Section 16C - Military Pay, Allowances, and Entitlements Flashcards
(119 cards)
1
Q
Every member is entitled to basic pay while on active duty, with what exceptions?
A
Periods of unauthorized absence, excess leave or after an enlistment expires.
2
Q
Annual military pay raises are linked to what?
A
Salary increases in the private sector as measured by the employment cost index.
3
Q
Beginning in 2007, how are military pay raises determined?
A
They are automatically equal to the increase in the employment cost index, unless Congress authorizes and funds a higher raise.
4
Q
Basic pay is the fundamental component of military pay, governed by what two factors?
A
Grade and length of military service.
5
Q
Why is the accuracy of your military pay date important?
A
It determines your length of service for pay purposes.
6
Q
Under what circumstances could your pay date be earlier than the date you went on active duty?
A
If you previously served in certain governmental agencies or enlisted under the Delayed Enlistment Program before 1 January 1985. (The Air Force adjusts your pay date to credit these periods.)
7
Q
Under what circumstances could your pay date be later than the date you went on active duty, resulting in a negative pay date adjustment?
A
Periods of AWOL, desertion, or sickness or injury due to personal misconduct.
8
Q
What document shows your entitlements, deductions, allotments, leave information, tax-withholding and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) information?
A
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Form 702, Defense Finance and Accounting Service Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
9
Q
What system lets you view your Leave and Earning Statement (LES) and initiate changes to selected items affecting your pay?
A
The electronic myPay system.
10
Q
Monetary ____ cover specific needs not provided by the government.
A
Allowances.
11
Q
What are the most common monetary allowances?
A
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
12
Q
Most military allowances are not taxable. What is the exception?
A
CONUS Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA).
13
Q
Most junior grade enlisted members assigned to single-type government quarters at their Permanent Duty Station (PDS) are required to eat in government dining facilities. What do they receive?
A
A Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and the discounted meal rate is deducted from their pay.
14
Q
May members assigned to single-type government quarters at their Permanent Duty Station (PDS) claim reimbursement for missed mess?
A
Yes, when certified by the commanding officer or designee.
15
Q
What three factors determine housing allowances?
A
Members grade, dependency status and location. (The location determines whether the allowance is Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or OS Housing Allowance (OHA).)
16
Q
In some cases, members who are not able to take their families to the Permanent Duty Station (PDS) are eligible for payment of ____ allowance, in addition to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or OS Housing Allowance (OH).
A
Family Separation Housing (FSH) allowance.
17
Q
What is the intent of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?
A
To provide uniformed service members with accurate and equitable housing compensation when government quarters are not provided, based on costs in local civilian housing markets.
18
Q
How does Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) affect members living in privatized quarters?
A
Rent must equal the BAH entitlement, paid via allotment. (Some privatized housing contractors now accept less than full BAH as rent to eliminate vacant housing.)
19
Q
Members without dependents residing in government single-type quarters are entitled to partial Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), unless what condition applies?
A
The quarters, including government-leased quarters, exceed the minimum standards for single quarters for their grade.
20
Q
What type of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) may members living in single-type government quarters who pay court-ordered child support qualify for?
A
Basic Allowance for Housing Differential (BAH-DIFF).
21
Q
Members who receive an OS Housing Allowance (OHA) are reimbursed actual rental cost up to the maximum OHA rate for each locality and grade. Describe the two types of OHA.
A
1) Move-in Housing Allowance (MIHA), based on average “move-in” costs for members who qualify; and 2) monthly OHA, including a utility/recurring maintenance allowance.
22
Q
The Family Separation, Basic Allowance for Housing (FSH) compensates members for added ____ expenses resulting from enforced separation from dependents.
A
Housing.
23
Q
What are the two types of the Family Separation, Basic Allowance for Housing (FSH)?
A
FSH - Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) (FSH-B) and FSH-OS Housing Allowance (OHA) (FSH-O).
24
Q
Which Family Separation, Basic Allowance for Housing (FSH) is payable each month in an amount equal to the without-dependent Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for the member’s grade and Permanent Duty Station (PDS)?
