The Retirees Newsletter Issue 04/17 Corrections/Notes

A corrected copy of the October 2017 issue of The Retirees Newsletter is now available on the Coast Guard Retiree Services Program page (http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Retiree-Services-Program/).

Here is a direct link to the corrected newsletter: http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/retiree/docs/Newsletter/OCT17_v2.pdf.

Corrections:

1. PPC Customer Care Phone Number (Page 3).
2. East Central FL and Jacksonville, FL Regional Retiree Council Co-Chairs (Page 2). 

Notes:

TAPS/RETIREMENTS--Mr. Bob Hinds, CG Retiree Services Program Manager and The Retiree Newsletter Editor, is addressing significant negative feedback from the CG retiree community regarding discontinuation of TAPS/Retirements.  When CG PPC passed responsibility for the newsletter to CG-13, their legal office cautioned against continued publication of TAPS/Retirements.  CG-13 then requested a formal legal opinion from CG-LGL, which was not received prior to the deadline for publication of the OCT 2017 newsletter.  CG-LGL has OK'd publishing TAPS but advised that publishing Retirements technically requires consent of retiring members.  Pending final approval, TAPS is expected to appear in future newsletters and TAPS may be posted at the CG Retiree Services website.  The possibility of publishing Retirements is also being explored, including a recommendation that the CG establish policy making members' consent to publish retirement information (Name, Grade, Date of Retirement) assumed unless they otherwise advise the CG.

This issue includes the following items of interest:

• CG Retiree Services
• Regional Retiree Councils
• CG PPC-RAS
• DA Self-Service
• Tax Information
• Foreign Government Employment
• VA eBenefits
• TRICARE
• Welcome New Retirees
• SECNAV Retiree Council CG NRHD/Mentoring
• CG Auxiliary
• CG Friend Crosses the Bar
• CG Recruiting
• PHS Symposium
• SBP/Dependent Children
• TRICARE/Medical Part B
• Directory Assistance
• Other Phone Numbers and Websites

The newsletter is in .PDF format which requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader which may be downloaded and stored locally or viewed "online". You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader© (free) installed on your computer in order to view the file, the reader is available at: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

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PPC Customer Satisfaction Survey:

We continually monitor our processes in an ongoing attempt to Improve service. Anytime you receive service from us, you are invited to fill out our customer service survey at: http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ccb/survey/

Note: In order to ensure the safety and security of your information our Customer Satisfaction Survey is only accessible from within the Coast Guard Data Network. If you would like to provide feedback on the service you received, but do not have access to the Coast Guard Data Network (via a Coast Guard Standard Workstation), please contact us by email to PPC-DG-M-Feedback@uscg.mil.

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This is an update from the U. S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center in Topeka, KS. We use this distribution list to keep our customers informed about the Direct Access HR system and matters pertaining to military retired pay and benefits. If you are no longer interested in receiving updates from PPC, please follow the link (at the end of this message) in the SUBSCRIBER SERVICES section to unsubscribe. Address any comments, concerns, or questions to richard.a.etheridge@uscg.mil.

Do not reply to this message. Replies to this address are not monitored. Contact PPC (ras) for assistance with Direct Access/Global Pay or other account issues.

Commanding Officer (RAS)
U. S. Coast Guard
Pay & Personnel Center
444 SE Quincy St
Topeka KS 66683-3591
Toll Free: 1-800-772-8724
Commercial: 785-339-3415
Fax: 785-339-3770
Email: ppc-dg-ras@uscg.mil
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/