You can register to receive an email every time there is a new post. In the “Follow Blog via Email” section and press “Follow”. On the next screen, enter your email address and press ENTER. Shortly, you will receive a confirmation email to your address from WordPress.com. You acknowledge the email and you are a registered reader.
After you compete this short registration process, you get a notification email every time there is a new posting. The email has a quick teaser of the posting, along with tags that indicate how the posting relates to special topics/areas.
Thanks to these Retiree News readers who registered to “Follow Blog via Email”: Charlene Takesue, Arthur Pang, Fred Chesbro, Karen Stender, Lorna Souza
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is the only agency that can issue a 1099-R for tax form to retirees and annuitants. Retirees and annuitants should receive a 1099-R electronically via myPay or as a paper copy in the mail each year.
People relying on a paper copy who have not received their 1099-R by the end of January each year can call DFAS at 800-321-1080 and use the self-service request option. Telephone self-service requests are logged instantly and are sent to a person’s current address of record within three business days.
A written request by fax or mail takes time. It may take DFAS representatives 30 to 60 days to process requests received by fax or mail.
Those retirees and annuitants with Internet access — but not a myPay account — can use the “Ask DFAS” option. This option allows people to update a mailing address, enter an email address and request a 1099-R. The transaction will be logged instantly and it will be in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
Regardless of how a person receives his or her annual 1099-R, it is vital that DFAS has a current mailing address on file for each retiree and annuitant at all times. (Courtesy of DFAS website)
Taken from the Spring/Summer 2014 issue of Afterburner, the e-newsletter for USAF retired personnel
Stanley Louis Medeiros Sr., 84, of Kahului, a Department of Defense employee and an Army and Army National Guard veteran who served in Vietnam and received a Bronze Star and other medals, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center passes away on January 10, 2015. He was born in Paia, Maui.
He is survived by sons Stanley Jr. and Kenneth, daughter Vanessa A., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Ballard Family Mortuary-Kahului. Additional visitation: 9 a.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Church, Paia. Mass: 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Makawao Veterans Cemetery.
Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com.
After 18 months of hearings and testimony, the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission released its much-anticipated final report Thursday in Arlington, Va., outlining 15 recommendations intended to modernize the military services’ compensation and benefits programs and help keep the all volunteer force “sustainable,” said Chairman Alphonso Maldon.
The centerpiece of the report calls for the current retirement system to be tweaked by allowing more flexibility, lowering the government’s liability to defined benefit pensions. The current system, where a service member becomes fully vested in a defined benefit retirement at 20 years, would eventually be replaced with a “blended system” using thrift savings plans and 401(k) accounts to boost returns, lower costs to the Department of Defense, and ensure retirement assets for the 83 percent of service members who leave the force without being vested for a defined benefit retirement annuity.
The commission also calls for overhauling the TRICARE system, for users who are not Active Duty military members, and implementing a “basic allowance” pay for health care plans chosen by family members and retirees.
Other recommendations include changes to commissary and exchange management, joint medical readiness, and financial literacy.
Link to full report; Caution, large-sized file
If someone calls saying he’s an IRS agent and demands that you send money immediately, hang up.
A series of changes included in a draft 2016 budget proposal under consideration by the Defense Department could raise commissary grocery prices, reduce store hours and cut employees.
The cuts could be included in the President’s 2016 budget set to be released early next month. The proposal is then sent to Congress for changes and approval, likely sometime late this year.
If you want to live longer, move somewhere extremely warm or extremely cold. At least it seems that way, according to a new report from 24/7 Wall Street. The site crunched the numbers from the Centers for Disease Control to figure out which states have the longest life expectancies.
The following items were in the “In My Opinion” column in the January 1996 issue of the 154th Support Group Training Bulletin. Ranks and unit designations are as they were in 1996.
Lt Col Gervin Miyamoto, a Traditional Guard member served as the 154th Wing’s Executive Officer. He took a leave of absence from his Honolulu Police Department job to take over the State Department of Defense’s Drug Interdiction Program. He succeeded LTC Arakaki, who has successfully led the program for several years.
