January - March 2026
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR SOLDIERS WITH 17 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE
COVER STORY
MONEY MATTERS
Tips for a Head Start on the Year Ahead
Taking stock of your finances and your financial goals can help you create a fresh spending plan and set achievable goals for the new year. We’ve compiled this comprehensive checklist for your use for ...
DFAS 2025 Tax Statement Release
The 2025 tax statements for military, retiree, annuitant and federal civilian employee customers serviced by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will be distributed online via the myPay pay management system ...
Get Ready for the 2026 Tax Season
The Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to take steps now to prepare for the upcoming filing season by visiting IRS.gov/GetReady for tips on what is new and what to consider before filing. This is the first in a series of special IRS "Get Ready" reminders...
NEW 2026 Retirement Planning Guide!
The 2026 Retirement Planning Guide is now available at your local Retirement Services Office and online to provide information that helps Soldiers and their families transition from serving our nation in uniform to serving in their communities. It provides a practical retirement planning timeline as well as information on how to calculate retired pay, navigate healthcare benefits, Survivor Benefit Plan options, and much more.
PLANNING GUIDANCE
Use Your 2026 TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit
To streamline the prescription process, the TRICARE Pharmacy Program helps you get the prescription drugs you need in a safe, easy, and affordable way. Express Scripts administers the TRICARE pharmacy benefit and offers tools to help you ...
Explore BENEFEDS Post-Retirement Options
If retiring from service is on the horizon, you’re likely considering dental and vision benefits as you transition to civilian life. The good news is that coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) ...
TRICARE Benefit Changes After Marriage
Getting married is an exciting milestone in your life! It’s also a time when many changes come along, including changes to your health coverage. Whether you’re a service member, a retiree, or marrying someone who is, it’s important to understand ...
Reduced Age Retirement for Reservists
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008 amended Title 10, U.S. Code, section 12731 to allow Soldiers to receive pay before age 60 to a lesser age but not below 50 for those that served on active duty in an eligible status after 28 January 2008. Succeeding NDAAs expanded eligibility ...
POST RETIREMENT PERSPECTIVES
Ask Questions, Plan, and Repeat
While there is no official percentage that applies to all military retirees across the branches, data from the Army indicates that approximately 25% of transitioning Soldiers stay within the metropolitan area of their last duty station. But what if your last duty station is overseas? That presents an additional ...
New Routines, New Responsibilities
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to supporting every service member transitioning from service. As part of your welcome to VA, we want to inform you about what to expect during this critical time and help you build a solid start to your civilian life ...
After Serving, Serve Your Future
For most Soldiers in the middle of retirement prep, I know the question that plagues your mind the most is, "what do I want to do once I take off the uniform?" This question is quite common for those preparing for their next chapter. Despite possibly having numerous ...
myAuth: One Sign-In, All Your Benefits
The Department of War (DOW) is transitioning from DS Logon to myAuth, a new digital credential system that simplifies access to various online services using a single account. myAuth improves upon DS Logon, the Department’s legacy application, through secure multifactor authentication ...
Reminders for Army Reserve and
Army National Guard Soldiers:
While you’re in the Retired Reserve, keep your mailing and email addresses up to date with DFAS by using myPay.
• To determine if you qualify for the reduced age retirement, visit HRC’s website. If you are eligible, contact your Army Reserve or Army National Guard RSO for help in calculating your retirement eligibility date.
• If you are a Gray Area Retiree and you're approaching your 59th birthday, you must apply to receive your retired pay. Retired pay application and submission information can be found on the HRC Gray Area Retirements Branch page, or you can email usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.taqdask-hrc@army.mil. If you need assistance with your application or have questions, you shouldcontact your servicing Retirement Services Officer (RSO).
New SFL Podcasts on Retirement
Check out the latest Soldier for Life (SFL) podcast episodes about Army Retirement Services, the SFL Mindset, applying for Reserve retired pay, and Reserve retirement planning. Find all this in Season 16, Episodes 1, 2, and 3. Click on the arrow below and start listening.
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