Military Benefits

Comprehensive news and information from Navy Times about military benefits

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.

2 days 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.

12 days ago

Military Benefits

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.

New tool helps military parents with firearm storage, safety issues

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

4 weeks ago

Rates for Tricare premium plans on the rise again

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

5 weeks 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.

6 weeks 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.

7 weeks 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 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.

4 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.

4 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.

4 months ago

Pregnant women at Kadena Air Base in Japan facing tough decisions

A staffing shortage at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa means pregnant women at Kadena Air Base may have to fly home to deliver.

4 months ago

DoD pauses debt collection for retirees overpaid due to Navy error

“I’m sure DFAS is looking at the Navy like, what the hell did you do to us?," said one affected retiree.

5 months ago

New Tricare dental rates take effect

Increases went into effect May 1.

5 months ago

TriWest Healthcare’s $65 billion contract clears protest hurdle

The timeline for the new Tricare contracts to take effect is August 2024, for now.

6 months ago

MCPON: Sailors need speedier, easier access to counseling

Families don't have to get referrals for mental health telehealth. Why do service members?

7 months ago

Tricare now covers new costly insulin device for Type 1 diabetics

The new device makes it easier to manage Type 1 diabetes with constant monitoring, automatically adding needed insulin.

7 months ago