Beacon 2018 Spring Edition Gold Star Spouses Recognition Day Gold Star Spouses Day/Remembering our Fallen Service members event took place on 14 April 2018 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA. Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) partnered with Sarah Vargo, SOS Coordinator Camp Murray, Army National Guard (ARNG). Gold Star Spouses and their families enjoyed a day at the zoo, walked around to resource tables, received a SOS tote bag, and was entry into a raffle to win gift baskets.
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Spring Clean your Finances By Tina Mann
Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselor Spring is here with the warmer weather just around the corner (hopefully). Daylight savings time is here, and the sun starts to shine more and it puts everyone in a cleaning mood. Everyone starts to declutter, spring clean their homes and spruce up their yards. Sometimes we don’t think about spring cleaning our finances. You may ask yourself, what does that mean? I am going to explain and give you some tips on spring cleaning your finances.
1. Financial Records Shred old financial documents. Your local credit union or bank may offer this service for free. Here is a suggestion on how long you should keep financial records: Tax Returns- IRS recommends keeping them for three years or maybe longer if you need them for other requirements. 1099s- Three years with your tax returns. Individual Retirement Accounts- Keep the records as long as the account is open. 401(K) plan statements- Save your end of year statements and quarterly statements for the current year. Bank statements- Keep them for three months if you plan for apply for loans. Credit Cards- Hold on to credit card receipts until your statements arrive and you verify they are correct. Checks- Shred the checks once you balance the account to ensure it has cleared the bank. Loans- Keep the statement with the current balance, retain the final payment for evidence for seven years. Insurance policies and premium payment evidence- Keep them until the policy expires. Medical Records- Medical insurance statements, doctor’s bills, prescriptions and hospital bills should be kept for five years from date of service. Real Estate Records- Keep documents of the purchase, sale as well as receipts for home improvements.
2. Spring clean your finances This is the time to look at your current situation and future financial goals. Revamp your budget- Look at ways to start saving for your short and long term goals. JBLM DPFR Survivor Outreach Services
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Ensure you are living within your means it is a good healthy kick start to Spring. Investments/Retirement Contribution- You may need to tweak your investments and you may need to rebalance your portfolio to meet your financial goals. Boost your retirement savings to ensure you’re taking advantage for the max amount for IRAs and your 401K plans. Adjust your tax withholding- Receiving a big tax refund isn’t necessary a good thing. Remember you are allowing Uncle Sam to hold your money and earn interest off of it. You may want to look at adjusting your w-4 form before next year’s tax season.
3. Review your credit report Review your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. This will ensure you have review your credit report for accuracy.
4. Create a Plan to pay off your debt Don’t let fear or procrastination get in the way of a debt-free life. Adjust your budget and make a commitment to pay off credit cards and/or other loans.
5. Review your insurance policies As your life changes, your life insurance needs change, too. Speak to your insurance provider to ensure you are getting the lowest possible rates for auto, life, renter’s and home insurance.
6. Stop Clutter before it Starts If you are tired of that junk mail or the pre-screening credit cards you can visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688.
These are just a few solutions but I challenge you to come up with more ways to spring clean your finances. If you want to talk to someone about your finances please contact me, your JBLM Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselor, Tina Mann, at 253-967-3672 or Tina.l.mann6.civ@mail.mil.
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Changes to Tricare On January 1, 2018, there were many changes to the TRICARE program. TRICARE continues to offer several different health plans. Plan availability still depends on who you are and where you live. Starting February 1, 2018, Point of Service
Generic Copays
Brand Name
Non-Formulary Copays
Copays
Retail Network(30-day
$11
$28
$53*
$7
$24
$53
supply)
Home Delivery(90-day supply)
Military Pharmacy(90-day
Still $0 copay for all formulary drugs at
Generally not available without
supply)
military pharmacies
medical necessity
Urgent Care - is now easier to access. There is no limit to the number of urgent care visits most TRICARE Prime enrollees can make without a referral. Learn more about your plan's details on how to get urgent care (https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/UrgentCare).
