Marines


Military Compensation FAQs

Seal with USMC eagle globe and anchor in the center with the words People Process Purpose around the center, with the top banner that states "Manpower Plans & Policy, and the bottom banner that states "Manpower & Reserve Affairs".
Manpower Military Policy Branch (MPO)
Quantico, Virginia
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Expand List item 7318Collapse List item 7318  What changes are being made to the BRS Continuation Pay program?

The multiplier for CY2023 Continuation Pay will double from 2.5 to 5.0 for the Active Component (AC) and Active Reserve (AR). The multiplier will double from .5 to 1.0 for the Selected Reserve (non-AR)

Expand List item 7281Collapse List item 7281  Who does the increase in multipliers of Continuation Pay apply to?

The multipliers for CY2023 Continuation Pay apply to Marines covered by BRS who will reach 12 years of service during calendar year 2023. Marines of the active component, active reserve, and Select Reserve (non-AR).

Expand List item 7282Collapse List item 7282  When can eligible Marines apply for the Continuation Pay?

Eligible Marines can accept or decline the offer of Continuation Pay no earlier than 11 years and zero days of service and no later than the day prior to reaching 12 years and zero days of service as determined by their pay entry base date.

Expand List item 7283Collapse List item 7283  How does an eligible Marine apply for the Continuation Pay?

Eligible Marines complete NAVMC 11905 for active component and NAVMC 11908 for active reserve and Select Reserve (non-AR). The form must have a witness signature and be submitted to their local personnel admin center via EPAR in Marine Online before 12 years and zero days of service.

Expand List item 7284Collapse List item 7284  Is there training available for Marines who want to learn about their options for Continuation Pay?

Yes, Eligible Marines are encouraged to make a Continuation Pay (CP) election after having completed CP Financial Awareness Training and no later than three (3) months prior to the beginning of their 12th year of service. The preferred method to complete training is via the Marine’s installation Personal Financial Manager (PFM). PFMs offer in-person and virtual training options. Marines whose permanent duty status (PDS) is not located near a Marine Corps installation should contact a PFM closest to their PDS. PFM contact information is at Personal Financial Management (mccs.org).

Expand List item 7285Collapse List item 7285  Why is the Marine Corps increasing the multipliers of Continuation Pay in CY2023?

The take rates of Continuation Pay (CP) in past years have been lower than is required to sustain our mid-career retention requirements. The 2.5 multiplier for active component and active reserves was deemed to be insufficient to entice eligible Marines to accept the offer in exchange for a four-year additional service commitment. Our Retention Planners within MPP-20 and MPP-30 coordinate with their counterparts across HQMC (i.e. TFSD, MM Div, ect...) to ensure the Marine Corps is retaining the right Marines; which will influence any changes to the BRS CP multiplier. 

Expand List item 7286Collapse List item 7286  Will the change in multipliers for CY2023 Continuation Pay apply to Marines who were already paid Continuation Pay in prior years?

No, the increased multipliers only apply to Marines who are covered by the Blended Retirement System and reach 12 years of service during CY2023.

Expand List item 7287Collapse List item 7287  What is the typical dollar amount of Continuation Pay with this new multiplier in CY2023?

AC / AR Marine (E-6) is ~$20K and O-4 is ~$40K. SelRes (non-AR) (E-6) is ~$4K and O-4 is ~$8K.

Expand List item 7288Collapse List item 7288  Does accepting Continuation Pay affect my future retirement pay?

No, accepting Continuation Pay does not cause a change in the dollar amount or timing of retired annuity pay the Marine would receive should he or she qualify for retired pay reduce the retired pay of future retirement pay.

Expand List item 7277Collapse List item 7277  Does accepting Continuation Pay affect my future ability to elect a lump sum payment of my retirement pay?

No, in addition to your Continuation Pay payment, your participation in the Blended Retirement System also allows a Marine to receive a lump sum of either 25% or 50% of the value of your future retirement pay from the date of retirement from the Marine Corps to the date the retiree turns age 67.

Expand List item 7278Collapse List item 7278  Can I receive Continuation Pay while in the active component or active reserve and then transition to the SelRes (non-AR) while still under the additional obligated service that comes with accepting the offer of Continuation Pay.

No, any additional service obligation incurred as a result of electing to receive Continuation Pay must served in the component in which the Marine was serving at the time of agreement.

Expand List item 7279Collapse List item 7279  When does payment occur for those who accept the offer of Continuation Pay?

