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Information and Resources for Military Retirees

Virtual Commissary opens for business

Commissary shoppers looking for a different kind of gift can let their “fingers do the clicking” at the new Virtual Commissary (http://www.commissaries.com). One of the Defense Commissary Agency’s (DeCA) business partners, Kraft Foods, Inc., kicked off commissary Internet shopping with a selection of gift baskets. DeCA officials expect the number of vendors and manufacturers to increase.

Everything in the gift baskets can be found on commissary shelves, but the packaging adds a new twist. With titles like “Camouflage,” “Drill Sergeant,” and “Touch of Home,” the baskets offer assortments of crackers, canned cheeses, cookies, candies, beverages and coffee packs. To access the extended commissary, shoppers must pass through a secure portal at the DeCA Web site. Personal information entered is validated to ensure the customer is an authorized shopper, entered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Virtual Commissary customers can make selections and fill in payment and shipping information, before being transferred to the manufacturer’s site where they get the total cost (including shipping), and finalize their purchase.

Customers can check for availability of delivery to APO and FPO addresses and get more information on the gift baskets by clicking on the basket at the Virtual Commissary. Payment can be made with any credit card accepted in “real” commissaries. Customer information is not archived by DeCA. Down the road, Virtual Commissary expansion could include making a wide variety of commissary products available, a feature that would allow deployed military service members, retirees, and other authorized shoppers to order items at commissary savings – no matter where they live.

New Veteran ID cards help battle identity theft

     With identity theft as the major fraud reported by Americans , the Department of Veterans Affairs has designed a new identity card for veterans that will safeguard confidential information.
     “The new identification card ensures veterans’ personal information is protected,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “It also helps prevent the theft of important benefits and services from veterans that they earned by their service to our country.”
     The card, formally known as the Veterans Identity Card, will have veterans’ photos on the front and identify them as enrollees in the VA’s health care system. Encrypted on a magnetic tape on the back of the card will be the veteran’s Social Security number, date of birth and a control number. The magnetic strip also records whether the veteran has a service-connected disability. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. The Federal Trade Commission listed identity theft as the number one fraud reported by consumers in 2003.
     Requests from veterans and their congressional representatives were instrumental in bringing about these latest changes.
     “The new VIC ensures the security of veterans’ personal information as well as ensuring that only eligible veterans receive the benefits and services they’ve earned,” said Kristin Cunningham of the business office for VA’s health care system.
     Veterans should request the new card at their local medical center.
     Processing will take five to seven days once eligibility is verified. The existing cards will remain valid until veterans receive their new cards.

TRICARE Introduces New Web-Based Pharmacy Search Tool

Reprinted from "Evening Colors"

TRICARE announces the new pharmacy Formulary Search Tool, which allows beneficiaries to find medication-specific information using either a drug name or a medical condition. The Formulary Search Tool can be accessed through the TRICARE Pharmacy Web site. The Formulary Search Tool can be used to:

  • Check availability of specific medications through the TRICARE Mail Order or Retail Pharmacy programs.

  • Discover which medications are on the Basic Core Formulary. These medications must be made available at all full service military pharmacies.

  • Find co-payment information for prescription medications, including injectable medications.

  • Learn about generic equivalents for brand-name medications, quantity limits prior authorization requirements.

  • View and print prior authorization criteria and forms.

  • Learn about FDA approved drug uses, side effects and potential interactions with other medications.

Beneficiaries should consult their provider, pharmacist, or other health care professional for specific questions regarding their medications.

For more information on the TRICARE Pharmacy Program and at access the Formulary Search Tool, visit the TRICARE Pharmacy home page, www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy. The search tool is accessible directly at www.tricareformularysearch.org.

COMMISSARY PRIVILEGE CARDS

Effective immediately, in accordance with Sec. 651 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, unlimited access to commissary stores is now authorized for the Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, Retired Reserve eligible for retired pay at or after age 60 (gray area retirees), former members in receipt of a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) and dependents of the members described above. Unmarried widows/children of deceased eligible sponsors are also eligible for unlimited access.

The previous limit of 24 annual visits and the requirement of earning 50 retirement points per calendar year has been lifted.

Access to the DOD commissaries is obtained by presenting a valid DOD identification card. Commissary Privilege Cards will no longer be required or issued.

DFAS expands automated services for retirees and annuitants

Reprinted from "Semper Fidelis".

By using the DFAS Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), retirees and annuitants can obtain specific account information. When customers call 1-800-321-1080 or (216) 522-5955), they will hear a new menu option to use this feature. Customers choosing to use this new feature will be prompted to enter their social security number and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Those who have an account with myPay can use the same PIN to access the IVRS. Using the IVRS, customers will be able to obtain specific account information in the following areas:

  • Correspondence address,

  • Allotments,

  • Certificate of Eligibility or Report of Existence,

  • Deductions,

  • Gross and net pay,

  • Survivor Benefit Plan coverage, and

  • Federal and state taxes.

The IVRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are interested in creating a myPay account:(https://mypay.dfas.mil).

2006 Retired Military Almanac

The Retired Military Almanac is published, not only for the already retired members, but for all military personnel considering retirement. This revised 256 page edition contains information on benefits, entitlements, privileges and restrictions, as well as detailed coverage of retired pay, Concurrent Receipt military health care, TRICARE, VA and Social Security, SBP, legislation, installation listings and many other subjects of interest to retirees. Also included is important information regarding Federal and State taxes. The Retired Military Almanac is published in February each year.( http://www.militaryalmanac.com).

 

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3725 Westwind Blvd
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
PO Box 4059
Santa Rosa, CA 95402-4059
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