R 031842Z APR 18
MARADMIN 194/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM OPT-IN ELECTION PERIOD UPDATE NUMBER 1//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/071304ZJUL17//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/071337ZDEC17//
RFC/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/161231ZOCT17//
AMPN/REF A IS MARADMIN 353/17, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM POLICY ANNOUCEMENT. REF B IS MARADMIN 662/17, BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM ELECTION PERIOD ANNOUNCEMENT. REF C IS MARADMIN 575/17, CONTINUATION PAY PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018 FOR BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM PARTICIPANTS.//
POC/ALAN HARGIS/CIV/UNIT: MPO-40/TEL: 703-784-9386/EMAIL: ALAN.HARGIS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The Blended Retirement System (BRS) is the most significant change to the DoD retirement policy in decades.  It is critical that commanders, senior enlisted advisors, and small-unit leaders ensure their Marines understand the details involved.  While many Marines may prefer to remain in the legacy retirement system, many may choose to enroll into the BRS.  Regardless of their decision, every eligible Marine must register a decision to either remain in the legacy retirement system or enroll into the BRS by 31 December 2018.  References (a) and (b) provide detailed guidance regarding eligibility and enrollment methods.
2.  The BRS enrollment period began on 1 January 2018 and as of 28 March 2018, 46,196 Marines have registered their decision in Marine Online.  Over 142,000 eligible Marines have yet to make an election.
3.  Personal financial counselors are ready to assist Marines with understanding their retirement choices.  To find your local counselor, use the online address:  http:(Slash)(Slash)usmc-mccs.org and select Services and scroll down to Personal Financial Management.  Additionally, Military One Source offers free financial counseling by telephone for service members with questions about their retirement plan choices.  Marines are encouraged to use this service by calling (800) 342-9647.
4.  Marines are reminded that a decision to enroll into the BRS, once registered, is irrevocable and cannot be changed.
5.  For Marines that decide BRS is their preferred option, the earlier they register an election, the sooner they begin accruing government Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions.
  5.1.  BRS participants are guaranteed automatic one percent government contributions (amount equal to one percent of monthly basic pay or drill pay) starting the first full pay period after they opt in.  BRS participants who do not make TSP contributions still receive the government automatic contribution.
  5.2.  BRS participants who make TSP contributions from their monthly basic pay or drill pay also qualify for government matching contributions.  Maximum government matching occurs when Marines contribute five percent of their monthly basic pay or drill pay.  BRS participants who do not make TSP contributions will not receive matching contributions.
  5.3.  Marines are encouraged to verify their percentage of monthly TSP contributions and the type of pay they are contributing to TSP.
6.  BRS participants who will complete 12 YOS during calendar year 2018 will be offered Continuation Pay (CP).  Marines must sign the CP Statement of Understanding (SOU) accepting or declining CP before completing 12 YOS, and submit the SOU to their unit administrative office.  Marines who sign the SOU on or after completing 12 YOS will have missed the eligible period and cannot receive CP.  A commissioned officer or chief warrant officer must sign the witness block of the SOU to validate the date the Marine signed the SOU.  12 YOS is defined as 12 years and zero days of service as calculated from the Marine’s Pay Entry Base Date.  Read reference (c) for more details about CP.
7.  For more information, the Commander’s BRS Smart Pack and all references are available at https:(Slash)(Slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/BRS.  Please email questions to BRS@usmc.mil.
8.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
9.  Release authorized by BGen Scott Benedict, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division//