MILITARY RETIREE PAY DATES TO CHANGE****** 
CLEVELAND (AFRNS) -- Paydays for military retirees and those who receive portions of retired pay are changing for September and December, as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service changes its pay schedule to comply with the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. The 2011 NDAA requires military retiree pay to be processed on the first day of the month. When that day falls on a weekend or national holiday, the pay date is moved to the previous business day. This year payments normally scheduled for Oct. 3 will be issued on Sept. 30, and payments normally scheduled for Jan. 3, 2012, will be issued on Dec. 30. For calendar 2011, this means military retirees will receive 13 rather than the normal 12 payments. The 13th payday on Dec. 30 falls within the 2011 tax year which could affect the tax liability of some retirees and those who receive portions of their retired pay. Customers should speak with a tax adviser, the Internal Revenue Service or their state tax authority to determine if their tax withholding will satisfy federal and state income taxes when they file returns next year. DFAS officials cannot provide tax advice.
      For tax year 2012 and beyond, retirees will receive their normal 12 payments. This change affects regular retired pay, Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay and Combat Related Special Compensation. The new rule also applies to retiree allotments, garnishments and court-ordered former spouse and child support payments. It does not affect annuity payments. If retirees need to make changes to their federal or state tax withholding, the quickest and most secure way to do so is through myPay. Available 24/7, myPay enables eligible users worldwide to make routine changes to their pay information, including tax withholding, that become effective within days. Customers who cannot access myPay can change federal withholding amounts by completing a new IRS Form W-4 or W-4P, or change state withholding amounts using a DD 2866. These forms can be found on the DFAS website (www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html) and should be mailed or faxed to the below address once completed:
     Defense Finance and Accounting Service
     U.S. Military Retired Pay
     P.O. Box 7130
     London, KY 40742-7130
     Fax: 800-469-6559
It may take up to 30 days for changes to be made when mailing in a paper form. (Courtesy of DFAS)

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Update on State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) Program
MNGEA has been working hard regarding last year's $7500 cap on the state reimbursement program. Through our work with the state Military Affairs Office & other state legislative bodies, we are pleased to announce that effective 1 July, the STR will reimburse up to 100% of tuition charges, up to the University of Minnesota semester hour rate, w/ max yearly benefit of $10K per fiscal year (1 Jul - 31 Jun). This was reported in the Minnesota National Guard Circular 621-5-1 (dated 01 Jul 2011). This is a huge accomplishment for our state Guardsmen and a topic MNGEA spearheaded. Thanks to all for everyone’s support.

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Grassroots Lobbying
Grassroots lobbying is perhaps the most effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your opinion. Whether you are calling into a local or Washington, D.C. office, sending a letter or e-mail, signing a petition, or making a personal visit. Members of Congress are the most receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing co-sponsorship on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know of veteran‘s feelings on issues.
You can reach their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to express your views.
Otherwise, you can locate your legislator‘s phone number, mailing address, or email/website on,

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HF 0082 (Military Retirement)
Respond as you See Fit
Find out how your Representive is and give them a call a home/office and ask them to Co - author this bill. A bill for an act relating to taxation; individual income; providing a phased-in subtraction for military retirement pay; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 290.01, 1.4 subdivision 19b; 290.091, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

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WARNING TO VETERANS - 19JAN11
Forwarded by Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.
   Websites with the name "vaservices" immediately after the "www" ARE NOT part of the Depatment of Veterans Affairs, the US Government agency. Do not go to them or if approached or called, do not offer them any information concerning yourself or data on other veterans. Keep in mind that the real VA website ends in .gov. Also, be aware that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not randomly call veterans, nor does it ask veterans for information which it does not already have like Social Security Numbers. In particular, if you have not dealt with the VA previously and in person and all of a sudden, you receive a call from someone saying they are with the VA or something similar sounding, hang up the phone. Also, do not respond to emails which suggest that they are from the VA. The VA never conducts official business nor asks for personal information by email.
   VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.
   In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.

Michael G. Daugherty Staff Attorney
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of General Counsel (022G2)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420