SECNAVs Retiree Council Launches Benefits Web Site

Since 03-13-04

From NSL UPDATE 03-12-2004

From LIFELines Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The group that advises the Secretary of the Navy on emerging issues important to an ever-growing community of Navy and Marine Corps retirees debuted the Navy Marine Corps Retiree One-Stop Shop Web site in March. The Web site at www.lifelines.navy.mil/retireecouncil/ (Web-Master found link is dead 09-05-05) is designed to provide useful links on benefits, programs and related areas of interest for military retirees and their families, as well as those considering retirement.

"This site is something the Retiree Council members felt was really needed--one place where a military retiree or family members could go and find information and links to other useful sites," said Pam Nemfakos, quality of life policy analyst in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). "Not only are there links to a number of military sites, but also to sites such as the ones hosted by the Social Security Administration and the Library of Congress."

Web site visitors will also be able to access areas ranging from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Web site on pay matters, to the Department of Defense Survivor Benefit Plan Web site, to the TRICARE Web site for medical benefits information. The site also connects to "Shift Colors," the newsletter for Navy retirees, as well as the online version of "Semper Fidelis," the quarterly publication for maintaining the ‘Marine for Life’ bond between retired Marines, their family members, surviving spouses and the Marine Corps. Other topics include the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), the Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS), legislative issues, as well as links to Retired Activities Offices nation and worldwide.

The Retiree Council was established by the Secretary of the Navy to consider issues of significant importance to retired military personnel. It was also designed to facilitate interaction between the Secretary of the Navy and the Navy and Marine Corps retired community, and to participate in other aspects of the Retired Activities Program.

To meet these objectives, the council--consisting of 12 retired officers and 12 enlisted personnel--meets once a year, normally in April, to review the effectiveness of current retirement programs and policies. It makes recommendations on improvements to benefits, privileges, other assistance, quality of life, morale aspects of the retired community and any other matters relating to retired personnel. "The section on the Retiree Council contains information about current Council membership, how to apply to become a member of the Council, and the latest Retiree Council report to the Secretary of the Navy," said Nemfakos.

Developed and maintained by the LIFELines Services Network--the Department of the Navy’s official Quality of Life (QOL) services delivery system--the new Web site is the latest of dozens of QOL Web sites and knowledge management systems powered by the Department of Defense Information Technology Center.

C. Michael Garverick
Captain, U. S. Navy (Retired)
Executive Director
Naval Submarine League www.navalsubleague.com 
(703) 256-0891(V) - (703) 642-5815 (FAX)