Introduction
Welcome to the Retiree & Annuitants (RAS) Branch page!
We hope you find the new format easier to navigate and the information better assembled for all your research needs. On this RAS OVERVIEW tab, you will find basic information about RAS and each topic tab the instruction required to assist you.
Direct Access Self-Service and Customer Support
You can manage your account through Direct Access (DA) Self-Service. This is the most convenient way to process requests, is available 24/7, and the changes are captured in our pay system NEARLY IMMEDIATELY. All guidance and customer support directives can be found on the Direct Access Retiree Self-Service Guides page. Please click on the title within the table of guides for information on how to use Direct Access (DA) Self-Service, explore other contact methods, and obtain required information/documents.
Retirement Packages
Retirement Seminar Information - October 2024
Please report the passing of your loved one via e-mail to ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil or by phone at 1 (866) 772-8724 (business hours are: Monday - Friday 7:30 (am) to 4:00 (pm) central time).
Survivor's Guide Trifold Brochure (10/2024) - a quick reference guide.
REPORTING THE DEATH OF A RETIREE, ANNUITANT, or FORMER SPOUSE (who is receiving pay)
Please provide the following information when reporting the death of a retiree, annuitant, or former spouse (who is receiving pay):
Deceased Persons Information
- Employee ID number or /SSN:
- Full Name:
- Date of Death:
- Type of death: (Natural Causes or Homicide)
- Location of Death (City & State)
- Type of Burial (Buried/Cremated/Sea Burial)
- Location of burial (City & State)
Reporting Person Information
- Name:
- Relationship to deceased:
- Phone:
- E-mail:
- Mailing Address:
Once you have the Death Certificate please email it to ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil.
REPORTING THE DEATH OF A DEPENDENT (SPOUSE, PARENT, INSURABLE INTEREST or CHILD who is not receiving pay)
Please provide the following information when reporting the death of a dependent:
- Death Certificate (Dependent deaths cannot be processed without the death certificate)
- DD Form 2656-6, Survivor Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate, (if the person is on your Survivor Benefit Plan)
- CG Form 3600, Designation of Beneficiary for Payment of Unpaid Retired Pay, (if the person is listed as a Final Pay Beneficiary)
PPC RAS will contact you to confirm receipt of your report and/or supporting documents. This information will be given to the pay team who processes the passing of your loved one. We generally process these requests within 30 days of receipt, however incomplete or missing information or supporting documents will delay the processing.
Military Compensation Calculators
Each retirement calculator estimates retired pay during retirement years. You can personalize the inputs to reflect your expectations about your retirement and economic conditions. http://www.dod.gov/militarypay/retirement/calc/.
Disability Retirement: The multiplier for disability retired pay is either:
- For a member with 30 or more years of service, retiring on or before January 7, 2011, the retired pay multiplier may not exceed 75-percent. The retired pay multiplier is not limited for members with 30 or more years of service who retire on or after January 8, 2011.
- If you are on the Temporary Disability Retired List, the minimum multiplier is 50 percent while on the TDRL.
PPC uses the method that results in the largest payment. But if you'd like to choose the other method, please send PPC your request in writing.
Read more about disability retirement calculation in DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R (FMR), Volume 7b, Chapter 3, para 030102; Disability Retirement.
Retired Pay Calculator
RAS is unable to provide pay estimations. However, you can use this pay estimate calculator to get an estimate of your retired pay. You will need to have the below information.
- Pay Base Date:
- Active-Duty Base Date:
- Current Rank:
- Your Time in service (fully years & months)
- Retirement Point Total (if a reservist completed)
Note: If you want just your retired pay you will need to remove all the percentages for Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Reserve Retired Pay Information & Calculators
For Reserve Retirements, please utilize these tools for retirement estimates. They provide quicker results and are more user friendly for the reserve retirement process.
Depending on the date you initially entered military service, also called the DIEMS date, your monthly Coast Guard Reserve retired pay will be calculated under the Final Basic Pay or High-3 formula as follows:
DIEMS Date before 8 September 1980 - Final Pay
1. Multiply your years of equivalent service (see equivalent service formula below) by 2.5%.
2. Multiply the result by the basic pay in effect on the date your retired pay begins (normally age 60).
DIEMS Date on or after 8 September 1980 - High 36
1. Multiply your years of equivalent service (see equivalent service formula below) by 2.5%.
2. Multiply the result by the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay.
Note: The highest 36 months of basic pay for a service member who transfers to the Retired Reserve until age 60 will normally be the 36 months before age 60. Longevity service will continue and pay raises will continue to accrue. Service members, who elect discharge before age 60, will have their highest 36 months of basic pay based on the date of discharge. Longevity service stops and future pay raises will be considered.
