When Does Retirement Pay from DFAS Kick In?

I am going through the IDES process and am in the process between the finishing of my ratings from the VA and that paperwork going back to the PEB. When I receive the PDIR...I plan to retire at the end of a month, like a 28th or 29th and be on the retired rolls the 29th or 30th respectively. When does retirement pay begin? When will DFAS begin paying retirement pay? Is retirement pay effective the immediate 1st day of the month (as in a few days later)? or is there a waiting period like there is with the VA?
 
Hello,

Regular retirements always begin on the first day of a month. Regular = 20 or more AD years

Disability retirements can begin any day of a month.

Please note that as a CH 61 retiree, your DOD disability retirement pay will be reduced by the amount of VA compensation received each month.

If eligible, CRDP or CRSC could allow some or all to be returned.

See DFAS LINK <—-

Ron
 
Hello,

Regular retirements always begin on the first day of a month. Regular = 20 or more AD years

Disability retirements can begin any day of a month.

Please note that as a CH 61 retiree, your DOD disability retirement pay will be reduced by the amount of VA compensation received each month.

If eligible, CRDP or CRSC could allow some or all to be returned.

See DFAS LINK <—-

Ron
I know VA has a "calendar month" "waiting period" as VA doesn't pay "partial months". I was wondering does DFAS do the same for retirement pay?
 
“ VA Month After Law" [my term]

Ref: 38 U.S. Code § 5111 - Commencement of period of payment

"... payment of monetary benefits based on an award or an increased award of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension may not be made to an individual for any period before the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the award or increased award became effective as provided under section 5110 of this title or such other provision of law."
————-

DOD disability retirement pay can be paid for partial month.

Ron
 
The DoD also pays in arrears. I retired 28 June and received retired pay for the first time 1 Aug. Still waiting for the VA to finalize their stuff so I'll get VA pay only when it does.
 
The payment on 1 August 2019 was likely for retired pay for 1-31 July 2019. It is payment after the entitlement accrues...just as VA compensation is disbursed on regularly scheduled payment dates. The few days in a retired status in June might have been paid out of cycle.

There is a commonality with civilian payrolls; employees are normally compensated after the end of a pay period.

The “month after law” addresses the initial accrual of VA compensation.

Active duty military pay also is disbursed after it accrues; not in advance.
Ron
 
The payment on 1 August 2019 was likely for retired pay for 1-31 July 2019. It is payment after the entitlement accrues...just as VA compensation is disbursed on regularly scheduled payment dates. The few days in a retired status in June might have been paid out of cycle.

There is a commonality with civilian payrolls; employees are normally compensated after the end of a pay period.

The “month after law” addresses the initial accrual of VA compensation.

Active duty military pay also is disbursed after it accrues; not in advance.
Ron
Ron,
Just for reference because so many people rely upon your expertise - I retired full AD (not Ch.61) on 1 April. I received my first regular retired paycheck on 1 Aug. They did back pay the Apr, May, Jun, Jul shortly thereafter. According to the retired pay 1-800 number folks, NEW retired accounts is backed up 90-120 days, and I had even made 6 different phone calls which each answer was, call back in a month. They did send up an "elevated request" for my retired pay, but it finally kicked in this month. Just giving you my experience.

I know I read about it somewhere, BUT, since I just got my first RAS, how does one know if they are actually getting any CRDP? I am one of those eligible, but how do I know if I am receiving it properly? Does it say CRDP on the RAS?

Cheers

Dave
 
Dave,

That is amazing and not in a good way. Thank you for reporting this unacceptable situation.

Look on page two of your DFAS RAS. That should show how much of the gross on page one is CRDP.

Ron
 
Dave,

That is amazing and not in a good way. Thank you for reporting this unacceptable situation.

Look on page two of your DFAS RAS. That should show how much of the gross on page one is CRDP.

Ron
I am looking at it now, and my ERAS (electronic) is only one page? Even at the bottom in the Message Section, there is nothing noted about CRDP for me? I guess another call to Retired Pay is on order? Thanks for all you do Ron!
 
I no longer receive a RAS except once a year when a COLA increase occurs. All my pay is waived for CRSC.

I received CRDP for several years and the CRDP comment was always on a page two; however, possibly the format has changed.

CRDP is retired pay and the mechanism that allows for receipt of retired pay + VA compensation.

Did you receive an amount from DFAS that mirrors what you expected?

Do you receive VA compensation?

Is your VA rating (if applicable) 50% or more?

And...I think you mentioned you had a regular retirement...was that due to 7200 or more reserve points?

Ron
 
Since I was AFRC, I was using/calculating my 'reserve points' and ARC Retirements personnel statements as my gauge to enabling a full AD 20 year TAFMS retirement. When I got my first pay, it was actually based off a different number, so I retired with 23 years + few months TAFMS. It is all very confusing on the ARC side of the house. No one can tell you anything straight it seems? BUT, with that, I get more from DFAS than I anticipated previously (for which I am blessed). I do currently receive VA comp, where I am currently rated at 90%.
 
