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NGAUS conducted its first-ever virtual seminar for retired association members Dec. 4, offering attendees counsel about the health care and other benefits available to them.
The seminar mainly focused on TRICARE, the U.S. military’s health care provider, and the PACT Act, a law that expanded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care and other benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances.
Retired Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Maureen Weigl, Pennsylvania’s deputy adjutant general — veterans affairs, was the keynote speaker.
Weigl is a sought-after expert on retiree and veterans’ benefits who spoke about many of the seminar’s topics during the Retiree Luncheon at the 146th General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit in August.
Retired Brig. Gen. Mike Oster of South Dakota — the NGAUS retired/separated-Army representative — and retired Brig. Gen. Bobbi Doorenbos of Arkansas, the secretary on the association’s board of directors, moderated the discussion.
Doorenbos previously served as the NGAUS retired/separated-Air representative.
Last week’s presentation introduced a planned series of virtual events catering to the association’s more than 13,000 retired members, the seminar’s speakers said.
"People often ask me what the No. 1 problem is facing veterans," Weigl said of the benefits available to service members before they retire. "The answer is awareness."
"Make sure your documentation is up to date," added Weigl, who retired in 2016. "The best thing to do is make sure everything is documented in these records."
Retired Maj. Gen. April Vogel of Maryland was announced as the association’s new retired/separated-Air representative during last week’s seminar.
About 155 people registered for the seminar, Oster said, with about 84 people attending.
Participants also learned about the NGAUS board meeting in November and details on the 147th General Conference & Exhibition in Milwaukee next August.
Seminar attendees should get PACT Act screenings every five years and educate themselves about the law’s details, Weigl said.
The PACT Act — which became law in 2022 — greatly expanded the health care and disability compensation available to current or former service members who were exposed to toxic substances during their military careers.
"You never know when you’ll get sick or when you’ll need it," Weigl said of PACT Act screenings. "I encourage you to do it — if not for you, then your spouse."
Weigl cautioned listeners to watch out for scams related to the PACT Act, which often target veterans.
Participants should also monitor how becoming eligible for Medicare at age 65 might impact their TRICARE and other health care benefits, Weigl added.
"I would do a cost comparison and see what works best for you," she said.
NGAUS hopes to conduct two virtual seminars for retired association members annually, Oster said, with the first occurring between April and May and the second happening in December.
Last week’s seminar also featured a Q&A portion, with participants asking Weigl about subjects such as benefits for their spouses and military paperwork.
Future topics for these seminars discussed during the first one included TRICARE, burials and long-term care facilities.
"Retirees are a huge source of institutional knowledge and thought generation," Doorenbos said.
A recording of last week’s seminar is available here.
A summary of the event is available here.
— By Mark Hensch