As can be seen from these two examples, if you initially entered military service on or after 8 September 1980, you should think carefully before requesting a discharge. Taking a discharge will impact your retired pay.
*Equivalent Service = Total Creditable Retirement Points /360. Total number of retirement points divided by 360. Carry the resultant figure to three decimal places, round to two decimal places. EXAMPLE: 4735 retirement points divided by 360 = 13.152 or 13.15-years of service for percentage purposes to be multiplied by 2-1/2 percent.
If Early RET-1 is a consideration, please Also see ALCGRSV 006/16, Requesting Reserve Early Retirement
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Premiums Calculator
Click here to get an estimate for a good idea of what your Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums will be. Once you click on the link, you will then click on SBP Premium; this will open an MS-Excel document. Once you have entered data in the Retiree Information and RC-SBP screen (if applicable), you will click on the premiums tab to see your estimated premiums
Note: If you have Child coverage and your child’s age on this page is over 22 you will need to remove the child cost from the “Your Monthly SBP Premium will be….”
Retiree & Annuitant COLAs
2025 Adjustments to Retired/Retainer Pay, Survivor Annuities and Premiums
The following Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1, 2024, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) through the third quarter calendar year 2024. The term "retired pay" includes retainer pay and the term "members" includes former members. Where applicable, the appropriate section of United States Code (U.S.C.) is cited.
COLAs for Retired Pay
1. The retired pay COLA for those who first became members of a Uniformed Service before September 8, 1980, is specified according to the effective date of their retirement, as follows:
| RETIRED PAY BASED ON RATES OF PAY EFFECTIVE: |
PERCENT INCREASE |
10 U.S.C. AUTHORITY |
| Before January 1, 2024 |
2.5 percent |
1401a(b)(2) |
| January 1 - December 31, 2024 |
2.5 percent |
1401a(c) |
2. The retired pay COLA for those who first became members of a Uniformed Service on or after September 8, 1980, including those members covered by the High-3 or Blended Retirement System (BRS), is specified according to the effective date of their retirement, as follows:
| RETIRED PAY BASED ON RATES OF PAY EFFECTIVE: |
PERCENT INCREASE |
10 U.S.C. AUTHORITY |
| Before January 1, 2024 |
2.5 percent |
1401a(b)(2) |
| January 1 - March 31, 2024 |
2.5 percent |
1401a(d) |
| April 1 - June 30, 2024 |
1.4 percent |
1401a(d) |
| July 1 - September 30, 2024 |
0.2 percent |
1401a(d) |
| October 1 - December 31, 2024 |
0.0 percent |
1401a(d) |
3. The retired pay COLA for those who first became members of a Uniformed Service on or after August 1, 1986, and also elected to receive a career status bonus under the provisions of Sections 322 (as in effect before January 28, 2008) or 354 of Title 37 U.S.C. is specified according to the date of their retirement, as follows:
| RETIREMENT EFFECTIVE: |
PERCENT INCREASE |
10 U.S.C. AUTHORITY |
| Before January 1, 2024 |
1.5 percent |
1401a(e) |
| January 1 - March 31, 2024 |
1.5 percent |
1401a(e) |
| April 1 - June 30, 2024 |
0.9 percent |
1401a(e) |
| July 1 - September 30, 2024 |
0.0 percent |
1401a(e) |
| October 1 - December 31, 2024 |
0.0 percent |
1401a(e) |
COLAs for Survivor Annuities
4. Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan annuities payable on December 1, 2024, under the provisions of Subchapter I of Chapter 73, Title 10, U.S.C., to the spouse or child of a member who died on or before March 20, 1974, will be increased by 2.5 percent (ref: 10 U.S.C. 1434 (e)).
5. Annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) under the provisions of Subchapter II of Chapter 73, Title 10, U.S.C., will be increased by the same percentage specified in paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 above by which the retired pay of the person providing the annuity would have been increased at such time if the person were alive and otherwise entitled to such pay. (ref: 10 U.S.C. 1451 (g)).
6. COLAs for supplemental annuities paid to certain low-income widows of members who were deceased before November 1, 1953, will be increased 2.5 percent (ref: Public Law (P.L.) 100-456, section 653(c)).
