Military Retirees, Disabled Veterans To See Largest Pay Raise In Decades For 2022.

Military retirees and veterans receiving disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will see their paychecks go up by 5.9% for 2022, triggered by inflation and an annual adjustment to the federal Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). That annual adjustment has averaged around 1.5% for the last 10 years.  The adjustment rate was announced Wednesday by the Social Security Administration. The VA is required by law to alter disability payment rates by that amount. While military retirement is not legally required to follow suit, the change is traditionally the same. To read more, please click here.

Threat To Military Pay And Benefits Delayed As Congress Punts Debt Ceiling Debate.

Potential disruptions to military pay and benefits were averted Tuesday night -- at least for a couple more months -- as Congress voted to delay a showdown over the U.S. borrowing limit until December. The House voted along party lines to approve a short-term increase to what's known as the debt limit or ceiling, which is the amount of money the Treasury Department can borrow in order to pay the nation's bills. The move followed the Senate's approval of the measure late last week. To read more, please click here.

 VA To Hire 2,000 New Processors To Help With Looming Spike In Claims Backlog.

Veterans Affairs leaders are bringing on more than 2,000 claims processors to deal with an expected spike in overdue cases that could push the department's claims backlog to its highest level in seven years. Department officials are also planning to use mandatory overtime for thousands of already-working claims staff and emergency coronavirus pandemic funding to help stem the problem. Even with that, Veterans Benefits Administration officials expect it to take two and a half years to bring the backlog back down to pre-pandemic levels. But they also are insisting veterans waiting on their claims to be processed should not panic. To read more, please click here.

Takano, HVAC Members Voice Support For VA Review of Discharges For LGBTQ+ Veterans

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) led several Committee Members in a public comment on the new proposed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rule to Update And Clarify Regulatory Bars To Benefits Based On Character Of Discharge. This proposed rule will take important steps to ensure veterans-including the thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans who were discharged during Don't Ask, Don't Tell-can finally access the care and benefits they've earned. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and HVAC Members Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) and Rep. Colin Allred (D-Tex.) joined the public comment.

In addition to this proposed rule, VA Issued A Directive On The Tenth Anniversary Of The Repeal Of Don't Ask, Don't Tellthat would establish a pre-decisional second review of any proposed character of discharge determination denials moving forward. At the Subcommittee On Oversight And Investigations Legislative Hearing last month, Membersdiscussed Chairman Takano's Commission On LGBTQ Servicemembers And Veterans Act and Chair Pappas' Securing The Rights Our Veterans Have Earned Or SERVE Act, which would build equity for LGBTQ+ veterans and enshrine VA's directive into law. 

"All veterans, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or other status, should receive the high-quality care and benefits earned during military service," the Members wrote in their comment. "For example, veterans of color are more likely to experience involvement with the military justice system and face disciplinary actions. They are investigated more often and punished with more severity, and therefore more likely to receive an "other than honorable" discharge. When we have identified discrimination, we must take swift action to root it out and make whole those who have been wronged. That is why we voice our support for Secretary McDonough's directive of September 17, 2021, to provide VA healthcare and benefits to veterans with "other than honorable" discharges due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. This directive will help these veterans access vitally needed medical services, disability compensation, mental health services, and other benefits they have been deprived of, despite having fully earned them through dedicated service in the uniformed forces. "

The Members continued, "We recognize that more permanent solutions are also needed to ensure LGBTQ+ veterans are not whipsawed by policy reversals due to a future change in VA administration. We, therefore, are pursuing a change of statute through the Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned (SERVE) Act (H.R. 5170), which will permanently extend eligibility for VA services and benefits to those who were discharged due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, including under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Further, to have a more complete understanding of the history and continuing impacts discrimination against LGBTQ+ members of the military, we support a commission to study long-standing inequities for LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans. " 

A copy of the Members' public comment can be found HERE and below. 

IMPORTANT TO REITERATE: AFSA's Legislative Awareness Week Finishes Strong!

Saturday, October 9, was the final day of the 2021 Legislative Awareness Week. Our Team is proud to report that over 1,000 advocates participated in the various campaigns and activities scheduled throughout the week - with 4,300+ letters sent to members of Congress in just one week!

"Our Legislative Team's mantra is to be persistent, present, and proactive. This year's LAW program epitomizes a forward-thinking approach to grassroots advocacy and member engagement between the Team and our current and prospective members," said AFSA Executive Director Keith Reed. "As your Chief Executive, I remain focused on providing that value proposition as it pertains to membership. We are already looking forward to next year's program, and it just goes to show that together, we can go even further! Come ... be a part of something BIG!!!"

"It was amazing to see the results we received from this year's LAW," said Vanessa Lee, AFSA's Legislative Communications & Administrative Assistant. "The theme for this year's LAW was becoming an Advocacy All-Star - and we couldn't have executed without your relentless support and direct reinforcement of the work our lobbyists perform on the Hill and with the Administration."

"From the bottom of my heart, and from the bottom of the hearts of our dedicated Legislative Team, I'd like to say thank you for your participation and engagement, for building an effective legislative program at the Chapter level, and for being an Advocacy All-Star," said AFSA's Policy Advisor, Matthew Schwartzman in a Facebook LIVE address on Friday. "Now, we carry the torch with proactive engagements on the Hill to attempt to advance our priorities through the process with finality."

