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| restrictions. They advise: (1) pets in cargo area or cabin must be in an approved hard-shell crate; (2) for cabin travel, the crate must be able to fit under the seat; (3) passengers accompanying pets must have the animals? health certificates and proof of rabies and other shots, depending on the final destination; (4) AMC carriers generally will accept only dogs and cats weighing less than 100 pounds including container weight, and (5) AMC sometimes will allow two pets to be shipped in the same crate provided their combined weight, with the weight of the container, is no greater than 70 pounds. Contact a local traffic management office for information on traveling with pets on military chartered aircraft. RATE OF CURRENCY CONVERSION: - Getting ready to travel overseas and wondering how the American dollar converts to foreign currency? You can check out the rate of exchange at either http://www.xe.net/currency or http://www.casto.com/resource/currency.cfm OLD SAVINGS BONDS – If you still have some of your WWII savings bonds, it?s possible they are no longer earning interest. Savings bonds have what is called an Interest-Bearing Life. After that, they no longer earn interest. For bonds bought between May 1941 and Nov 1965, their Interest-Bearing Life is 40 years. Meaning some bonds quit earning interest in 1981 and some will quite in 2005. For bonds bought between December 1965 and June 1980, their Interest-Bearing Life is 30 years. CHANGE OF VIETNAM ERA DATES – HR 4833 introduced in the House of Representatives that would change the dates in Title 38 USC for the Vietnam Era. From 28 February 1961 to 7 May 1975 for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam and the period 5 August 1964 to 7 May 1975 in all other cases to 28 February 1961 to 7 May 1975 in all cases. HEPATITIS C - Did you serve in Vietnam and treat the wounded or have a blood transfusion before 1992? Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood and its symptoms may not appear until 10 to 30 years after infection. The VA is therefore recommending that you get tested for Hepatitis C. They have appropriated $20 million for outreach, testing, counseling and treatment of veterans with Hepatitis C. HEPATITIS C – (Continued) REPORTING A DEATH - Many times when the death of a retiree or a spouse is reported to the appropriate service, |
or DFAS-CL, the need to notify Social Security is sometimes forgotten. This should also be done as soon as possible by calling 1-800-772-1213. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits by direct deposit, that bank or financial institution receiving the funds should be notified. Social Security funds received for the month the person died must be returned to Social Security. If funds were received by check, then the check received for the month of death should not be cashed, but returned to Social Security. A $255 one time burial allowance may also be payable to the surviving spouse and application should be made with the Social Security Administration. In addition, benefits may be payable to young children or the widow, especially if the surviving spouse was eligible to receive or receiving Social Security benefits based on the work record of the deceased. In addition to Social Security, the Department of Veterans may also have to be notified. Armed Forces News – The Free Weekly Newsletter for Armed Forces Personnel and Retirees MAX FACTS - If you would like to receive MAX FACTS, a periodic email publication with a wealth of retiree information, email your address to mailto:souleda@me-arng.ngb.army.mil. Information and comments contained in ?Max Facts? are the personal comments of Max J.Beilke, PERSCOM. They are not official, regulatory nor policy and do not state nor imply a Department of Defense, Department of Army, ODCSPER or Office of the Army Retirement Services, position, policy statement, or endorsement. ?Max Facts?are intended solely for information and personal interest of recipients. FEEDBACK ?I would like to continue receiving the Retiree Newsletter. I enjoy keeping current with guard news and activities and look forward to receiving your publication.? |