rapid fire
Miscellany: Mark Your 2012 Calendar
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY. Take advantage of MOAA’s April 19 networking event in preparation for the association’s military-focused and spouse-friendly career fair April 24. Both events are in the Washington, D.C., area. For more information, visit
www.moaa.org/careerfair. *A DOLLOP. Sour cream is a favorite accompaniment to many dishes, but it doesn’t have to mean excessive calories. Fat-free sour cream, made with skim milk rather than cream, is a fine substitute. Find recipes and more from Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., at
www.moaa.org/nutrition. *A CAPITAL EVENT. MOAA’s Annual Meeting of the Membership will take place Oct. 29-30 in the Washington, D.C., area. MOAA’s president and board of directors will discuss the association’s top initiatives, and a new class of board members will be sworn in. Attending members can network and take part in events that include the chapter Levels of Excellence Award presentation, a military-and spouse-friendly career fair, and the second annual Community Heroes Awards. For additional information, visit
www.moaa.org/capitalevent.
Lock in Extra Benefits
When you upgrade your MOAA membership to Life Member status, you lock in an extra level of privileges:
Spousal support. Life Member privileges automatically transfer to your spouse after your death.
Action on the Hill. You receive lifelong recognition as a supporter of MOAA’s legislative priorities.
Waived fees. Join the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., with no initiation fee.
Travel benefits. Earn 2,500 reward points when you book through MOAA’s vacation center.
Financial security. With one transaction, you can pay for a lifetime of MOAA membership and avoid future annual dues increases. To upgrade your MOAA membership or to learn more, call MOAA’s Member Service Center at (800) 234-MOAA (6622).
ASK BUD
Q. I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE (DFAS) CALCULATED THE GROSS DISTRIBUTION PRINTED ON MY 1099-R THIS YEAR.
A. First, recall we had 13 pay deposits in tax year 2011. To calculate your distribution, find the Pay Item Description box on your Retiree Account Statement (RAS) from DFAS. There are two columns — “old” and “new.” Because no COLA applied to pay in tax year 2011, most retirees received 12 equal payments of the amount indicated in the old column. Multiply the figure listed alongside “Taxable Income” by 12 payments to get your retired pay in 2011. However, a 13th payment was deposited in most accounts on or about Dec. 30, 2011. A COLA applied to retired pay in 2012, and retirees received one payment of this new amount. Simply add one payment of the taxable income listed under the new column to the 12 payments of the old amount deposited in your account, and the figure should match Box 1 of your 1099-R. Keep in mind, VA Waivers and Survivor Benefit Plan costs are not taxable income.
Service members with a pay center other than DFAS have a different RAS, but the same information is contained on the form. Contact MOAA’s Benefits Information and Financial Education Department at (800) 234-MOAA (6622) with any questions.
— Capt. Bud Schneeweis, USCG-Ret., CFP®, is director of MOAA’s Benefits Information and Financial Education Department.
APRIL 2012 MILITARY OFFICER 23
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