"I just want to say thank you for participating in this year's LAW program," said Bria Coles, AFSA's Policy Advisor, Military Affairs. "I was happy to be a part of the LAW 2021 process, and I am looking forward to what the future has in store." 

Provided below is the official schedule of events advocates had an opportunity to participate in throughout the course of the week:

In addition to the 20+ advocacy campaigns, our Team also recorded 4 Policy Panels, spotlighting several of the issues we are advocating for today. If you haven't had an opportunity to interact with any of the LAW materials, resources, campaigns, and/or panels unveiled throughout the week, please visit the official LAW 2021 website here.

Legislative Action Center 

Throughout the course of the 2021 Legislative Awareness Week (LAW), our Military and Government Relations Team unveiled 20+ advocacy campaigns on our Legislative Action Center. 

Each campaign consists of an AFSA supported piece of legislation and/or target area for this year's NDAA. While Saturday symbolized the final day of the LAW 2021, it is not the final day for you to contact your elected officials in support of each of the campaigns that impacts you, your family, your fellow Airmen, and/or your loved ones.  

Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below. 

Support the Reducing Barriers for Military Voters Act! 

This legislation places UOCAVA active-duty service members in a better position to have their ballots accepted when they vote.  

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88419/respond 

Support a more adequate BAH! 

To contact your elected officials in support of a more sufficient Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for service members and their families in this year's NDAA, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88420/respond 

Support the Military Hunger Prevention Act! 

This legislation would create a basic needs allowance to help service members who are struggling to provide food for themselves and their families. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88425/respond 

Support the G&R Incentive Pay Parity Act! 

This legislation would require that a special bonus or incentive pay for a member of the reserve component is the same as a member in the regular component of that Armed Force. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88430/respond 

Secure a 2.7% Pay-Raise! 

To contact your elected officials in support of a 2.7% pay-raise, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/71707/respond 

Protect the MilTA Program! 

To contact your elected officials asking for an increase in funding for the MilTA program at a level sufficient to meet an increase in demand and steadily rising tuition costs, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88433/respond 

Fully Fund Impact Aid! 

The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act would fully fund impact aid for the first time since 1969.  

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88442/respond 

Support the G&R GI Bill Parity Act! 

This legislation would expand eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill by adjusting the type of service that entitles a member of the Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard to such assistance. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88430/respond 

Support expanding TRICARE coverage for cranial remolding helmets! 

To contact your elected officials on this AFSA supported measure, please visit 

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88455/respond 

Support the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act! 

This legislation would allow a dependent up to the age of 26 to be covered under the TRICARE program without an additional premium; regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored plan. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88456/respond 

Support the Healthcare for Our Troops Act! 

This legislation would provide no-fee healthcare for members of the Guard and Reserve through TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and fix the parity gap for retirees receiving retirement pay due to deployment credits by extending eligibility for TRICARE upon receipt of retirement pay. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88457/respond 

Support the TRICARE Select Restoration Act! 

This legislation would eliminate TRICARE Select enrollment fees for veterans who retired prior to 2018. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88459/respond 

Support the TRICARE Fairness for G&R Retirees Act! 

This legislation would align eligibility for TRICARE health coverage with the age at which personnel of the Retired Reserve (former G&R members) begin receiving retired pay. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88461/respond 

Support the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act! 

This legislation would allow an employer a WOTC for hiring the spouse or domestic partner of a member of the Armed Forces and create a flexible spending arrangement that permits service members to pay for childcare on a pretax basis. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88463/respond 

Support the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act! 

This legislation would direct the forgiveness or offset of an overpayment of retired pay to a surviving spouse of a veteran. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88465/respond 

Support the Military Child Care Expansion Act! 

This legislation would establish a new stream of funding to modernize CDCs, expand childcare capacity for military families via pilot-public partnerships, and expand financial assistance for service members who hire in-home childcare providers. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88481/respond 

Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act! 

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88573/respond 

Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act! 

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88574/respond 

Support the Major Richard Star Act! 

This is one of the three concurrent receipt measures supported by AFSA. 

To contact your elected officials in support of this bill, please visit https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/campaigns/88513/respond 

If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Policy Advisor, Matthew Schwartzman, at mschwartzman@hqafsa.org.

Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,

We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.

The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.

Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.

For more information, please click here.

For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.

Please Update Your Contact Information Today!

Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,

In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. 
 
We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.

We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways: 

1. Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
2. Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
3. Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right

We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.

In sum, as of this past Saturday, the LAW 2021 has officially concluded. However, the work of our Military and Government Relations continues on.

This week, our Team will be going through the 2,000+ pages of language for this year's NDAA proposals from the House and Senate. 

Following this important work, we will provide an in-depth section-by section summary of each of the respective bills in our various departmental modes of correspondence and outline a pathway forward to ensure the final version of the bill contains the provisions deemed necessary to improve the quality of life of service members past and present and their families.

And that's the way it is for Thursday, October 14, 2021.

Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!