Since I was AFRC, I was using/calculating my 'reserve points' and ARC Retirements personnel statements as my gauge to enabling a full AD 20 year TAFMS retirement. When I got my first pay, it was actually based off a different number, so I retired with 23 years + few months TAFMS. It is all very confusing on the ARC side of the house. No one can tell you anything straight it seems? BUT, with that, I get more from DFAS than I anticipated previously (for which I am blessed). I do currently receive VA comp, where I am currently rated at 90%.
Some of the acronyms are unfamiliar to me. However, without CRDP which after circa 2014, is almost invisible unless one knows where to look (i.e., page 2), your retired pay would be reduced by the amount of VA compensation.

It does not appear you are losing any retired pay, per your comments.

If you have time, a call to DFAS might be in order. Please let us know of their explanation.

Ron
 
I agree with you thinking about my retired pay is not being reduced at this time by my VA comp? The two systems should talk to each other in my mind, and maybe it is just too early for things to catchup for them to see this?

I will advise of any useful findings I come up with.
 
I agree with you thinking about my retired pay is not being reduced at this time by my VA comp? The two systems should talk to each other in my mind, and maybe it is just too early for things to catchup for them to see this?

I will advise of any useful findings I come up with.

Thanks...

It could be one of several possibilities. BTW, was your retirement the result of an appeal?

Ron
 
I am looking at it now, and my ERAS (electronic) is only one page? Even at the bottom in the Message Section, there is nothing noted about CRDP for me? I guess another call to Retired Pay is on order? Thanks for all you do Ron!
This is an old example of CRDP being shown on page two of the DFAS RAS:

1565801598390.png
 
Thanks...

It could be one of several possibilities. BTW, was your retirement the result of an appeal?

Ron
No Ron, my retirement was not a result of an appeal. Thanks for the example you provided for me to see. I do not have that as of yet? Here is my RAS bottom section:

MESSAGE SECTION

Beneficiaries now have access to a more complete health record! TRICARE Online Patient
Portal (www.TRICAREOnline.com) has a new look and recently added two features.

Encounter (Open) Notes and Documents allows you to view provider notes from clinic
visits and scanned documents from external consults. You can also manage MTF appoint-
ments, request refills, view/download Health Records and receive appointment reminders.

THIS IS YOUR MONTHLY RETIREE ACCOUNT STATEMENT. IT SUMMARIZES THE STATE OF YOUR ACCOUNT
AS OF THE DATE SHOWN. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR ADDRESS, BANKING, BENEFICIARY, PAY AND
ALLOTMENT INFORMATION REGULARLY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RETIRED PAY GO TO
http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitary.htm
 
Dave,

Looking back for a second since there are multiple cases being discussed at the same time.

You said, "Just for reference because so many people rely upon your expertise - I retired full AD (not Ch.61) on 1 April."

The phase-in of CRDP was complete 1 January 2014. Since then (and only speaking about regular retirements), one no longer sees an actual reduction of retired pay for those eligible for CRDP in a regular retired status, However if not for CRDP, they would see an actual reduction and zero restoration of retired pay. It exists, mostly in the background.

The only evidence of CRDP has been the receipt of all one's retired pay (regular retirees) plus a comment about the amount of CRDP on page 2 of the DFAS RAS.

Your case:

Since you have a regular retirement and "I do currently receive VA comp, where I am currently rated at 90%" you are eligible for CRDP in full.
The fact you do not see a CRDP comment on your is puzzling (since you evidently received the amount of retired pay), but not especially alarming.

The entitlement to CRDP exists based on your remarks.

It's been awhile since I discussed CRDP in detail; for years it was a daily experience.

I hope this explains the situation better.

Ron

Edited to add:
I always thought the DFAS remark was automated, but perhaps it is not. When we performed finance duties at each installation, we could have added a remark to the LES' of the period with "Have a nice day" or some other remark. I never did, but it could be done. I used to add accounting codes to certain certain payments.
 
Ron,
Just for reference because so many people rely upon your expertise - I retired full AD (not Ch.61) on 1 April. I received my first regular retired paycheck on 1 Aug. They did back pay the Apr, May, Jun, Jul shortly thereafter. According to the retired pay 1-800 number folks, NEW retired accounts is backed up 90-120 days, and I had even made 6 different phone calls which each answer was, call back in a month. They did send up an "elevated request" for my retired pay, but it finally kicked in this month. Just giving you my experience.

I know I read about it somewhere, BUT, since I just got my first RAS, how does one know if they are actually getting any CRDP? I am one of those eligible, but how do I know if I am receiving it properly? Does it say CRDP on the RAS?

Cheers

Dave

I just went to a retirement brief on 08 Aug 19 and the guy giving the brief told us the same thing. Apparently, some system on the Air Force side went down and it's "all hands on deck" to get it fixed; that's why the back log of retired pay
 
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