Among this Legislation is a measure that would block schools from penalizing student veterans for Department of Veteran Affairs delays. This was brought about by the public relations fiasco caused by VA’s late GI Bill payments this last fall.
Other items include burial and memorial benefits, expansions of the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and changes to VA’s debt collection practices.
I hope you noticed an increase to your retirement check in January. The 2019 COLA (cost of living adjustment) for military retired pay, Survivor Benefit Plan annuities, Social Security checks, VA disability and survivor benefits is 2.8 percent. MOAA accurately forecast this final outcome in November based on annual trends and factors, such as energy commodities, shelter (housing), and transportation services. You can access this data on the MOAA National website, it changes monthly, at http://www.moaa.org/takeac5on/#COLA-Watch.
The 2.8 percent 2019 COLA is the second largest COLA of the past decade, trailing only the 3.6-percent COLA year of 2011. Some of the biggest factors influencing your COLA include the prices of food, clothing, housing, fuels and transportation fares, and charges for medical services and drugs. Measured price changes on those items over time determine the annual COLA. The calculation is made by comparing the average CPI from July through September of the current year to the average for the same months of the year prior.
It is important to keep in mind the CPI might not reflect your personal experience with price changes, but is rather a measure representing the experience of the average household.
Fairchild AFB annual Retiree Appreciation Day is coming up!
This year, the event is at the Armed Forces Reserve Center on Fairchild AFB starting at 0900 on 5 October. Check out the vendors, briefings, and more, on informative topics concerning your retirement. The Army Reserve Center located at 300 E Eaker Ave. Take the second left onto Eaker Ave. after entering through the Fairchild Main Gate. (Just before Heritage Park with the aircraft displays.) Continue on Eaker Ave. to the east side of the Base. (Follow the Retiree Appreciation Day Signs) Please call the Retiree Activities Office at (509) 247-5359 for more information or to register for the event.