A
FSH-B.
25
Family Separation, Basic Allowance for Housing (FSH)- ____ is payable in a monthly amount up to the without-dependent OS Housing Allowance (OHA) rate for the member's grade and Permanent Duty Station (PDS)
FSH-O.
26
Name the two types of Clothing Replacement Allowances (CRA).
CRA Basic and CRA Standard.
27
Which Clothing Replacement Allowances (CRA) is a preliminary replacement allowance paid annually starting in the sixth month of active duty service?
CRA Basic.
28
Clothing Replacement Allowances (CRA) Standard automatically replaces CRA Basic after ____ months of active duty service.
36 months.
29
Family Separation Allowance (FSA) is payable in addition to any other allowance or per diem to which a member may be entitled. (T/F)
True.
30
May a member receive more than one payment ofFamily Separation Allowance (FSA) for the same period if they also qualify for FSA-Restricted. (FSA-R) and FSA-Serving on a Ship (FSA-S) or FSA Temporary (FSA-T)?
No
31
The ____ pays qualified members for added expenses incurred because of an enforced family separation.
Family Separation Allowance (FSA). (It includes FSA-Restricted. (FSA-R) and FSA-Serving on a Ship (FSA-S) and FSA Temporary (FSA-T).)
32
What two OS-station allowances defray the higher-than-normal cost of living or procuring housing in certain OS locations?
1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA); and 2) cost-of-living allowance.
33
What allowance is available to members assigned to designated "high cost" areas within the CONUS?
CONUS Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA).
34
In addition to enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, name several examples f special and incentive pay.
Hazardous duty incentive pay, imminent danger pay, special duty assignment pay, enlisted flying duty incentive pay, and hardship duty pay location.
35
What are two general categories of payroll deductions?
Voluntary and involuntary.
36
All pay is considered income for federal and state income tax purposes. (T/F)
True. (This includes basic pay, special and incentive pays, accrued leave lump-sum pay and separation pay.)
37
Allowances considered nontaxable on 9 September ____ remain nontaxable.
1986. (For example, Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is nontaxable and CONUS Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) is taxable.)
38
List four involuntary payroll deductions.
1) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes; 2) Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW); 3) State Income Tax Withholding (SITW); and 4) Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH).
39
Which involuntary payroll deduction provides for national programs such as defense, community development and law enforcement?
Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW).
40
What determines whether a member must pay state taxes?
The tax laws of their state of legal residency.
41
What is the maximum monthly payroll deduction for the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) from a regular enlisted member?
$1. (This money helps support the US Soilders' and Airmen's Home and the Naval Home.)
42
Members may have up to six discretionary payroll allotments. Name several examples.
Repayment of home loans, automobile loans, debt-consolidation loans, personal savings programs, support of family members and insurance premiums.
43
Members may control certain discretionary allotments through myPay. (T/F)
True. (However, there can be only one discretionary allotment to the same allottee.)
44
What are allotments with limited use, such as charitable contributions, child or spousal support, garnishment for commercial debts and delinquent travel charge card debt called?
Nondiscretionary allotments.
45
How early should you sign up for a payroll allotment?
About 30 days before the desired start month. (If paid twice a month, allotments are deducted in two equal amounts.
46
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) automatically gives eligible members life insurance converge when performing active duty or active duty for training for an ordered period of more than ____ days.
30 days.
47
The maximum amount of Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage is $____.
$400,000. (Members are covered at the maximum rate unless they decline or reduce coverage.)
48
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) only covers military members. (T/F)
False. (Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) covers spouses, including military spouses, and dependent children when the members also participate in SGLI coverage.)
49
How must are the monthly deductions for Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) spousal and dependent coverage?
For spousal coverage, the deduct depends on the amount of coverage. Each child is covered for $10,000 at no cost to the member.
50
When are Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) andFamily Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) premiums deducted from a member's pay?
Each month.
