National Guard Association of
South Carolina
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Financial Support from the NGASC The NGASC Executive Council and staff would like to extend our gratitude to all military members, especially those in the SC Air and Army National Guard, for helping to protect us and the freedom we so deeply cherish. We remember September 11th. |
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITSSTATE PENSIONThe State House of Representatives adopted a budget proviso during the latter part of March 06. The proviso offered by Rep James Smith, Rep Harry Ott and Rep Dan Cooper was for the purpose of reinstating the SC National Guard Pension Retirement Fund to those members who joined the Guard after 1993. Under previous action of the General Assembly, the retirement fund was closed to all Guard Persons who entered the Guard after 1993. This provision will reinstate the pension fund. The fund will provide a monthly stipend of $50 to all Guard Members who have served 20 years in the SCNG or $100 to all Guard Members who have served 30 years in the SCNG. The measure now has to be approved by the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate. The finance committee began its debate on the budget the week of April 10, 2006. The Senate is expected to debate the appropriations bill the last week of April 06. You are requested to contact your State Representatives to encourage support of this bill. TRICARE BENEFITSNew TRICARE coverage for all members of the National Guard will be available on October 1, 2006. Please see the following link for more information: www.tricare.osd.mil/reserve/index.cfm On December 18, 2005 the Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. Contained within is a provision providing every member of the National Guard with access to TRICARE healthcare coverage on a cost-share basis. The categories are as follows: Group 1: Those members who have been called up to active duty for 90 days or more can participate in TRICARE Reserve Select. Those eligible under this category will pay 28% of the premium, with DoD paying the other 72%. (This category is the exact same category as found in last year’s bill nothing has changed). Group 2: Those members of the National Guard who are unemployed or cannot access healthcare coverage because their employer does not offer it can participate in TRICARE Standard. TRICARE Standard is fee-for service plan. Those eligible under this category will pay 50% of the premium, with DoD paying the other 50%. Group 3: Those members of the National Guard who are employed and are currently participating in their employer’s healthcare coverage but would like to participate in TRICARE instead of their employer’s healthcare plan can participate in TRICARE Standard. As stated above, TRICARE Standard is a fee for service plan. Those eligible under this category will pay 85% of the premium, with DoD paying the other 15%. Service on Title 10 is a requirement for those qualifying for Group 1 coverage. There is no Title 10 / Active Duty service requirement for Groups 2 and 3. Simply being a “traditional Guard member” qualifies a person for coverage under TRICARE Standard. At this time, the DoD has not released any numbers of money amounts associated with the premium costs of Groups 2 and 3. The DoD must complete work on premium amounts and implement this new program for Groups 2 & 3 by October 1, 2006. NO SC INCOME TAX ON NG PAY FOR ACTIVE OR RETIRED MEMBERSAccording to a national tax firm this equates to a 3% to 7% annual savings to the member contingent on income and tax bracket. Based on the assumption that a member earns a minimum of $2,000 per year from the National Guard that would equate to savings of $60.00 to $140.00 per year for the member. In reality, all NGASC members are able to pay their annual dues without any cost to them based on this benefit alone. I might add that most states pay income tax on their NG pay. Also, the membership dues are tax deductible because you are a member of a Professional Organization. We have had comments that all SCNG personnel were entitled to this benefit regardless of whether they participated as a member of NGASC or not. This is correct, however; we don’t want any of our existing benefits diminished or taken away as was the State Pension. This reinforces the thought process that we need to maintain strength in numbers. DISTINCTIVE NG LICENSE TAGThis is an attractive NG TAG that can be purchased by Active or Retired SCNG personnel at no additional cost. SCHOLARSHIPSSince inception of this program, NGASC has contributed over $750,000 for higher education of guardspersons or their dependents. The scholarship applications are sent out to the units during September of each calendar year with specific criteria as to form completion and mail in instructions. NGASC usually awards approximately 32 ($1,000 scholarships per year), with another 10 or 15 being awarded by individual persons or other entities. The winners are announced and receive their scholarship awards at a scholarship luncheon each year. TUITION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMMembers of the SC Army and Air National Guard are eligible to receive tuition assistance under this program. Details concerning assistance are available from local unit administrative offices or by calling the Education Officer at the Adjutant’s General’s office 803-806-4253. VA HOME LOANSCongress has extended the VA home loan through 2009. Initially, it was legislated for Reservist and National Guard personnel for seven years in 1992. Under new law, veterans will be able to get no-down payment loans of up to $417,000. VA-Guaranteed home loans are made by banks and mortgage companies to veterans, service members and reservists. A National Guard member has to have 6 or more years of service to be eligible. More information is available at http://www.homeloans.va.