Posted on Jul 1, 2016

Why do retiree ID cards look so fake? Is it time for an update? I say maybe, so long as it is cost effective. Any ideas?

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Retirement

Posted >1 y ago

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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS

Posted >1 y ago

It goes back to Pre-CAC days. All the ID's had a similar design. Active Duty were Green, Retirees were blue, Reservists were Red/Pink, Dependents were Brown. When the CAC were introduced, not all ID Card Holders needed "Common Access" therefore, not everyone got Common Access Cards.

The old ID card is CHEAP. The CAC is "inexpensive" in bulk, but not as cheap as the old cards.

Additionally, why change cards when you can leave ALL retirees on ONE format, and Active/Reservists will naturally phase out, and Retirees don't expire anyways? Multiple formats create confusion and logistical burden.

TSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

Actually, your first Retiree ID card does have an expiration date. If I recall correctly, for about the last year or so, Retiree IDs are set to retire the day before they become eligible for MediCare (65th birthday). After your 65th birthday, you get the INDEF. It is a recent change, like I said, so there are still quite a few of us under 65 that are INDEF.

PO1 Joseph Glennon

>1 y

TSgt (Join to see) - True* retiree ID cards say "Indef" on the front - that's for military benefits. On the back of the card is where it's got the day before the 65th birthday.

*True, as opposed to TDRL (Temporary Disability Retired List). TDRL is capped at 5 years (unless they changed that in the 15 or so years since I learned the ID stuff)... PDRL (Permanent Disability Retired List) is the same as a normal retiree's card - basically.

TSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

PO1 Joseph Glennon - As I am not on either list, I can't comment. I do know, MY Retiree ID has a space for three dates: Expiration: on the front and my date of birth and date of issue on the back. I have co-workers who are recently retired and they told me about there being an expiration date, and showed me their ID card with said date on the FRONT.