51
When do members receive a New Pay Advice (NPA) statement of their net about pay and the financial organization to which it was sent?
Midmonth (if receiving a payment).
52
Members receive a comprehensive statement of pay, the ____, at the end of the month via myPay.
Leave and Earning Statement (LES).
53
What are the usual cutoff dates used to compute, prepare and transfer payroll funds?
Around the 6th of the month for mid-month payday and the 20th for end-of-month payday.
54
Local, partial and emergency partial payments are only authorized in ____ areas where on-base military banking facilities are not redly available.
OS. (Exceptions may be granted for members assigned to classified or contingency operations requiring local case or partial payments.)
55
Under what extenuating circumstances may a stateside member receive an emergency partial payment?
If the payment is deemed time-sensitive and required within 24 hours due to an unforeseen set of circumstances. The member's commander may authorize immediate cash payments (up to the amount of accrued entitlement to date) when deemed appropriate to the mission.
56
How can non-cash partial payments be made?
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). (It usually deposits into the member's financial institution within two to three business days.)
57
What are partial payments limited to?
The amount of pay and allowances the member has accrued to the date of the payment.
58
What do PCS advance payments provide members?
Funds to meet extraordinary expenses due to a government-ordered relocation, directly related to the PCS and not covered by other entitlements.
59
A PCS advance payment (less mandatory deductions and all known debts currently being deducted) is an advance of up to three months basic pay. Whose approval is required for A1Cs and below?
Their immediate commander's.
60
Which ranks require their immediate commander's approval if the payback period for a PCS advance payment exceeds 12 months or the amount requested is greater than one month's basic pay?
All members. (Repayment periods of greater than 12 months are only approved in cases of financial hardship.)
61
Name four PCS transportation allowances.
1) Government-procured; 2) use of Privately Owned Conveyance (POC); 3) personally-procured; and 4) mixed modes.
62
What mode of transportation should be used for all commercial air transportation of persons and property when air travel is funded by the US government?
Available US-certified air carriers.
63
When is use of a Privately Owned Conveyance (POC) (versus government conveyance or commercial carrier) authorized or approved as a transportation allowance?
If acceptable to the member and advantageous to the government, based on the facts in each case.
64
What is the flat per diem rate for members authorized Privately Owned Conveyance (POC) travel?
The standard CONUS rate for each PCS travel day between authorized points, up to the allowable travel time.
65
DoD policy mandates using the Commercial Travel Office (CTO) for all official travel requirements. What reimbursement restrictions apply when you purchase your own common carrier transportation for official travel?
If you personally procure transpiration, you may receive up to the amount authorized, not to excess the cost the government would have incurred based on the usual travel route and accommodations.
66
What regulation governs mixed mode transportation (when both government-procured and personally-procured modes are used)?
The Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR).
67
Who should you contact for specific travel guidance for both government - and personally-procured (mixed mode) transportation?
The local finance office.
68
When traveling with dependents by Privately Owned Vehicle (POV), members receive a(n) ____ plus flat rate per diem for the official distance dependents traveled.
Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT).
69
Name four PCS entitlements other than transportation allowances.
Any four of the following 1) dependent ravel; 2) dislocation allowance; 3) Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) and Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA); 4) shipment of Household Goods (HHG); 5) shipment of unaccompanied baggage; 6) shipment of Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) and 7) mobile home shipments.e
70
Does the Air Force help pay dependent expenses during a PCS?
Yes.
71
If dependents are restricted from an OS location, they must remain at the members last CONUS station. (T/F)
False. (They may move at government expense to any CONUS location designated by the member. Moves OCONUS requires special approval.)
72
A dislocation allowance is paid to all members with dependents (at a rate determined by SecDef) when dependents relocate their household goods in conjunction with a PCS. When is it paid to members without dependents?
When they are not assigned permanent government quarters upon arrival at the new Permanent Duty Station (PDS).
73
Explain the difference between the Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) and Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA).
TLE helps defray the cost of temporary lodging expenses associated with a PCS within the CONUS. TLA helps defray added living expenses while occupying temporary lodging for a PCS OCONUS.
