R 231730Z JAN 19
MARADMIN 040/19
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM OPT-IN ELECTION PERIOD WRAP-UP AND FOLLOW UP ACTIONS//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/241631ZOCT18//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF/171517ZJUL18//
AMPN/ REF A IS MARADMIN 611/18, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) HARDSHIP EXTENSION OF ELECTION PERIOD.  REF B IS MARADMIN 398/18, FINANCIAL EDUCATION ACTION POINTS.//
POC/ ALAN HARGIS/CIV/UNIT: MPO-40/TEL: 703-784-9386 EMAIL: ALAN.HARGIS@USMC.MIL/JONATHAN BOOTH/MAJ/UNIT:MFR/TEL:703-784-9550 EMAIL:JOHN.BOOTH1@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The Blended Retirement System (BRS) opt-in election period ended on 31 December 2018 with approximately 93,000 Marines selecting the BRS.
2.  Eligible Marines who did not register their decision before 1 January 2019 remain in the legacy retirement system by default.
3.  Marines unable to enroll before 1 January 2019 due to verifiable hardships may receive an extension for BRS enrollment.  Eligibility criteria and procedural guidance for requesting a BRS enrollment hardship extension are described in reference (a).
4.  Some Marines who opted into the BRS are contributing nothing to their TSP accounts.  BRS participants receive the full benefit of government matching funds only by contributing 5 percent of their basic pay to TSP.  Commanders should advise Marines to verify their TSP contribution percentages by accessing their DFAS MyPay accounts.
5.  Marines must complete financial education at specific points in their careers to assist them in making informed financial decisions.  Marines and their commanders are notified via MOL messages when financial education is required and reference (b) provides amplifying guidance regarding financial education action points.
6.  Marines may send questions regarding BRS eligibility and enrollment to BRS@usmc.mil and financial questions to the MFR point of contact.
7.  Release authorized by Brigadier General William H. Swan, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division//