Individual Reservists have until Dec. 31 to complete BRS training

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Timm Huffman
  • Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization
Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen are required to complete the Blended Retirement System acknowledgement and online opt-in training by Dec. 31, 2017.

These requirements provide information to members about the new retirement plan options that will come available to them beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

Individual Reservists who have already completed their Blended Retirement System Opt-in training in the Joint Knowledge Online system must provide their certificate of completion to their Unit Training Monitor to have their ADLS account updated. Training data does not automatically flow between the two systems.


BRS Acknowledgement | Time: <10 minutes

Reservists complete the BRS acknowledgement on myPers, which can be accessed with a CAC or username and password. If a member has forgotten their username and password, they can call the TFSC to have this reset--1-800-525-0102.

- https://mypers.af.mil/ci/documents/detail/2/AFR_BRSN

BRS Opt-in Training | Time: ~2 hours

(Note: this course provides information regarding the new system and how it differs from the legacy retirement program. Completing the course does not opt members into the new program).

Training is available via ADLS (course number ZZ133146, located under Selected Force Training) 

If the member already completed the BRS Opt-in Training in JKO, they must provide their training certificate to their Unit Training Manager in order to have ADLS updated to receive credit for the training.

About the Blended Retirement System

On January 1, 2018, the Department of Defense will introduce a new military retirement plan known as the Blended Retirement System (BRS). Anyone joining the service on or after that date will be covered by the new retirement system, while anyone serving prior to that is grandfathered under the current retirement system. Service members with fewer than 12 years of service and reserve-component members with fewer than 4,320 retirement points, as of December 31, 2017, have the option of switching to the Blended Retirement System.

This new plan represents a significant change from current military retirement as service members will now be eligible to receive government contributions to their Thrift Savings Plans in exchange for a reduced pension upon retirement. Under the current retirement system, only 19% of service members remain on active duty to qualify for retirement pay; however, under the BRS, nearly 85% of military members will leave the service with some retirement benefit (i.e., Thrift Savings Plan and, in some cases, retired annuity). Members will not be automatically moved to the Blended Retirement System.

The first opportunity to enroll in the BRS will be on January 1, 2018. Members will have all of 2018 to make their election; however, once enrolled in BRS, the election is irrevocable; it cannot be undone.

For more information, visit http://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/.