{"id":119143,"date":"2018-12-13T19:13:42","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T19:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/12\/13\/heres-how-two-service-members-made-their-decisions-about-the-new-retirement-system\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:10:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:10:00","slug":"heres-how-two-service-members-made-their-decisions-about-the-new-retirement-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/2018\/12\/13\/heres-how-two-service-members-made-their-decisions-about-the-new-retirement-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s how two service members made their decisions about the new retirement system"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The decisions that 1.6 million service members are making this year about whether to stay with the old or jump to the new military retirement system have just one thing in common: Each decision is extremely personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, as the deadline of Dec. 31 approaches for eligible service members to make the choice to opt in to the new Blended Retirement System<\/a>, Military Times looked at how two service members approached their decisions. One of our volunteer participants chose the BRS, and one chose the legacy system. They both have about nine years of service. One is a Navy E-5, the other is an Air Force O-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in that group of people eligible to choose <\/a>between the legacy system and the new BRS but haven\u2019t made your decision yet, the thought processes of these two volunteers might help you start your research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those eligible to choose between the two retirement systems are active-duty troops with fewer than 12 years of service and reserve component members with fewer than 4,320 retirement points as of December 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All troops entering the military now are automatically enrolled into the new BRS. Those with more than 12 years of service as of the end of 2017 automatically stay with the legacy system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BRS is a blend of the legacy retirement system and some new features<\/a>. It still provides monthly retired pay after at least 20 years of service, but the pay is 20 percent less than under the current system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the legacy system, if you leave before 20 years, you get nothing. Under BRS, you can receive matching contributions from DoD of up to 5 percent of your pay into your Thrift Savings Plan, and you can take that with you whether you leave after a few years or 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRS also offers a one-time payout known as continuation pay at 12 years, with a commitment to serve an additional four years. And retirees can under BRS can opt for a partial lump-sum payout at retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both of our volunteers carefully considered all the pros and cons of both systems, but their own circumstances, career plans and perceptions led them to different decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\t