military Blended Retirement System: “Dude, Where’s My Calculator?”
USAA’s Retirement Comparison Tool and The Blended Retirement System
Beware Of Huge Flaws In The Military Blended Retirement System
9 Things To Consider Before You Choose The Military’s New Blended Retirement System
Military Blended Retirement System Spreadsheet (it’s a guest post from MilitaryFIRE.com)
Christine Maxwell of Her Money Moves:
Hey Military Spouse: This is Why You Need to Understand the Blended Retirement System
I Took The Blended Retirement System Opt-In Training, and This Is What I Learned
A Blended Retirement System Roundup – My Favorite Posts
Airmen Mildollar from Military Dollar:
The Blended Retirement System – Part 1: The Basics
The Blended Retirement System – Part 2: Eligibility and Versions
The Blended Retirement System – Part 3: Comparing Systems
The Blended Retirement System – Part 4: FAQs, Myths, and My Opinions
Blended Retirement System: One Month Til Opt-In Starts
Q&A With A Blended Retirement System Expert
Opting In To The Blended Retirement System – Step By Step Instructions
8 Weeks In: A Blended Retirement System Update
Career Expectation vs Reality: 9 Friends Explain Why They Left The Military
I Wrote A Mega Thread On Twitter About The Blended Retirement System
Would I Have Switched To BRS If Given The Option? Part 1
Would I Have Switched To BRS If Given The Option? Part 2
I May Need To Leave The Military Early
How To Opt-In To The Blended Retirement System
Blended Retirement System: The New Military BRS
I Will Opt-In To The Blended Retirement System (You Should Too)
Blended Retirement System (BRS) – Everything You Need to Know About the New Military Retirement Plan
Should You Choose the Blended Retirement System (BRS)? 10 Factors
Military Retirement Plan – Military Bloggers Discuss The Pros and Cons
The Blended Retirement System Explained
Study: Blended Retirement System Won’t Hurt Retirees Or Force
Blended Retirement: Government Contributions to TSP
Blended Retirement: Continuation Pay
Ten Things About The Military’s Blended Retirement System
BRS Consideration: Thrift Savings Plan Balances Are Inheritable
Sean Gillespie from Redeployment Wealth Strategies
Blended Retirement System: Time’s Up, Get Off the Fence!
USAA’s Blended Retirement Resources and Comparison Tool
Military Families Magazine: 3 Things to Consider with the Blended Retirement System
the Atlantic’s City Lab: How a Change to Military Benefits Will Affect Millions of Workers
Forbes: This Generation of Military Servicemembers Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime
The window to opt-in to the Blended Retirement System ends 31 December 2018. If you’re eligible, and you haven’t made a thoughtful and educated choices, read this stuff today. Don’t wait until the last week of December – one forget, or a down server, and you’re locked into the legacy system forever, even if that isn’t what you want.
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