R 071304Z JUL 17
MARADMIN 353/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/DOC/NDAA/13APR15//
REF/B/DOC/IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM/27JAN2017//
REF/C/DOC/IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM/26APR2017//
REF/D/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/091726ZDEC16//
REF/E/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/161755ZFEB17//
REF/F/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/241845ZMAY17//
REF/G/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/XXXXXXZJUN17//
AMPN/REF A IS SECTIONS 631 THROUGH 635 OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, SUBTITLE D - DISABILITY PAY, RETIRED PAY, AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS. REF B IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICY GUIDANCE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS). REF C IS DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY POLICY GUIDANCE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRS. REF D IS MARADMIN 644/16, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) OPT-IN ELIGIBLE POPULATION NOTIFICATION. REF E IS MARADMIN 085/17, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT. REF F IS MARADMIN 257/17, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM TRAINING UPDATE NUMBER ONE. REF G IS MARADMIN XXX/17, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM TRAINING UPDATE NUMBER TWO.//
POC/RONALD GARNER/MAJ/UNIT: MPO/TEL: 703-784-9563 EMAIL: RONALD.T.GARNER@USMC.MIL/JESSICA PERDEW/CIV/UNIT: MF/TEL: 703-784-9550/703-784-9386 EMAIL: JESSICA.PERDEW@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This MARADMIN announces the release of Marine Corps Bulletin (MCBUL) 1800, Blended Retirement System Policy.
2.  Background.  On 1 January 2018, as directed in reference (a), the military services will transition to the BRS in order to provide a more modern and flexible retirement system.  On 27 January, 2017, the Department of Defense (DoD) released reference (b) to provide further guidance with respect to Service implementation of the BRS.  On 26 April, 2017, the Department of the Navy (DoN) released reference (c), delegating certain BRS implementation authorities to the Navy and Marine Corps.
3.  Marine Corps BRS Implementation Policy. MCBUL 1800, Blended Retirement System Policy, establishes Marine Corps policy for the implementation of the BRS based upon Congressional, DoD, and DoN direction from references (a), (b), and (c) respectively.
4.  Affected Populations.
4.a.  BRS Opt-In Eligible Population.  As indicated in reference (d), all Active Component Marines having fewer than 12 years of service from their Pay Entry Base Date on 31 December 2017 and Reserve Component Marines with fewer than 4,320 retirement points on 31 December 2017 have the option during 2018 to opt-in to the BRS or remain in the legacy retirement system.
4.b.  New Accessions.  All Marines who enter service on or after 1 January 2018 will be under the BRS.
5.  BRS Training Resources. References (e) through (g) provided information about training resources available to the BRS opt-ineligible population.  Additionally, Manpower and Reserve Affairs has created several cheat sheets designed to aid Marines in their use of the BRS Opt-In Calculator described in reference (g). These cheat sheets focus on specific sections of the calculator, providing clarification in order to facilitate the most efficient and effective use of the calculator. They are available on the BRS for Marines website (https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/BRS).
6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve.
7.  Release authorized by LtGen Mark. A. Brilakis, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//