Military Benefits

Comprehensive news and information from Air Force Times about military benefits

No more late-night alcohol sales at AAFES stores, starting Jan. 1

The move aims to help curb the number of suicides among service members.

2 weeks ago

More delays in improving the process for moving troops’ belongings

New information shows there are tens of thousands of service members and families who aren't satisfied with their moves.

3 weeks ago

Health Care

Open season is here for Tricare, dental and new child care accounts

Here's what you need to know about the open seasons for Tricare, dependent care spending accounts, and dental and vision plans.

Here are your new Tricare rates for 2024

Generally, if you paid out of pocket for Tricare this year, you'll be paying more in 2024.

7 weeks ago

Some Tricare, dental plans may cost more in 2024. Here’s what to know.

Open season, from Nov. 13 through Dec. 12, is the time to make changes to your Tricare coverage. Some costs may rise this year.

7 weeks ago

Having trouble making an appointment through Tricare? A fix is coming.

Contract changes won't come for at least another year, but officials are working on the problem now.

3 months ago

Military pay, benefits may be better than you think, report says

An analysis from the Congressional Budget Office says that troops and the public may be underestimating all of the compensation troops receive.

3 months ago

Dominique Hunter, the Military Breastfeeding Network active duty director, explains doula and breastfeeding options to new moms at a Womack Army Medical Center maternity fair at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in 2018.

Expectant service members lack support. Doulas could help.

Members of the military who are pregnant lack options when it comes to giving birth. That might be changing, but challenges persist.

3 months ago

Medical care, child care: How shutdown could affect military families

Inpatient care and acute and emergency outpatient care in DoD medical facilities would be immune from a shutdown.

3 months ago

New tool helps military parents with firearm storage, safety issues

'We really need to be focused on access to firearms' by young children.

4 months ago

Rates for Tricare premium plans on the rise again

Increase in rates for Tricare Young Adult Prime is especially stunning, one advocate says.

4 months ago

These genetic tests are now part of Tricare’s covered benefits

These preconception and prenatal screenings can help identify people at risk for having children with certain genetic conditions.

4 months ago

Protest of $65 billion Tricare West health contract goes to court

In light of the continuing legal challenges, the timing of the new Tricare contracts is unclear.

5 months ago

Here are the rules to get reimbursed for shipping a pet in 2024

DoD reimbursement for the costs of shipping a pet doesn't start until Jan. 1. In the meantime, military relief societies may be able to help.

6 months ago

DoD aims for more consistent support for special needs families

The policy aims to standardize the services provided to special needs families, but one advocate says it doesn't go far enough.

6 months ago

Pre-K for 4-year-olds to start in the fall at this DoD school in Japan

If the school system gets funding, DoDEA officials plan to start phasing in the pre-K program at more schools in the fall of 2024.

6 months ago

More families file claims against Navy for Hawaii water contamination

Another 1,002 people have filed claims seeking monetary damages related to current and future medical care due to the fuel-tainted water.

6 months ago

An airman counts cash for a customer’s withdrawal request as part of his immersion tour with the wing staff agency July 30, 2020, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

Lawmakers eyeing even more boosts to junior enlisted pay

Expect more conversation from House lawmakers in coming months about ways to bump up enlisted personnel paychecks.

7 months ago

Health officials reverse decision on pregnant women at Kadena Air Base

'It’s what we were hoping for, that the pregnant mothers would be able to deliver on Okinawa," said one advocate for Kadena families.

7 months ago