74
What usually determines the authorized weight allowance for shipping Household Goods (HHG) at government expenses during a PCS move?
The grade of the member and whether he or she has dependents.
75
Members may be reimbursed for personally arranging shipment of Household Goods (HHG) for a PCS move. How is the government's cost limited?
It is based on the member's maximum HHG weight allowance.
76
What is the PCS weight allowance when shipping unaccompanied baggage via expedited commercial air?
A maximum of 1,000 points (net).
77
The Air Force may pay to ship one Privately Owned Vehicle (POC) at government expense when you're ordered to a PCS to, from or between locations OS. Is POV storage ever provided?
Yes (when shipment is prohibited or restricted).
78
Shipment of a mobile home is in lieu of Household Goods (HHG) transportation. (T/F)
True.
79
TDY entitlements include per diem, transportation and ____ reimbursable expenses.
Miscellaneous.
80
Which TDY entitlements help defray the cost of quarters, meals and incidentals?
Per diem.
81
What do TDY per diem rates cover?
They pay a set amount for meals and incidentals based on TDY location, plus actual lodging expenses (not to exceed maximum rates for the specific location). Rates depend on the availability of government facilities.
82
Uniformed service members must use available Commercial Travel Offices (CTO) to arrange ____ TDY travel.
Official.
83
What factor determines your TDY transportation entitlement?
The mode of transportation used between the points designated on your travel orders.
84
Can you receive authorization to travel TDY at personal expense?
Yes. (You will receive a reimbursement.)
85
What TDY travel reimbursement will you receive when you are authorized to drive a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) by the orders-issuing authority?
Mileage reimbursement.
86
Lodging taxes (US and possessions only), tips for baggage handling at airports, official telephone calls, taxis and car rentals (when authorized) are just a few examples of what kind of TDY entitlement?
Miscellaneous reimbursable expenses.
87
When a TDY is completed, what is required of the traveler to claim reimbursement for official travel expenses?
Electronically filing a voucher (Defense Travel System) or preparing a DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or subvoucher.
88
Who is responsible for the truth and accuracy of the information submitted with DD Form 1352-2?
The traveler. (The signature authority must never be delegated.)
89
You may wait for reimbursement before paying the travel card company for TDY expenses. (T/F)
False. (You are expected to pay the amount billed upon receipt of the monthly statement.)
90
A travel claim must be settled by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). When may supervisors authorize alternate methods of payment?
In limited situations where the traveler doesn't have access to an account at a financial institution that can receive EFT transmissions.
91
____ disbursement permits direct payment through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the travel card contractor for charges incurred on the travel card and to the cardholder for any residual amount.
Split-disbursement.
92
When TDY for 45 days or more, you should file an interim travel voucher every ___ days and use split disbursement to pay the bill on time.
30 days.
93
What program offers a safe, effective, convenient, commercially available method of paying expenses incident to official travel, including local travel?
The government travel card program.
94
Who manages the day-to-day operations of the DoD travel card program and works with the card contractor to maintain an u-to-date list of all current cardholders and accounts?
Agency Program Coordinators (APC). (They are appointed in writing and act on behalf of the unit commander.)
95
Unless otherwise exempted, who must use the travel charge card for all expenses arising from official government travel?
All DoD personnel.
96
What types of expenses should you use your government travel card to cover while traveling on official government business?
Lodging, meals, transportation expenses, local ground transportation, rental car expenses authorized on orders, and reasonable incidental travel expenses.
97
Should you obtain cash from authorized government travel through ATMs or through cash advances from a DoD disbursing officer?
ATMs.
98
When using the government travel card, do not obtain ATM cash advances more than three work days before your schedule travel. How is use of these advances limited?
To authorized expenses exempt from mandatory card usage (meals, incidentals, miscellaneous expense. etc.)
99
When using the government travel card, are the card contractor's fees for ATM usage or international transaction fees a reimbursable expense?
