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Commander’s Blended Retirement System (BRS) Smart Pack

What: The new Blended Retirement System combines the legacy 20 year military retirement system (the defined annuity), with a defined contribution plan, known as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). BRS is a new retirement system that goes into effect on 1 January 2018. The opt-in eligible population will be able to elect into BRS or remain grandfathered under the current retirement system. Marines who enter the Marine Corps on or after 1 January 2018 will automatically be enrolled into the BRS.

Who: Who is eligible?

1. Active Duty – Any Marine who has less than 12 years of active service as of 31 December 2017

will have the opportunity to enroll into BRS. Marines who have served more than 12 years as of

31 December 2017 will remain under the current retirement system.

2. Reserve Component - Any Marine who has accumulated less than 4,320 retirement points as of

31 December 2017 will have the opportunity to enroll into BRS, if they are in a paid status (e.g.,

on active duty or affiliated as an Active Reserve, Select Marine Corps Reserve or Individual

Mobilization Augmentee). Marines affiliated with the reserve component who have 4,320 or

more retirement points as of 31 December 2017 will remain under the current retirement

system.

When: 1. Notification Phase: 9 December 2016 – 1 March 2017

2. Training Phase: 1 March 2017 – 31 December 2017

3. Election Phase: 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018

Where: N/A.

Why: The BRS will provide retirement benefits to approximately 85% of the force, rather than the 19% who receive benefits under the legacy system. We are taking care of our Marines by ensuring that they are properly informed before making a major life decision.

How: 1. Training and Education utilizing the Commander’s BRS Smart Pack.

2. Commander’s BRS Smart Pack, Phases 1-3 and Appendixes, describe how the three phases of

BRS implementation will be executed.

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Table of Contents Phase 1: Notification ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Phase 2: Training ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Phase 3: Election ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Appendix A: Timeline ................................................................................................................................ A-1

Appendix B: Command Profile ................................................................................................................... B-1

Appendix C: Resources ............................................................................................................................... C-1

Appendix D: Commander’s Responsibilities ............................................................................................. D-1

Appendix E: Talking Points ......................................................................................................................... E-1

Appendix F: Glossary .................................................................................................................................. F-1

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Phase 1: Notification 1. The BRS notification phase will occur between 9 December 2016 and 1 March 2017.

2. Eligible Marines will be notified by the following:

a. MARADMIN published on USMC website.

b. Electronic notification from HQMC via email for those Marines that have provided their

email in address in MCTFS.

c. Electronic notification from HQMC via Marine Online (MOL).

d. RUC- level commander notification of 100% of their opt-in eligible Marines. Appendix E

includes talking points for your use when notifying your Marines.

3. Notification responsibility can be delegated but compliance will be tracked at the Reported Unit

Code (RUC)-level.

4. Compliance will be measured weekly by M&RA via Command Profile.

a. Command Profile is the application for the RUC-level commander to track and manage

required RUC-level notification and education.

b. See Appendix B for more information.

5. To properly account for Marines who have been notified, report Training Event Code BS via

MCTIMS/UTM (Marine Corps Training Information Management System / Unit Training

Module). Reported data will automatically update Command Profile upon a MCTFS cycle.

a. Units without MCTIMS/UTM capability must upload attendance roster with Names,

EDIPI, and date of notification for unit diary reporting using training event code BS.

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Phase 2: Training 1. The BRS Opt-in training phase begins on 1 March 2017 and continues through 31 December

2017.

a. Note that some Marines might need training through calendar year 2018.

2. Opt-in training is mandatory for all opt-in eligible Marines. Opt-in training must be completed in

order for the Marine to make an election decision to either opt-into BRS or remain

grandfathered under the current retirement system.

3. Modes of Opt-in Training

a. Online Training via Joint Knowledge Online (JKO). The online method is the primary

method of opt-in training.

b. Group Training. Marines are authorized to receive opt-in training as a group by a

qualified instructor: Personal Financial Manager, Command Financial Specialist, or

contracted Personal Financial Counselor. See Appendix F (Glossary).

i. Qualified Instructor. This method requires a signed roster (by the Marines and

the qualified instructor) to be uploaded in MCTIMS/UTM using training code BT.

4. Additional guidance on opt-in training will be provided in early 2017.

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Phase 3: Election 1. The election phase begins on 1 January 2018 and ends 31 December 2018.

2. During the election phase, opt-in eligible Marines must either opt-into BRS or remain

grandfathered under the current retirement system. Further, eligible Marines who want to

remain grandfathered under the current retirement system must record their election

decision. Eligible Marines must complete opt-in training before making an election decision.

a. Modes of election

i. Marine Online (MOL) will be the primary means for Marines to make their

election decision. MOL can be accessed via computer and mobile devices.

Once this action is taken, the RUC-level commander will be able to view

their unit’s completion in command profile.

ii. Marines who do not have access to MOL may fill out an administrative form

to make their election decision. This completed form will be processed by

the unit administrative section. The form and administrative process to

report the election decision is in development.

