According to the Army Reserve Retirement Personnel Center, they will send out my retirement packet on my 58th birthday. I received it today in Khon Kaen, Thailand – 2 days before my 58th birthday. Way to go Personnel Center!
They also included my total Reserve points for my 29 1/2 years of service and it is correct. So, I am ready to submit.
Kind of. The form requires that my spouse sign that she understands her Survivor Benefits Program info and has it notarized. Despite having done this 2 years ago when we got married, we have to do it again. It is a real pain in the ass since there is no notary in Thailand except at the US Embassy.
So, a trip to Bangkok is in order. Another 500 bucks down the drain but maybe I will be able to convince the wife to go to a beach for a few days while we are in the area.
Army Reserve Personnel also included a postage paid envelope that is only good in the US – thanks for the thought. And, they will not accept registered or return receipt. The only way you can know if they got your packet in time isif you include a self addressed, stamped post card. Again – thanks – but no can do from Thailand.
And – if Army Reserve Personnel does not receive my packet in time (9 months before my 60th birthday), I forfeit my retirement money. So friggin stupid. I have to apply for a benefit that everyone in the Personnel office knows that I am entitled to (we do live in an electronic age and they do have all my documents) but I still have to ask for my money and if I don’t ask, I don’t get.
I have to sign the documents too – and I require a witness -but the wife requires a notary – go figure.
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