10.1 Benefits and Services (AFH-1 Section 11A)
Key Takeaways
- The Air Force Portal, launched in 2000, is a single CAC/DoD PKI entry point to myPay, the Air Force Virtual Education Center, MyFitness, vMPF, LeaveWeb, the Assignment Management System, and Air Force E-Publishing.
- Transition Assistance Program initial and pre-separation counseling are due no later than 365 days before separation; Capstone is due no later than 90 days.
- SGLI provides up to $500,000 in coverage; FSGLI provides up to $100,000 for a spouse and $10,000 for each dependent child, elected in SOES.
- The Blended Retirement System applies to members who entered service on or after 1 January 2018 and uses a 2.0 percent multiplier on the highest 36 months of base pay.
- The Survivor Benefit Plan annuity is 55 percent of the applicable retired-pay figure, and the elected base amount may be full retired pay or a portion down to $300.
ADTC B: explain the systems
Section 11A is B (Understanding) for SSgt and TSgt on the 15 February 2025 ADTC. A failed CAC stops LeaveWeb, vMPF, and myPay together.
Portal, CAC, myPay, vMPF, LeaveWeb
In 2000 the USAF launched the Air Force Portal as a single point of entry to web-based information, self-service applications, collaboration tools, and combat support systems, many without a separate user ID and password. Access is from any internet-connected computer with a valid DoD PKI certificate, such as a CAC.
AFH 1 names myPay, Air Force Virtual Education Center, MyFitness, vMPF, LeaveWeb, Assignment Management System, and Air Force E-Publishing. Library and Resources opens periodicals and training materials.
M&FRC / portal services
M&FRC services assist commanders in assessing and supporting the welfare of the military and build a strong sense of community. They support mission readiness by helping Airmen and families adapt to expeditionary operations and the military lifestyle.
| Channel | AFH 1 list |
|---|---|
| Portal (CAC / DoD PKI) | myPay, AFVEC, MyFitness, vMPF, LeaveWeb, AMS, e-Publishing |
| Personal and Work Life | Intervention, prevention/enrichment, skill-building to balance work and home |
| CKSP | Official unit family readiness program; unit–M&FRC–community partnerships |
| TAP | Congressionally mandated. Initial and pre-separation counseling NLT 365 days. Core (DoD Day, DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Training, VA Benefits and Services), one 2-day Employment, Education, Vocational, or Entrepreneurship track, Capstone NLT 90 days |
| Volunteer Resources | Volunteer Excellence Award, CSAF-level |
| MFLC | DoD-contracted, confidential, non-medical, short-term, solution-focused |
| EFMP | Medical, assignments, family |
| Families Forever | Long-term case management for surviving families (RegAF/USSF/ARC deaths in AD, IDT, or AT) |
| Voting | Installation Voter Assistance Office; DAFI 36-3107 |
| Deployment briefings | Mandatory for taskings of 30 or more days |
| Employment / relocation / child education | Workshops; pre- and post-move referrals; school liaison officers |
| Personal Financial Readiness | Mandatory training by certified financial counselors; free |
| Crisis / EFAC | Immediate referral; EFAC when directed by the installation commander |
| CAR | DAF, VA, SSA, IRS, HHS, state/local counseling; PNOK notice; appointed for deceased, DUSTWUN, or missing; notice within 12 hours |
| Legal | Not in M&FRCs — Staff Judge Advocate |
Hold TAP clocks 365 and 90. Legal work is SJA.
vRED, SOES, family care
DD Form 93 becomes the vRED in vMPF. List who to notify if ill, injured, wounded, missing, or deceased; designate Death Gratuity, Arrears of Pay, and the PADD. Review annually and after marriage, divorce, births, before deployments, TDYs over 30 days, and PCS. The PADD need not be related.
SOES (DoD and Veteran Benefits Administration) is SGLI/FSGLI self-service, 24/7/365. SGLI up to $500,000; FSGLI up to $100,000 spouse and $10,000 per child. SGLV Form 8286 remains valid until a SOES election supersedes it. Military-to-military couples must update DEERS at MPF Customer Service or RAPIDS before SOES will certify.
Family care plans are required for single parents with custody, military couples with dependents, and members solely responsible for a spouse or adult/elderly dependent — including limited English, inability to drive, or inability to reach life-sustaining facilities. Keep the member worldwide deployable. Certify on DAF Form 357. Commanders or first sergeants counsel at inprocessing and annually brief individually. Notify immediately, or within 30 days (60 days Selected Reserve). No plan within 60 days of that discussion may bring discipline or administrative separation. Deferments are primarily four months.
VA, TRICARE, retirement, SBP, Red Cross, RAP/WEAR
Disability compensation is tax-free, 10–100 percent in 10-percent steps, with a dependent add-on at 30 percent or more. Burial uses 155 national cemeteries. AFH 1 does not publish TRICARE premiums. TRICARE is DoD care; VHA is for enrolled veterans. Primary plans: Prime and Select. Three dental plans: active duty, TRICARE dental, TRICARE retiree dental.
DIEUS (fixed; not adjusted for a break) picks the retired-pay plan. Enlisted: 20 years TAFMS and must apply or they separate on DOS. Officers: 20 TAFMS + 10 years commissioned. Apply in myFSS up to 12 months, no less than 4 months, after eligibility review.
| Plan | Entry | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Final Basic Pay | Before 8 Sep 1980 | 2.5% × years × basic pay |
| High-3 | 8 Sep 1980 – 31 Jul 1986 | 2.5% × highest 36 months |
| High-3 or CSB/REDUX | 1 Aug 1986 – 31 Dec 2017 | REDUX 2% first 20 years, 3.5% after; $30K CSB at 15 years for five more years |
| BRS | On/after 1 Jan 2018 | 2.0% × highest 36 months |
30 years = 75 percent max; then +2.5 percent/year to 100 percent. BRS: automatic 1 percent TSP after 60 days, match up to 4 percent after 2 years, until separation, retirement, or 26 years.
Pay stops at death. SBP annuity 55 percent; spouse cannot outlive it. RegAF with spouse or children: automatic, no cost. Not yet retirement eligible: death must be LOD, computed as if total-disability retired. Not LOD: member must have been retirement eligible, computed as years-of-service retired pay. Base: full pay down to $300. Cancel in the one-year window between the second and third anniversary of retired pay; no refund; spouse consent; permanent. Paid-up: age 70 and 360 months.
Red Cross: free 365/24/7; 1-800-733-2767; verified messages help commanders decide emergency leave. Partners: Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. RAP: support a recruiter on non-chargeable leave (DAFI 36-3003). WEAR: permissive TDY to applicants (ages 17–39) or influencers (parents, community leaders, teachers, counselors, or coaches).
According to AFH 1 Section 11A, how do Airmen access the Air Force Portal, and which self-service applications does the handbook name behind that access?
What maximum coverage amounts does AFH 1 list for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance?
An Airman who entered service in March 2019 later retires. Which retirement pay plan and multiplier does AFH 1 Table 11.1 assign?