ALCOAST 278/17 - SEP 2017 SITREP 6 - HUMAN CAPITAL STRATEGY - BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) - CONTINUATION PAY

R 191547 SEP 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC //CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01000//
ALCOAST 278/17
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: SITREP 6 - HUMAN CAPITAL STRATEGY - BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM (BRS) –
CONTINUATION PAY
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 161451 DEC 16/ACN 445/16
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 241050 JAN 17/ACN 013/17
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 101400 FEB 17/ALCOAST 034/17
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 090903 JUN 17/ALCOAST 188/17
E. Use of Non-governmental Educational Material and Presenters, COMDTINST 1740.3 (series)
1.  PURPOSE. This ALCOAST announces BRS continuation pay (CP) multiples, timing,
and obligated service. It also supplements guidance, required training, and
financial education opportunities noted in REF (E). 
2.  The BRS offers CP as part of a service member’s retirement entitlement and
to address retention at critical longevity points. Coast Guard members, covered
by BRS, receive this one-time, mid-career bonus at 12 Years of Service (YOS) as
calculated from the member’s Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD) and upon acceptance of
the member’s agreement to obligate for four additional years. The obligated
service incurred under the BRS will run concurrently with any other service
obligation, unless specifically prohibited. CP is in addition to any other career
incentives or retention bonuses.  Members choosing to remain in the current
“high-3” retirement system are not eligible for CP.
3.  The Active Component (AC) CP is 2.5 times the monthly basic pay for a member
of that grade who has reached 12 YOS. 
4.  The Reserve Component (RC) CP is 0.5 times the monthly basic pay for a member
of that grade who has reached 12 YOS.
5.  All members, both active and reserve, exceeding 12 YOS in calendar year 2018
must enroll in the BRS prior to the 12-year mark to take advantage of CP. It is
possible for a member to elect the BRS in 2018 but miss the CP window if the
choice to enroll is made after the member’s 12 YOS anniversary date.
6.  A member who does not fulfill the service obligation is subject to full or
partial repayment of CP.
7.  The CP rates are effective for calendar year 2018, the entire BRS opt-in
period, and will remain in place until new rates are published.
8.  PPC will contact members nearing the 12 YOS with additional information and
instructions.
9.  Additional CP policy will follow as the BRS folds into a new CG retirement manual.
10. Choosing a retirement system is a significant lifetime decision and should
be discussed with spouses and beneficiaries. To prepare for the BRS transition,
eligible members must complete the mandatory Joint Knowledge Online (JKO)
Opt-in course. Designated members of the CG Auxiliary are available to present
the JKO course in a group setting. Per REF (E), commands desiring BRS-related
education beyond the required JKO course should consider capitalizing on
existing presentations provided at no cost by several organizations in the
financial industry. Visit the Office of Work-Life Programs
http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources
-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/ or the BRS
website for guidance on hosting a non-governmental organization financial educator
or CG Auxiliarist at your unit.
11. The BRS comparison calculator is available at
http://militarypay.defense.gov/Calculators/BRS/ and allows users to compare the
benefits of the current retirement system with the BRS. JKO launched two tutorials
in August; one for the AC (course number J3OP-US1333-A),  and one for the RC
(course number J3OP-US1333-R), helping users maximize the calculator’s results.
Currently, the calculator is set to accommodate the Coast Guard’s initial CP rate
though more flexibility will be added in future technical updates.
12. Eligible members are reminded to acknowledge their Alert Warning System
eligibility notification using their official Coast Guard email account by clicking
“reply”, typing “1”, and clicking “send.”
13.  Questions regarding the BRS or related items should be directed to COMDT
(CG-1331) at HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil. For a list of CP FAQs and a
CP infographic visit the BRS website at http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/brs.
14. RDML William G. Kelly, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.
15. Internet release is authorized.