TRICARE Select℠ TRICARE Select is a fee-for-service plan available in the United States.
You must show eligible for TRICARE in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) A database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members. You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE. and enroll annually.
Enrollment is required, learn more on the Select Enrollment Page.
Meets or exceeds the requirements for minimum essential coverage Basic health care coverage that meets the Affordable Care Act requirement. under the Affordable Care Act.
Who Can Participate?
Active duty family members
Retired service members and their families
Family members of activated called or ordered to active duty service for more than 30 days in a row. Guard/Reserve members
Non-activated Guard/Reserve members and their families who qualify for care under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
Retired Guard/Reserve members at age 60 and their families
Survivors
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Medal of Honor recipients and their families
Qualified former spouses
How it Works Schedule an appointment with any TRICARE-authorized provider an authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network.. Referrals not required, but you may need prior authorization from your regional contractor for some services. You won't receive a TRICARE wallet card when using TRICARE Select. All you need is your military ID as proof of coverage.
What You Pay Costs vary based on the sponsor's military status. You'll pay:
An annual outpatient deductible
Cost shares (or percentage) for covered services >>View TRICARE Select Costs
Is TRICARE Select Right for You?
If you're on active duty (including activated Guard/Reserve members), you can't use TRICARE Select.
TRICARE Select may be the right choice for you if:
You live in an area where you can't use TRICARE Prime
You have other health insurance Health insurance you have in addition to TRICARE, such as Medicare or an employer-sponsored health insurance. TRICARE supplements don’t qualify as "other health insurance." such as an employer-sponsored health plan
You're seeing a provider who isn't in the TRICARE network and you don't want to switch.
Save the Date – May 18, American Lake Conference Center (JBLM-Lewis North) Register: jblm-retiree-appreciation-2018.eventbrite.com
Retirement Appreciate Day (RAD) May 18, 2018- Stop by SOS’s resource table at the RAD. Timeline: 0730: Registration opens; breakfast available for purchase. 0900-0930: CG opening remarks. 0900-1300: Health Fair, Legal Services, ID Cards & 60+ agencies, including widow groups, Veterans' service organizations, WA State VA, & the Social Security Administration available to serve you. 1300-1600: Installation & museum tours (bus leaves/returns ALCC). May 19th Armed Forces Day 10am-6pm. Visit Military & Retiree strong displays, and information tables .
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Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator Kennewick, WA Office: 509-734-7052 Blackberry: 253-376-1889
WA Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) JBLM AFCS Annex 2166 Liggett Ave. & 12th St. Support Coordinator Ro Hicklin 253-966-5047
Sandra Neumann, CFP NW Region Navy Gold Star Coordinator 360-396-4860 Sandra.neumann@navy.mil
Financial Counselor Tina Mann 253-967-3672
Tina Soukup USN Installation Gold Star Coordinator 425-304-3721 Tina.soukup@navy.mil
www.facebook.com/soswastate JBLM Casualty Assistance Office Waller Hall 2140 Liggett Ave. 253-966-5890 JBLM Retirement Services Office Waller Hall Bldg. 2140, Liggett Avenue 253-966-5881 Tricare Beneficiary Services Pam Eisfeldt 253-973-1814
Darrell Beck Survivor Support Outreach Services Coordinator Blackberry: 503-309-3334 darrell.i.beck.ctr@mail.mil Sara R. Vargo Survivor Support Outreach Services Coordinator Camp Murray, WA Office: 253-512-8756 Blackberry: 253-202-0982 sarah.r.vargo.ctr@mail.mil
Veterans Affairs Representative Obra Kent 206-604-4045
Jill Behunin Survivor Outreach Coordinator Office: 503-683-4866 Cell: 503-309-3334 Jilletta.d.behunin.ctr@mail.mil
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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