Posted on Nov 22, 2017
Mark Overberg, Director of Army Retirement Services, here to talk about the new blended retirement system. What questions do you have?
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Mark enlisted as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst in 1985, he served two years in the 82nd Airborne Division. He then attended the Officer Candidate School and the Armor Officer Basic Course in 1988 before being assigned to the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division in Germany. During his tour there, Overberg patrolled the East German and Czechoslovakian borders and served as a Cavalry Troop Executive Officer during Operation Desert Storm. After three years as a cavalry officer, the Army transferred him to the Ordnance Corps. His first logistics assignment was to the 194th Separate Armored Brigade, Ft. Knox, KY, where he deployed to South Florida for recovery operations after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and to Haiti as the Logistics Support Team Commander for the multinational Caribbean Command Battalion during Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994. After a tour as a training advisor with the 218th Heavy Separate Brigade (South Carolina Army National Guard), Overberg attended the Command and General Staff Course, and then was assigned to Fort Bragg. While serving as the Support Operations Officer for the 530th Supply and Service Battalion (Airborne), he deployed to Uzbekistan in early November 2001. Overberg further deployed into Northern Afghanistan in January 2002 where he commanded Task Force MeS and supported the French and Jordanian Armed Forces and US Special Forces. In 2004, Overberg was assigned to the Army G-1 as the Executive Officer for the Director, Human Resources Policy and later as the Chief, Drug Testing Branch, Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs, where he was responsible for the Army’s military and civilian drug testing policy and programs. He retired on 1 November 2007. Overberg was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with five oak leaf clusters), the Valorous Unit Award, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and American and German Parachutist Badges. In March 2010, after 2 ½ years as the Deputy Director, Personnel and Administrative Support Center, Office of Disaster Assistance, US Small Business Administration, Overberg became the Deputy Chief, Army Retirement Services within the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1. In June 2016, Overberg was promoted to Director, Army Retirement Services. Working out of Arlington, VA, Overberg is responsible for all Army retirement services policy and oversight of the program’s delivery to Soldiers, Retired Soldiers, and surviving spouses of all three Army Components, as well as strategic level program communications. Overberg received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management from the University of Akron and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.
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Responses: 40
I misplaced my Guard RPAS statement. I have no idea/ don't remember my point balance. I can't do the calculator to decided which retirement is better for me. When I tried to estimate there was a statement that said those with 4300 points can not opt for the BRS? How do I find out what my points are or get another copy of my RPAS?
LTC Mark Overberg: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MOST SINCERELY WELCOME YOU TO RALLY POINT. It is quite an honor to have a man of your stature and caliber to join us here.
KUDOS, SIR, on being The Director of Army Retirement Services.
Most Respectfully, Lieutenant Colonel Overberg- Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
KUDOS, SIR, on being The Director of Army Retirement Services.
Most Respectfully, Lieutenant Colonel Overberg- Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
I learned one thing during my years in the military. If the government makes a big presentation to tell you how great something is, your getting screwed. If it's really good foe you, you have to find it out on your own.
LTC Mark Overberg
Perhaps you missed the big announcements that extended the Survivor Benefit Plan to all Active Duty members and those on IADT at no cost to the Service member, the creation of TRICARE for Life at no cost to the retiree, the creation of Combat Related Special Compensation and Concurrent Retired and Disability Pay, and the recent extension to all Veterans of access to shop online at all of the military Exchanges. There have been many good things done for Service members and Veterans. These are a few that included big presentations when they debuted, just like BRS. A big presentation doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Mark, I served for four years in the SCANRG from 1980-1984 and on active duty from 1985-1997; does this system impact me at all? If not, would it make sense to try to get a government job for four years and try to hit the 20 year mark?
LTC Mark Overberg
With 12 years active duty plus 4 years in the Guard you’ve got over 4320 retirement points, so you’re not eligible to opt in, but getting your last 4 years would be a great idea. You’ll appreciate the retirement benefits. The Guard and Reserves are growing, so now is the time.
The BRS is a suckers deal and however you want to paint the picture, its not going to make It a Picasso. And for the Gov’t to “give” you a bonus that’s taxed doesn’t make it a great deal either. So you’re saying 40% is a better deal than 50% retirement???? Open your eyes and stop feeding the bullshit to the younger generation.
LTC Mark Overberg
Of course 40% doesn’t beat 50%, MSgt Saucedo. But 40% isn’t all the member gets under BRS. There is also the TSP with matching contributions from the government (can be as much as 5% of base pay, so it’s like a free 5% pay raise) plus continuation pay between 8 and 12 years of service that can be invested in the TSP tax-free! Young civilians have been wisely investing in their 401k funds (similar to the TSP) for years. The disciplined ones are doing well and will have a great portfolio to live on in retirement, even without the annuity the military offers. Surely military members can be as disciplined and forward looking as their civilian counterparts. I have faith in our troops. Unless you can change the law, it’s best to adapt and overcome, like Marines always do. “There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.” — Richard Bach.
If it was better for the service member, you have to know these idiots in Congress would not be looking to make changes
LTC Mark Overberg Sir, I'm looking at joining the AGR system after Jan 1st. I have 12 years in service and close to 3000 retirement points. Will I, or can I be forced into the BRS?
LTC Mark Overberg
No one can or will be forced into the BRS. Service members must opt in through myPay if they want to change from the High 3 plan. The choice is up to you and you’ll have until DEC 31 to decide. Use the MyArmyBenefits Retirement Calculator to see if it makes financial sense to opt in or stay with the High 3.
This new system is BS. We need to get our senators and representatives to go back to the full military retirement system that my father had and I have. Write them now!
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