7. Annuities for Certain Military Surviving Spouses (ACMSS) payable monthly under the provisions of section 644, P.L. 105-85, November 18, 1997, will be increased 2.5 percent from $321.52 to $329.56 effective December 1, 2024. (ref: P.L. 105-85, sec 644).
Increase in the SBP Low-Cost Premium Threshold
8. Previous amounts with respect to which the 2.5 percent factor of the SBP premium (cost) formula apply will be adjusted effective December 1, 2024, in conjunction with the adjustments in retired pay made under the provisions of Section 1401a of Title 10, U.S.C. (ref: 10 U.S.C. 1452(a)(4)(B)). The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will perform necessary calculations to determine actual premiums based on the individual circumstances of each case.
9. The amount with respect to which the 2.5 percent factor of the SBP premium (cost) is applied will be increased *4.5 percent effective January 1, 2025, from $1,011 to $1,056. The threshold premium is $26.40. Therefore, the Low-Cost Threshold premium is $26.40 plus 10% of the difference between retired pay and the threshold amount. The breakeven base amount is $2,262.86. (ref: 10 U.S.C. 1452(a)(4)(A)) *4.5 percent is assumed based upon the President’s FY2025 budget request.
Source: https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Retirement/Cola.aspx
Reminder for Soon-to-be-Retirees
Beginning January 1, 2024, PPC/RAS will no longer accept versions of the Form DD-2656 older than March 2022 as your application for retirement pay. There have been updates made to the form that allow for more efficiencies in processing new retiree accessions.
https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html
Please submit your DD-2656 to PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil at least 90 days prior to your date of retirement. Failure to provide this form with a signature dated prior to your retirement date will result in your enrollment in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for at least 24 months.
Please see the list of forms currently used by PPC-RAS below and download before attempting to enter information.
Account Updates & Taxes
Direct Deposit Form - CG-2015
Federal Tax Election - W4
Retiree Allotment Authorization Form - CG-7221
Debts & Waivers
Annuitant Application for Waiver of Erroneous Payments - CG-7202
Retiree Application for Waiver of Erroneous Payments - CG-7201
Statement of Financial Status - CG-7543
Report a Life Event (Marriage, Divorce, Childbirth, & Adoption)
Since each pay account is unique to the individual, we are unable to provide details on how your life event will affect your pay account. Life events cannot be taken over the phone and we are unable to process them until a complete package of required forms and supporting documents is received.
Marriage, Childbirth, Adoption, Awarded Guardianships
Divorce
- DD 2656–1 (only if electing former spouse coverage)
- DD2656-6
- CG-3600
- Support documents (court and/or other legal documents)
The completed packages can be emailed to ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil or mailed to:
Commanding Officer (RAS)
USCG PPC
444 SE Quincy St
Topeka KS 66683-3591
Note: Once the package is received, we will review your pay account and process the life event. Processing the life event is generally done within 60 days, however incomplete, invalid forms, or missing documents may delay the processing.
Survivor Benefit Plan & Final Pay
Application for Annuity - CG-1884
Claim for Final Retired Pay - CG-3867
Designation Final Pay Beneficiaries (Note: all dates are entered DDMMMYYYY, Example 29 FEB 2024) - CG-3600
Former Spouse SBP Deemed Election (Former Spouse fills out) - DD 2656-10
Former Spouse SBP Election (Member fills out) - DD 2656–1
Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Option – Election Certificate - CG-11221
SBP Benefit Plan Election Change Certificate - DD 2656-6
SBP Termination Request (3rd year retirees only) - DD 2656-2
Retired Pay
Blended Retirement System Election - CG-7430
Application to Collect Former Spouse Payments - DD-2293
Application for Setup of Retired Pay Account (https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html) - DD-2656
Note: This is an enhanced PDF and may not open correctly in your browser. When opening, if you get a white screen, please follow the step below or see "How to open the DD-2656 and other advanced PDF forms on a CG standard workstation" for examples.
- Find your save button and click on the save button
- Choose the location you want to save the Adobe Acrobat Document “PDF” and click save.
- Go to your save location and open the document from there.
- If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download one for free by visiting www.adobe.com
National Retiree Council Welcome
CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming military retirement and welcome to the next chapter of your life! What an amazing career accomplishment. You have served at the top of your game, where you were "all knowing" regarding your daily active duty tasks. But much like reporting into a new duty station in the past, transitioning into retirement can present unique challenges as well. Fear not, however, you are NOT alone! The Coast Guard’s Retiree Services Program, PPC’s Retiree & Annuitant Services Branch, and a network of fellow retirees are willing and able to assist and mentor you through your transition as a continuation of the Long Blue Line.