The effective date of payment of Continuation Pay (CP) will be at 12 years and zero days of service (YOS). The goal is to disburse payment within 30 days of completing 12 YOS. CP is payable as a single payment or as two, three or four equal installments, paid on the anniversary of the first payment. The payment option is irrevocable after receiving payment and after reaching 12 YOS. Once the Marine has elected to receive CP, and entry is reported to Marine Corps Total Force System, payment amounts, status updates, and obligated service dates may be found by visiting Marine Online (MOL). In MOL, navigate to Personal Information, BRS/TSP Report, and BRS-CP.

Expand List item 7280Collapse List item 7280  What happens in the event a Marine is unable to complete the four years of Continuation Pay (CP) obligated service in the component in which they received payment of CP?

A Marine who receive payment of CP and do not fulfill their additional obligated service in the component in which the Marine is serving at the time of the agreement are subject to recoupment of the unearned portion of the payment. That is, an AC Marine must complete 4 years of obligated service in the AC, an AR Marine must complete 4 years of obligated service in the AR, and a Selected Reserve (non-AR) Marine (i.e., IMA, SMCR), must complete 4 years of obligated service in the Selected Reserve (i.e., IMA, SMCR).

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Expand List item 7292Collapse List item 7292  What is the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA)? 

The BNA is a monthly allowance for active-duty Sailors with dependents whose gross household income from the previous calendar year falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size and duty station location for same year.

Expand List item 7294Collapse List item 7294  What change occurred on 1 July 2023 that affected BNA?

DoDI 1341.15 Change 1 became effective on 1 July 2023. The federal poverty guidelines threshold was raised to 150% from 130% under previous policy to be in accordance with law changes brought forth by the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.

Expand List item 7295Collapse List item 7295  How do I know if I qualify for BNA?

All Marines and Sailors (assigned to a Marine Command) will be screened monthly via MCTFS to determine potential eligibility. If found to be potentially eligible, Sailors will be notified by their chain of command and may apply for BNA. Final determination of eligibility is made by the owning unit Commander.

Expand List item 7296Collapse List item 7296  Can I apply for BNA even though my command has not been informed by HQMC via Marine Online (MOL) that I screened as potentially eligible and/or I have not been officially notified by my chain of command?

Yes, anyone can apply for BNA. However, applications cannot be properly completed (or adjudicated by the owning command) without publication of the federal poverty guidelines for the current calendar year. 

Expand List item 7297Collapse List item 7297  If I am receiving BNA and gain a dependent, how do I ensure my BNA payment considers my new household size?

Marines and Sailors are responsible for ensuring that DEERS is up to date as well as their Record of Emergency Data (RED) and dependents have been added within MCTFS. If a dependent is not listed in DEERS, the dependent is not considered a dependent for purposes of BNA.

Expand List item 7298Collapse List item 7298  If I am certified as eligible for BNA, when do I get paid?

Marines and Sailors will be paid monthly one their application has been certified by the supporting Installation Personnel Administrative Center (IPAC). The start period for payments is the date of certification by the IPAC.

Expand List item 7299Collapse List item 7299  Why is my BNA payment considered taxable income?

It was determined by the Office of the Secretary of Defense that BNA is taxable income in line with statute (26 U.S.C. 61).

Expand List item 7300Collapse List item 7300  What types of income are excluded when calculating gross household income?

The glossary of DoDI 1341.15 – Basic Needs Allowance policy, defines gross household income (GHI) and specifies all the exceptions that are not included in GHI.

Expand List item 7301Collapse List item 7301  If I am certified for BNA and my spouse loses their job, why does my BNA payment not increase?

BNA payments are calculated based on current year FPG and the member’s previous year GHI. A decrease in current income won’t increase current BNA payment amount.

Expand List item 7293Collapse List item 7293  Why can’t I receive BNA until I am complete with initial entry training (IET)?

DoDI 1341.15 specifies that Service members must be complete with IET to be eligible for BNA. IET is complete upon arrival at your first Permanent Duty Station (PDS) after you depart your final training location, regardless of the scheduled duration of the training locations.

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Expand List item 7236Collapse List item 7236  Who is the POC for enlistment bonus (EB) questions?

The EB Program Manager can assist with any EB reconciliations or questions.

Retention (MMEA-1)

Expand List item 7237Collapse List item 7237  Who is the POC for Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) questions?
Expand List item 7238Collapse List item 7238  Am I eligible / when can I request Judge Advocate Continuation Pay (JACP)?