R 092133Z JAN 17
MARADMIN 014/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/MILITARY SAVES WEEK 2017//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/ASD/20160908//
AMPN/REF (A) IS ASD MEMO IN SUPPORT OF 2017 MILITARY SAVES WEEK CAMPAIGN.//
POC/D. FITZGERALD/CIV/UNIT:MFR/-/TEL:703-784-9550/email: darryl.fitzgerald(at)usmc.mil//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This years annual Military Saves Week is 27 February to 4 March 2017.  Military Saves, part of the nationwide America Saves Campaign, is an annual opportunity to encourage Marines and families to focus on financial readiness, reduce debt, and encourage savings.  Per reference (a), 2017 is an especially important time to focus on savings as a large portion of our Marines are on the brink of facing the choice of opting-in to the new Blended Retirement System (BRS) in 2018.
2.  The Military Saves Campaign is a Total Force command program.  It is an excellent opportunity for leaders at all levels to motivate and educate Marines and families.  Commanders are encouraged to show support for financial readiness by signing a command proclamation in support of Military Saves Week and by sponsoring and supporting Military Saves events.  Marines and families are encouraged to take the “Saver Pledge” at http:(SLASH)(SLASH)militarysaves.org and to start saving a little each month. A new optional feature will include receiving up to 4 mobile phone text messages and alerts per month from an automated system in the form of text reminders to encourage completion of pledge.  Research conducted by Consumer Federation of America shows those individuals who receive regular goal based text message reminders save more money than those who do not.
3.  In support of Military Saves, installation Personal Financial Management (PFM) personnel are tasked with organizing and executing Military Saves campaign activities.  Participation kits and collateral materials are available at http:(SLASH)(SLASH)militarysaves.org(SLASH)organizations(SLASH)military-saves-week(SLASH)family-readiness-centers-pfms. Approved financial resources can provide guest speakers, Personal Financial Counselors, special financial products, and presentations to enhance campaign efforts.  Installations are encouraged to partner with installation financial institutions and local approved financial resources.  Installations are encouraged to direct personnel to access the additional Blended Retirement System information on the BRS website at http:(SLASH)(SLASH)militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement and resources found at www.militaryonesource.mil.  PFM staff are encouraged to submit an installation campaign plan to the HQMC PFM Program Manager no later than 23 December 2016.  Locally coordinated, developed, and approved campaign plans should include scheduled activities, partners participating and communication/outreach methods.  Installations are encouraged to document activities in photos and submit photos to the POC listed in this MARADMIN for inclusion in the USMC annual report to OSD.
4.  Additional Military Saves campaign and financial education information is available from installation PFM staff or unit Command Financial Specialists, and online at http :(SLASH)(SLASH)militarysaves.org.
5.  This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 November 2017.
6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve.
7.  Release authorized by BGen K. W. Stein, Director, Marine and Family Programs Division.//