Retirement Services Office

Mission

To provide quality service regarding benefits, entitlements, information and referral to retirees, their families as well as active duty Soldiers and their families preparing for retirement. The Retirement Services Office also publishes the Fort Bliss Retiree Bulletin, advises and supports the Fort Bliss Retiree Council, develops public support of Army Retirement Programs and informs the retired community of upcoming events of interest. 

 

Pre-Retirement Services

  • Provide detailed retirement planning and SBP briefings for all retiring Soldiers.
  • Counsel Soldiers and Family members about retirement benefits and entitlements.
  • Conduct group and individual SBP counseling for all retiring Soldiers and their Family members.
  • Conduct RCSPB Counseling, as requested for RC Soldiers, and their Family members within 60 days after receipt of the NOE for Retired Pay.
  • Assist Retiring RC Soldiers and Family members, as requested, with completion of the DD Form 2656-5, upon receipt of the NOE for Retired Pay.
  • Assist retiring RC Soldiers and Family members with completion of the retirement application including DD Form 108 (Application for Retired Pay Benefits), DD Form 2656, and SF 1199A (Direct Deposit Sign-up Form).
  • Provide an estimate of the Reduced Age Retirement eligibility date, as applicable.
  • Process the DD Form 2656 electronically using applicable personnel system(s) to DFAS – CL.
  • Provide information about retiring, such as retirement application processing, retirement orders, DD Form 214 processing, and final out-processing procedures.
  • Provide information about and promote use of Change of Mission for retirement planning.
  • Provide information about Army Echoes and converting Soldiers’ enterprise email addresses in myPay to commercial email addresses before retirement.
  • Provide information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses, and former spouses about the USFSPA.
  • Advise Soldiers about Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and assist them in applying for benefits.
  • Advise Soldiers about Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay (CRDP).
  • Advise retiring Soldiers about electing a lump sum benefit at retirement and the impact of that election on monthly retired pay and the SBP premiums and annuity.

 

Post-Retirement Services

  • Publish garrison Retired Soldier newsletters annually. Post a copy to the local Retirement Services Office webpage.
  • Conduct an annual Retiree Appreciation Day (RAD).
  • Advise Retired Soldiers about CRSC and assist them in applying for benefits.
  • Advise Retired Soldiers about CRDP.
  • Advise Retired Soldiers and Family members how to obtain copies of lost documents (for example, DD Form 214, DD Form 220 (Active Duty Report), retirement orders, and medical records); reissued military awards; and military identification cards.
  • Provide Retired Soldiers and their Families with information and referrals for benefits/entitlements provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tri-service medical care (TRICARE), Social Security, Medicare, and other providers.
  • Inform Retired Soldiers of their eligibility to receive employment services from the Army Transition Assistance Program on a space available basis for the rest of their lives.
  • Advise and assist Retired Soldiers in maintaining their SBP and RCSBP elections.
  • Counsel and assist survivors of Retired Soldiers, and Soldiers who die on active duty or IDT about their SBP options and entitlements, and the proper processing of their SBP applications including counseling about Department of Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and its relationship to SBP.
  • Provide information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses, and former spouses about the USFSPA.

 

Monthly Pre-Retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan Briefing

  • Conducted on the 3rd Monday of every month. Exception: If falls on a Holiday (or Thanksgiving Week), will be moved to the prior Monday.
  • Noon to 4 p.m.
  • 1AD Museum (always verify with RSO the week prior to attending)
  • Duty Uniform
  • ID Card
  • No Children
  • Spouses encouraged to attend.

 

Retirement Ceremonies

  • Conducted every last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. Exception: none conducted in June or December.
  • Location:  Soldier Hall (always verify with RSO the week prior to attending).

 

Retiree Appreciation Day

  • The Fort Bliss Soldier for Life-Retirement Services Office and various support agencies provide valuable information at the annual Retiree Appreciation Day, specifically for the Military Retiree Community concerning legislative issues of interest regarding military benefits, health care, Veteran/Survivor issues, installation updates, and local services available.
  • 2-day Event
    • Oct. 10, 8 a.m. - UTC, Golf Tournament at the Underwood Golf Complex, 3200 Coe Avenue (Bldg. 3193)
    • Oct. 11, 8 a.m. - UTC, RAD event begins with a breakfast, opening remarks and follows with the Retiree Appreciation Day activities. Event is at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, Building 11199, Sgt. E. Churchill Street.

 

Helpful Links - Government

• DFAS-Cleveland (Retired & Annuitant Pay) • TRICARE Retired Reserve
• Combat Related Special Compensation • Medicare
• Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay • Social Security
• Army Homepage • Space Available Travel
  • Thrift Savings Plan
• U.S. Army Human Resource Command-Fort Knox • National Personnel Records Center
• Army Transition Assistance Program • Military Personnel Records Request
• Veterans Administration • RAPIDS Site Locator (DEERS Enrollment and ID Card-Issuing Facilities)
• SGLI and VGLI • Army Retirement Services
• Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) • Air Force Afterburner
• Military Funeral Honors • Coast Guard Evening Colors
• Burial and Memorial Benefits • Marine Corps Semper Fi
• DOD Military Health Care System (TRICARE) • Navy Shift Colors


 

Helpful Links - Commercial

• Army Emergency Relief (AER) • FEDVIP (Dental/Vision)
• Federal Long Term Care Insurance • Exchange