Tuesday, November 15, 2016
What is it?
The Army Retirement Services Office develops Army policy and oversees Army programs that prepare Soldiers and their Families for retirement and assists survivors of Soldiers who die on active duty, retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, and their Families until death.
The Army Retirement Services Office was started Nov. 14, 1955, with the focus of providing an effective channel of communication between the active Army and retired Soldiers. The program educates Soldiers and their Families on their rights, benefits and privileges before and after retirement.
What has the Army done?
The Army Retirement Services Office manages a network of more than two million Army retired Soldiers and spouses. In fiscal year 2015, the Army more than 39,000 Soldiers retired. In fiscal year 2016, the Army supported and provided resources to more than 32,000 Soldiers transitioning to retirement, including more than 11,000 who received a medical retirement.
Retirement Services Offices have been established at most Army installations, at all Army Reserve Regional Support Command Headquarters and National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, and are available to assist retiring and retired Soldiers and Family members with military retirement-related matters.
In accordance with AR 600-8-7, Army Retirement Services develops and perpetually reviews the service’s policy and procedures for the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) program.
The Army Retirement Service Office publishes Army Echoes, the newsletter for retired Soldiers, surviving spouses and their families that provides updates on changes to their benefits and entitlements, developments within the Army, and how they can continue to support the Army.
Additionally, the Army Retirement Services Office develops policy for the operation of the Army Retirement Services Program and administers the Army Chief of Staff’s Retiree Council.
What continued efforts are planned for the future?
The Army Retirement Services Office will continue to promote its dual mottos that “retirement is a process, not an event” and “not retiree, retired Soldier; just a change of mission.”
The continued focus of these efforts will be to ensure these individuals remain informed of the benefits and privileges to which they are entitled and have earned through honorable military service.
Why is this important to the Army?
The Army remains committed to the lifelong success of Soldiers, veterans and their Families and sustains a connection with them to provide opportunities for employment, education and health care after military service. Individuals who join America’s Army become a Soldier for Life – a member of an elite team that makes positive impacts worldwide.
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