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LEGISLATIVE AND BENEFIT UPDATES

Credit: Architect of the Capitol Legislative and Benefit Updates

Spring Mariner 2022

By Michael P. Hughes, OSC, USNR (ret.)

Military Benefit Retirement Pay
Changes for 2022 Although military retirees are receiving a 5.9% COLA
increase in 2022, there is one exception. Those retirees

Cost of Living Adjustments who entered the service after July 31, 1986 had the option
(COLA) are based on of the Career Bonus Status (SB)/REDUX instead of the
increase in the CPI-W, high 3-year average for retirement pay. Under this pro-
Consumer Price Index for gram they receive a substantial bonus during their 15th
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers published by year of service and receive a reduced retirement rate until
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The COLA for 2022 is 62 years of age and a reduction of 1% of any COLA
5.9 % and applies to military retirees, Dept. of Veterans increases in retirement pay.
Affairs disability and benefit payments, federal retirees,
and Social Security recipients. It does not apply for mili- BAH Rates for 2022
tary pay which is determined legislatively each year. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on rank,
military pay raise for 2022 is 2.7%. Following are some dependent status, and the housing costs for the geographic
notable key benefit changes for 2022: area of a member's duty station. It is currently intended to
cover 95% of housing costs. The average increase in BAH
for 2022 according to DoD will be 5.1%.
TRICARE
n TRICARE Reserve Select monthly premiums BAS Rates for 2022
decreased for an individual from $47.20 to $46.70 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is only for food
and for a family from $238.99 to $229.99. costs for officers and enlisted. It is not intended to cover
costs for dependents, just the military member. The allow-
n Retired Reserve monthly premiums increased from ances for 2022 are to increase 5.3 %.
$484.83 to $502.32 for individuals and from $1,165
to $1206.59 for family coverage. Incentive and Special Duty Pay
The recently enacted National Defense Authorization
n Young Adult Select monthly premiums Act (NDAA) for FY 2022 requires Reserve and National
increased from $257 to $265 and Guard to be paid incentive and special duty pay at the
Young Adult Prime monthly premiums same rate as their active duty counterparts.
increased from $459 to $512.
NERA continues to follow and advocate
n Continued Health Care Benefit Program quarterly on many more legislative and policy issues
premiums increased from $1,599 to $1,654 for an
individual and from $3,605 to $4,079 for a family. concerning compensation, benefits and
well-being of our members. If you have
n TRICARE For Life has no TRICARE premium specific questions, please email me at
fees, but it should be noted that the required [email protected] or send postal mail to my
Medicare Part B monthly premiums have increased attention at NERA national headquarters.
14.5 %.

6 The Mariner • 2022 SPRING Edition • Volume 65 • Issue 1