Retirement Services

ID Card Appointments

Appointments can now be made with the ID Card Section. One ID card station is designated to process individuals with an appointment. When calling for an appointment, the customer will be screened and advised of any documentation they need to bring. Walk-ins will continue to be served at the three remaining stations on a first-come, first-served basis. For an appointment call: (334) 255-2182 or (334) 255-2437.

Fort Rucker Retirement Services Office

Location: Soldiers Service Center, Bldg 5700, Room 161
Phone: (334) 255-9124/9739 or (800) 240-9373
Hours of operation: 0730 - 1615, Monday - Friday
E-mail: ruck.retirees@conus.army.mil

Note: Office is Handicap-accessible.

Mission Statement

The Retirement Services Office (RSO) at Fort Rucker, AL provides information on benefits and entitlements to active duty Soldiers and their families preparing for retirement. The RSO provides counsel and support to active duty personnel, family members, retirees and their family members on the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) program. The RSO publishes an annual retiree newsletter and works in conjunction with the Retiree Council to host the installation's annual Retiree Appreciation Days.

Pre-Retirement Services

Processing retirement applications
Periodic Pre-Retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) group briefings for all rtetiring Soldiers (highly encourage family members attend).
Counseling Soldiers and family members on retirement rights, benefits, and privileges.
One-on-one SBP counseling for all retiring Soldiers, and their family members.
One-on-one Pre-Retirement briefings as needed.
Completion of DD Form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel).
CSB/REDUX pay option election form.

Post-Retirement Services

Provide retired Soldiers and their families with information on benefits and entitlements including Veterans Affairs (VA), TRICARE, dental; Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Assist retired Soldiers apply for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC).
Provide information to retired Soldiers on Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP).
Assist retired Soldiers and family members obtain copies of lost documents such as DD Form 214, retirement orders, medical records and replacement of lost awards.
Provide information and assistance to Soldiers, spouses and former spouses regarding the Uniformed Services Former Spouse’s Protection Act (USFSPA).
Assist survivors of retired Soldiers regarding their SBP options and other entitlements, including Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Provide information and filing assistance for the “Annuities for Certain Military Surviving Spouses” – or ACMSS, also known as “Forgotten Widows”.

Other Retirement Services

View retired pay account
View annuitant's pay account
Change allotments
Change beneficiary information
Change mailing address
Change bank information
Change tax filing and withholding status
Request copies of the 1099-R form for tax filing purposes
Request copies of the Retired Account Statement

Retirement Ceremonies

The Quarterly "Honor Eagle" Retirement Ceremonies are:

21 January 2010

Pre-Retirement and SBP Briefings

Detailed Pre-Retirement group briefings for all retiring Soldiers are normally held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting at 1330, Room 282, in the Soldiers' Service Center, Building 5700 (family members are also highly encouraged to attend). The topics covered during the Pre-Retirement Briefings include: Computing retired pay and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Medical benefits, to include TRICARE, TRICARE-for-Life (TFL), dental, space-available care in military treatment facilities, supplemental health insurance, demonstration projects, and the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), Veterans’ benefits, Retirement Services Program, New Careers in Education, Former spouse benefits, division of retired pay, SBP, and ID card eligibility, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), and of SGLI conversion to Veterans Group Life Insurance, Transition leave and permissive temporary duty (PTDY), Travel authorizations and shipment of household goods, Space-available air travel, Social Security, Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP), Annuities for Certain Military Surviving Spouses (ACMSS), myPay system, Career Status Bonus (CSB), Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Army Benefits Tool (ABT) and Soldier Benefits System (SBS), Freedom Team Salute (FTS), and other topics as directed by the DCS, G-1 (DAPE-HRP-RSO).

SBP counseling is conducted one-to-one (desk-side) on a "by appointment" basis. Appointments are made by calling (334) 255-9124. SBP information packets outlining the program and estimated benefits/costs are mailed to Soldiers approximately 6-months prior to the start of transition leave or retirement date. A one-to-one appointment is then scheduled for the retiree to make their SBP election. Spouses should also attend as they must sign the SBP paperwork if an election is made for less than the full amount of SBP. The appointment is also used to complete the DD Form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel), which establishes the retiree's pay account with Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Fort Rucker Retiree Council

The Retiree Council is made up of members who are military retirees or the widow(er) of a military retiree with representatives of all branches of the military. The Council meets on the first Thursday of every month for the purpose of presenting the issues of local retirees to the installation command and annually to the Chief of Staff of the Army's Retiree Council. For more information, please contact the RSO at 334-255-9124. Issues of an individual nature cannot be addressed by the Council; however, items of a general nature of concern to all military retirees will be addressed.

Casualty Affairs and Survivors Assistance

Soldiers Service Center, Bldg 5700, Room 280. (334) 255-9005/9081 or (800) 661-1407.