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November Retiree Appreciation Days (RADs)!
Join us at a RAD in November to receive information updates important to the retiree community and learn more about your benefits.
6 Nov: Fort Benning, GA
7 Nov: Ft. Polk, LA
7 Nov: JBSA-Ft Sam Houston, TX
Connect with other retirees and various installation services. Go to the RAD Calendar for more information.
Open Season is coming! Are you ready for 2027?
Mark your calendars for the TRICARE and Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) Open Seasons starting November 9, 2026.
Same start date but different end dates, here’s what you need to know:
TRICARE Open Season: November 9–December 8, 2026
FEDVIP Open Season: November 9–December 14, 2026
New coverage takes effect: January 1, 2027
Need to change your plan? Now’s the time. If you are currently enrolled for 2026 and don’t make any changes during Open Season, your current coverage choices will be maintained into 2027.
TIME TO RETIREMENT
24 to 36 months
START RESEARCHING
What Is Your Target Retirement Date?
- Begin thinking about when to retire. You don't have to be specific yet.
Learn the Actions Required
- Locate the Retirement Services Office for your location.
- Contact the Transition Office at your installation for location/installation specific retirement requirements.
Gather Information
- Become familiar with helpful planning tools and materials.
- Find everything about retirement from A to Z in the Army Retirement Planning Guide.
- Read the “Change of Mission” newsletter for up-to-date information on policies and benefits relevant to Soldiers with 17 or more years of service.
- Consider where you want to retire to—will the decision be based on a desired location, a job or education opportunity or other variables?
Conduct Financial & Estate Planning
- Build an emergency fund over the next 24 to 36 months by calculating 3 -6 months of living expenses for your family.
- Use the U.S. Army's Financial Frontline calculators to determine how much your civilian salary needs to be to equal military take home pay.
- Estimate your retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums and Survivor annuity using the calculator tools on MyArmyBenefits.
- Use the SBP planning tools on the DoW Actuary Page and the Army Retirement Services SBP information page to find out how SBP compares to a term life insurance policy purchased from a private insurer and other useful planning information.
- Research life insurance options available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as well as through commerical sources.
Research Health Care Options
- Use the TRICARE Plan Finder to find TRICARE health insurance options for Retired Soldiers.
- Find FEDVIP dental and vision care options on the BENEFEDS website for retired service members.
NEXT
- Begin Decision Making: 18 - 24 months before retirement
Regular Retirement Checklist
Download the active/regular retirement checklist of things to accomplish 24 to 36 months before your planned retirement date.