Yes. (Bank fees for ARM access are also reimbursable.)
100
What is the Air Force policy regarding misuse of the DoD travel card?
Cardholders who misuse their DoD travel cards are subject to appropriate administrative or disciplinary action.
101
Who must pay all outstanding balances in the credit card contractor's monthly billing statement in full?
The cardholder.
102
Military service members who travel TDY and use government credit cards must use the split disbursement feature to automatically pay the credit card vendor while on official travel. (T/F)
True. (Cardholders must designate the total outstanding balance incurred while traveling as split-disbursement when filing their vouchers.)
103
Government credit card contractors may charge a late fee per billing cycle for accounts that are ____ days past closing date of the account statement on which the charges first appeared.
75 days.
104
While in a PCS status, why must the cardholder notify the losing Agency Program Coordinator (APC) before departing the old duty station?
So the losing APC can 1) set a future date in the card company's Electronic Access System (EAS) to deactivate the cardholder's account based on the PCS travel order report no later than date; and 2) submit a transfer request to the card company so the individual is removed from the unit's reporting hierarchy level.
105
While in a PCS status, why must the cardholder notify the gaining Agency Program Coordinator (APC) upon reporting to the new duty station?
So the gaining APC can 1) ensure the transfer request is processed by the card company when the member arrives so the account information can be updated; and 2) clear the deactivation date within the card company's Electronic Access System (EAS).
106
As a government credit card holder, you are responsible for payment in full of the amount stated on the monthly billing statement. Your pay may be garnished for accounts over ____ days delinquent.
126 days. (Upon written request, the DoD may authorize payroll deductions for undisputed delinquencies.)
107
If garnishments aren't possible and the account is over ____ days delinquent, the government credit card contractor will charge off the account, report it to the credit bureaus and assign a third party collection agency.
210 days.
108
The Air Force can withhold your pay without your consent. (due process) for debts owed to the federal government or its instrumentalities, but they must notify you and give you a chance to repay the debt if it exceeds $100. What exceptions apply?
Due process need not be completed before starting collection action if 1) the individual's estimated date of separation is not sufficient to complete collection and the Air Force would be unlikely to collect the best; or 2) the collection action can be completed within two monthly pay periods.
109
Can the Air Force collect debts involving any federal agency, unserved portions of a reenlistment bonus or a family member's delinquent hospital bills?
Yes. (Also for excess shipment of HHG, loss or damage to government property, and erroneous payments made to or on behalf of the member by the Air Force.)
110
Name two ways a military member can request relief from valid debts to the federal government.
They may apply for a waiver or remission of the debt.
111
When are waivers for erroneous pay or allowances granted?
When there is no indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault or lack of good faith on the part of the member or any person with an interest in obtaining the waiver.
112
Who rules on all waivers of claims for erroneous payments of pay and allowances?
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). (The collection of the indebtedness must be started when filing.)
113
Who may apply for remission of an enlisted member's indebtedness to the US?
A Regular Air Force or separated member or his or her commander.
114
The Air Force may remit or cancel any debt due to non collection or court-martial forfeiture.
False.
115
What three factors are considered when the SecDef considers a request for remission of indebtedness?
1) the circumstances creating the debt; 2) the member's good faith; and 3) financial hardship.
116
What act established the US Air Force Uniformed Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for federal employees?
The Federal Employees' Retirement Act of 1986. (Participation in the plan for uniformed service members is authorized by law.)
117
What does the Air Force Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) offer?
Tex-deferred advantages similar to those of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) plan. (TSP contributions are taken out of pay before taxes are computed, reducing your individual tax obligation.)
118
When you contribute basic pay to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), up to 100% of special and incentive pays and bonuses may also be contributed. As of 2012, the maximum annual contribution became $____.
$17,000. (Amounts must be stated as a whole percent.)
119
What Airmen and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) service offers information, education and personal financial counseling to help individuals and families maintain financial stability and reach their financial goals?
The Personal Financial Readiness.