Retirees Now Have More Time to Transition into Their Forever Home - To learn more please click the news article.
Retirement Requests, Procedures & Information
Submit retirement requests to the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center (PSC).
Coast Guard PSC, Active Duty Enlisted Retirements (EPM-1)
Coast Guard PSC, Officer Boards, Promotions, and Separations Branch (OPM-1)
Coast Guard PSC, Reserve Personnel Management Division, Separations (RPM-1)
Establishing Your Retired Pay Account
Please submit DD-2656 at least 90 days prior to your date of retirement. https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html
NOTE: Many people will try opening a PDF form and find that they get an error stating "Please wait." Follow these instructions for opening the DD-2656 and other advanced PDF forms.
After your retirement request is approved by CG PSC (rpm-1/opm-1/epm-1), submit your retirement package and other forms and worksheets to the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center (PPC):
Retired Pay Calculators:
Reserve Retired Pay Information & Calculators:
For Reserve Retirements, please utilize these tools for retirement estimates. They provide quicker results and are more user friendly for the reserve retirement process.
Depending on the date you initially entered military service, also called the DIEMS date, your monthly Coast Guard Reserve retired pay will be calculated under the Final Basic Pay or High-3 formula as follows:
DIEMS Date before 8 September 1980 - Final Pay
1. Multiply your years of equivalent service (see equivalent service formula below) by 2.5%.
2. Multiply the result by the basic pay in effect on the date your retired pay begins (normally age 60).
DIEMS Date on or after 8 September 1980 - High 36
1. Multiply your years of equivalent service (see equivalent service formula below) by 2.5%.
2. Multiply the result by the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay.
Note: The highest 36 months of basic pay for a service member who transfers to the Retired Reserve until age 60 will normally be the 36 months before age 60. Longevity service will continue and pay raises will continue to accrue. Service members, who elect discharge before age 60, will have their highest 36 months of basic pay based on the date of discharge. Longevity service stops and future pay raises will be considered.
As can be seen from these two examples, if you initially entered military service on or after 8 September 1980, you should think carefully before requesting a discharge. Taking a discharge will impact your retired pay.
*Equivalent Service = Total Creditable Retirement Points /360. Total number of retirement points divided by 360. Carry the resultant figure to three decimal places, round to two decimal places. EXAMPLE: 4735 retirement points divided by 360 = 13.152 or 13.15-years of service for percentage purposes to be multiplied by 2-1/2 percent.
If Early RET-1 is a consideration, please Also see ALCGRSV 006/16, Requesting Reserve Early Retirement
Disability Retirement:
The multiplier for disability retired pay is either:
- For a member with 30 or more years of service, retiring on or before January 7, 2011, the retired pay multiplier may not exceed 75-percent. The retired pay multiplier is not limited for members with 30 or more years of service who retire on or after January 8, 2011.
- If you are on the Temporary Disability Retired List, the minimum multiplier is 50 percent while on the TDRL.
PPC uses the method that results in the largest payment. But if you'd like to choose the other method, please send PPC your request in writing.
Read more about disability retirement calculation in DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R (FMR), Volume 7b, Chapter 3, para 030102; Disability Retirement.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Reserve Component SBP - Information, Cost and Annuity Calculators
Final Active Duty Pay
For information concerning your final active duty pay, IRS Form W-2 reporting taxable active duty wages or need a replacement W2, please contact PPC (SEP).
Survivor Benefit Plan Purpose
Upon your death, retired pay stops. The only way your survivor could continue to receive any monthly annuity payments from the Coast Guard is if you purchased coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). The purpose of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is to establish a benefit program to complement the survivor benefits of social security. The Plan provides retirees an opportunity to leave a portion of their retired pay to their survivors at a reasonable cost. Without SBP, survivors of deceased retirees would not receive any money from the Coast Guard, with the exception of any final pay that may be paid to designated beneficiaries.
SBP Line of Duty Death - SBP Reversion from Child to Spouse Coverage - took effect January 1, 2023.
Dec. 30, 2022 - PPC-RAS will terminate a number of child SBP annuities and revert them to their parents’ annuities effective 1 January 2023. The first payment to the spouse will be made 1 February 2023, for Line of Duty Death SBP Annuities effective after 11 September 2001. Individuals impacted by this change were contacted by PPC-RAS over the past year and were provided forms to complete and provide to us. If you believe you will be impacted but did not receive a letter, please call us at 866-772-8724.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Off-Set Phase Out
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 changed the way that Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payments are reduced (off-set) by the receipt of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). There is no change in 2020 but beginning in 2021, the offset will be reduced to 2/3rds of the DIC amount. In 2022, the off-set will be reduced to 1/3rd of the DIC amount and the off-set will be totally eliminated in 2023.