3. Opt-in eligible Marines have the entire calendar year 2018 to make an election decision.

4. Opt-in decisions into the BRS are irrevocable.

5. Additional guidance on the election phase will be provided in late 2017.

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Appendix A: Timeline

Blended Retirement System Timeline

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Appendix B: Command Profile 1. Go to M&RA Home page:

https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/MRAHome

M&RA Homepage

2. Select the M&RA Applications circle

M&RA Applications Highlighted

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3. Under Manpower Dashboards, select “Command Profile”. Note: All Officers (03 and above)

and Enlisted (E7 and above) have automatic access to this dashboard. If any Marines below

these ranks needs access they can request access from the “Request M&RA Web

Application Access”, as shown below location.

Command Profile Highlighted

4. On the left hand side of the dashboard, click on the financial dropdown.

Training Category Highlighted

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5. In the financial drop down, you will find the Blended Retirement dashboard.

Blended Retirement Dashboard

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Appendix C: Resources

1. General information on the BRS can be found on the DoD website:

http://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/

2. General information on the BRS in plain language can be found on the MCCS Forward

website: http://www.usmc-mccs.org/articles/what-is-the-blended-retirement-

system/

3. The BRS Leader course is currently available through JKO and Military OneSource and

provides information for senior leadership about the BRS.

a. JKO non-CAC Leader course (J3OP-US1330):

http://jko.jten.mil/courses/brs/leader_training/Launch_Course.html

b. Military OneSource: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-and-

legal/personal-financial-management-and-taxes

4. The Financial Counselor/Educator course is currently available through JKO and provides

information for financial counselors and educators about the BRS.

a. JKO non-CAC Financial Counselor/Educator course (J3OP-US1331):

http://jko.jten.mil/courses/brs/fcec_training/launch.html

5. JKO CAC enabled site login: http://jko.jten.mil/

6. If you have any questions about this BRS Commander’s Smart Pack contact 1stLt William

Dennis, William.k.dennis@usmc.mil; (703) 784-9358.

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Appendix D: Commander’s Responsibilities

Notify Marines of your unit who are eligible to opt into BRS and report completion of

notification no later than 1 March 2017.

Ensure eligible Marines of your unit complete opt-in training during calendar year 2017.

Remind eligible Marines of your unit that the BRS opt-in training is mandatory.

Ensure eligible Marines of your unit are provided ample time and access to retirement and

financial management counseling.

Encourage eligible Marines of your unit to share and discuss financial and retirement

information with their family.

Ensure eligible Marines of your unit make an election decision during calendar year 2018

o Note: Marines have the entire calendar year 2018 to make an election decision.

Remind Marines that an election decision to opt into BRS is irrevocable.

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Appendix E: Talking Points

Below are Commander’s talking points for notifying your opt-in eligible BRS Marines.

Three phases of the BRS implementation.

o Notification (Current Phase)

o Training (Calendar Year 2017)

o Election (Calendar Year 2018)

Eligibility

o Active Duty – A Marine who has less than 12 years of service since their Pay Entry Base

Date as of 31 December 2017 will have the opportunity to enroll into the BRS. Marines

who have served more than 12 years as of 31 December 2017 will remain under the

current retirement system.

AND / OR

o Reserve Component - A Marine who has accumulated less than 4,320 retirement points

as of 31 December 2017 will have the opportunity to enroll into BRS, if they are in a paid

status (e.g., on active duty or affiliated as a Select Marine Corps Reserve or Individual

Mobilization Augmentation). Marines affiliated with the reserve component who have

4,320 or more retirement points as of 31 December 2017 will remain under the current

retirement system.

The opt-in training is mandatory for all opt-in eligible Marines before making an election,

regardless of the decision to opt-in or not. Mandatory opt-in training will be completed in

calendar year 2017.

BRS election

o Will occur in calendar year 2018.

o Once you elect to opt into BRS, the decision is irrevocable.

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Appendix F: Glossary

Personal Financial Manager (PFM): The primary source for financial education, training and counseling for Service members. Installation PFMs possess a background in personal financial management or a related field and have attained, or must attain within 24 months of hire date, designation as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE).

Command Financial Specialist (CFS): The unit CFS is a primary source for unit financial education and training. In addition, the CFS functions as the individual unit’s principal advisor on policies and matters related to financial education. A CFS must be appointed by the unit commander, hold the rank of E-6 or above, must complete the 40 hour CFS training program offered by the installation PFM, and participate in installation PFM forums to obtain continuing education on current financial readiness topics. MCO 1700.37 provides guidance and requirements for unit financial education programs.

Contracted Personal Financial Counselor (PFC): Contractor personnel provided by DoD to augment installation PFM services. PFC support is requested from OSD via Service HQ PFM Program Manager.