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000. FURNITURE DISCOUNTSThe discounts are available through Palmetto Furniture Company in Society Hill, South Carolina on Highway 15 & 401. Just show your NGASC membership card to receive 45% off the retail price on any items of furniture. Palmetto Furniture carries a large line of name brand furniture. Terms are cash or credit card. See brands of furniture and directions to Palmetto Furniture attached to this script as Appendix one (1). THEME PARK DISCOUNTSTheme park discounts at Carowinds are as follows: $6.00 per ticket on Saturday and Sunday and $10 discount per ticket Monday/Friday. Carowinds is open weekends only April 1 through June 4, then daily form June 5, to August 11, annually. Note: Schedule may vary, please contact NGASC for more information. COMMISSARY PRIVILEGESAccording to the Defense Commissary Agency, patrons enjoy saving ranging from 25 to 30 percent on their purchases. A typical family of four regularly shopping at the commissary can save about $2,000 per year. PX PRIVILEGESWe would not enjoy this benefit today without the collaborative efforts of our predecessors. ANNUAL CONFERENCEA regular annual conference of the association is held on such date and at such place as determined by the membership. Some of the activities occurring at the annual meeting are as follows: Friday Night: Usually a meal, beverages and dancing on Friday night are available to personnel attending the meeting. Saturday Morning: A business session is usually held on Saturday morning, with outstanding military and civilian speakers in attendance. Spouse’s Activity/Auxiliary Meeting: Some specific activity for spouses, including a Spouse’s Auxiliary Meeting scheduled while the Saturday morning business meeting is in session. Saturday Evening: A social hour, formal banquet and dance or entertainment are usually observed on Saturday evening. The Governor and other dignitaries, together with known military and civilian guests, usually participate in the activities. Personnel designated as the Outstanding Army and Air Guardsperson for the year are recognized and honored at the banquet. Distinguished service awards are also presented to recipients at this function. Sunday Morning: Following memorial/religious services conducted by the presiding Chaplain, the business session resumes. Report from various committees will be given, and the business session will adjourn following the election of new officers. NEWSLETTERA quarterly newsletter containing pertinent information is mailed to each member.
PRODUCTS OFFERED BY NGASCAnnuitiesFor more information on annuities see Appendix two (2) of this script. For a free no obligation consultation call NGASC at 1-803-254-8456 or 1-800-822-3235. Long Term Care InsuranceTo learn more about the # 1 Health Crisis in America, visit www.perryneese.com. Also, you can request more information by completing and submitting the form shown as Appendix three (3). If maintaining dignity and choice are important to you, your siblings, or your parents please call NGASC at 1-803-254-8456 or 1-800-822-3235 for a free no obligation consultation. This will provide you with enough information to make a prudent decision about you and your family’s future. After all, long-term care involves families, not an individual. Term Life Insurance (Over 13,000,000 paid out in claims)For more information on Term Life Insurance see Appendix four (4) of this script. To request a unit visit for the NGASC Benefits Presentation call NGASC at 1-803-254-8456 or 1-800-822-3235. NGASC has a goal of visiting each unit at least once per year and more often if needed. Cancer InsurancePlease call NGASC at the above listed number/s for more information. Outlook Vision PlanFor more information on the Outlook Vision Plan see Appendix five (5). ONGOING EFFORTS OF NGASC
AttentionWe want to make you aware of the fact that the National Guard Association’s Life Insurance Program, Long-Term Care Insurance Program, and the Annuities Program are the major sources for financing the everyday operational costs of the Association. They are also the funding source for the scholarships that the Association gives away each year. Without these programs, the NGASC would not be the effective office that it is today and that is why we are seeking your help. We are having a good year in the sale of new products, however; the number of terminations from our life insurance program equals or surpasses the number of enrollments. Much like in recruiting and retention, we want to do our best to retain those of you who are already members of this program. Here is what you, as a conscientious policyholder and family member, can do to help. The problem occurs when you, the soldier/airman and policyholder, initiate the ETS or Discharge Process. Also, the problem occurs when personnel are deployed, return from deployment, and have the 90-day R&R leave before returning to paid drill status. All we ask is that you, the policyholder, notify someone in the NGASC office at the beginning of the ETS, Discharge or the 90 day R&R Leave. Your assistance in this regard will be appreciated. |