Related Information from the Department of Defense
SBP/RCSBP Important Reminders
Divorced? Widowed? Remarried? Make Sure Your SBP Election is Current!!!
PPC (RAS) often reminds retirees to update their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections within one year of dependent changes such as marriage or remarriage. Ignoring this reminder can result in a retiree or surviving spouse accumulating a substantial debt or, in some cases, losing spouse SBP coverage.
For marriage or remarriage after retirement, there are two spouse SBP scenarios. The first scenario involves a retiree who had spouse SBP coverage, lost that spouse, and remarried. Spouse SBP premiums are suspended when there is no spouse SBP beneficiary. This retiree should contact PPC (RAS) and provide either a divorce decree or death certificate. A retiree who wants to convert spouse SBP to former spouse SBP needs to notify PPC (RAS) within one year of the divorce to change the SBP election to former spouse SBP. If the retiree remarries without changing the spouse SBP election to former spouse, the new spouse becomes an eligible SBP beneficiary on the first anniversary of the remarriage.
The CG 3600 form can be found online at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms
The DD 2656-6 form can be found online at:
https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html
A remarried retiree has three options concerning spouse SBP coverage:
- decline SBP coverage for the new spouse and any future spouse;
- increase SBP coverage if the previous SBP election was for reduced spouse coverage; or
- resume previous spouse SBP coverage.
The retiree must inform PPC (RAS) of the remarriage and choice of spouse SBP coverage by the first anniversary of the remarriage or, by law, the new spouse is automatically enrolled with the previous level of SBP coverage. Since the new spouse is the SBP beneficiary on the first anniversary of the marriage, the retiree owes SBP premiums from that date. If the retiree did not notify PPC (RAS) of the remarriage, a debt will accumulate for spouse SBP premiums retroactive to the first anniversary of the remarriage. This can result in an unexpected debt to the retiree or surviving spouse of several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the length of time since remarriage.
The second scenario involves a retiree who did not have a spouse at retirement and married after retirement. The spouse SBP category is still open to this retiree. However, the retiree must provide PPC (RAS) an SBP election for the new spouse within one year of the marriage or the category of spouse SBP is closed for that spouse and any future spouse. If the retiree elects SBP for the new spouse, PPC (RAS) will start collecting the premiums from the date of the first anniversary of the marriage.
Retirees can update their SBP elections after marriage or remarriage by submitting a letter and supporting documentation (marriage certificate) to PPC (RAS) within the first year of marriage. Send the letter and supporting documentation to:
Commanding Officer (RAS)
U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center
444 SE Quincy St
Topeka KS 66683-3591
For answers to questions about the SBP or for assistance in completing elections, please contact PPC (RAS) at 1-866-772-8724 (toll-free).
Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Information for Reserve Personnel
Information for reservists who are between 20-years satisfactory service and reaching age 60.
If you have no spouse or children at the 20-year point and later acquire a spouse and/or children, you may elect to enroll your new beneficiaries in the RCSBP. You must request enrollment by completing a CG-11221, Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) Option - Election Certificate, within one year of obtaining a spouse and/or child. A copy of the marriage and/or birth certificate must accompany request.
If you elect spouse coverage under Option B (deferred annuity) or C (immediate annuity), and your spouse dies, you may suspend your RCSBP spouse coverage. You must notify us and provide a copy of the death certificate. If you elected coverage for both spouse and children, your RCSBP child coverage would continue.
If you elect spouse coverage under Option B (deferred annuity) or C (immediate annuity), and later divorce, you have the following rights:
- You may suspend your RCSBP spouse coverage by providing a copy of your divorce decree.
- You may voluntarily elect to cover your former spouse under the RCSBP. Submit a written request, with a copy of your divorce decree.
If you remarry after losing your RCSBP spouse beneficiary, you have the following rights within one year of your remarriage:
- Provide the same RCSBP coverage you had for your previous spouse.
- Terminate your RCSBP spouse coverage.
- Increase your RCSBP Base amount up to full retired pay. (Additional costs will apply.)
NOTE: The opportunity to make any changes to your RCSBP election must be made within one year of your remarriage by written notification to us at the address provided below.
Commanding Officer (SEP)
U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center
444 SE Quincy St
Topeka KS 66683-3591