During the UTA weekend, there was the dedication of the 154th Wing’s new Motor Pool/AGE Facility. The two shops had worked in their old cramped facilities that were part of the original Wing compound.
Maj Ann Greenlee, who served as the 154th Wing’s Social Actions Officer, started her new position as the military personnel officer at Headquarters, Hawai‘i Air National Guard. She filled the position held by Capt Randy Tom before he left for a tour at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews AFB. Maryland.
The Hawai‘i Army National Guard hosted the Annual Hawaii National Guard Fun Run & Walk at Bellows AFS in Waimānalo.
Governor Ben Cayetano appointed Lt Col Jerry Matsuda as the Deputy Director of the State Department of Transportation. Jerry was the commander of the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron, and served as the Engineering Officer of State Department of Defense’s engineering office as a state employee.
The planning for the Annual HIANG Awards Banquet continued. The banquet held at the Hale Koa Hotel recognized Guard members nominated their commanders for the various awards.
TSgt Joyce Arakaki, who served as the Wing commander’s secretary, retired. She had worked for several years at the Headquarters, 201st Combat Communications Group prior to taking the 154th Wing position. Joyce joined her husband, LTC Don “Rock” Arakaki, who had recently retired from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard. Don went on to serve as the senior instructor at the Junior ROTC program at Wai‘anae High School.
The 154th Logistics Squadron hosted a retirement party for Lt Col Willson Sakai, the retiring commander. Prior to this assignment, he flew as a weapons systems officer in the F-4C Phantoms assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron. The well attend party was held at the Pearl Country Club.
The measles outbreak has now infected 94 people in eight states, with 67 cases clearly linked to Disneyland, California health officials reported Wednesday.
More cases are expected. Here are five things you need to know about measles:
For generations, widespread mainland dreams of retirement in Hawaii have been evolving into a cliché built on lazy golden sunsets, frothy seaside mai tais and hula dancers. Perhaps there’s a little Don Ho playing in the background, as well.
It is why many people saved up throughout their careers to move here and enjoy leisurely days.
So why on earth would a couple that has lived in the islands for decades — and that enjoys the warm, friendly vibe — move away just as they settle in for their golden years?
If you plan to attend the Transfer of Authority, please RSVP using this link
https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=227687&k=0063450F7350
There will be a Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony between the former Adjutant General Maj Gen Darryll Wong and the newly appointed Adjutant General BG Arthur “Joe” Logan. There will be a formation with Hawai‘i Army and Air National Guard representation with colors.
Where: 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center
When: Sunday, February 8, 2015
Time: Ceremony starts at 1500
Uniform: ABU/ACU; Aloha attire for retirees and guests
The long-awaited report on military compensation set to drop Thursday will propose fundamental changes to military retirement and health care benefits, according to several people familiar with the report.
Missed the anniversary! The Retiree News website began on Saturday, January 19, 2013, after your webmaster viewed three YouTube instructional videos from the WordPress website. It’s been an interesting and educational 24 months.
Website stats (at last check): 1404 posts, 392 readers who registered to follow the blog by email, and 134,371 hits.
2015 goals: 1000 posts, 150 new registered readers, and 150,000 hits.
Thanks to those who sent in information and photographs to post. Special thanks to Stephen Lum who shared photographs of many past and current events.
There is still a continuing quest for old photographs of Guard activities from the past. If you have an old photograph, scan it as the “jpeg” as email it to retireenews@hawaii.rr.com. The challenge of old photographs is identifying the people in the shot. The goal is preserved history; sharing it with those too young to remember.
Thanks to everyone for your support. Retiree News will continue to improve; sharing information with Hawaii National Guard retirees, members and friends.
How much do you know about airlines and what goes on inside airlines during flight? Well, after going through these 20 secrets, you’d know a lot more and not all of this knowledge will make you feel better. Still, you will find the facts interesting, folks!
