Army Benefits Center - Civilian

Home
United States
Fort Riley, KS
Army Benefits Center - Civilian

Welcome to the official page of the Army Benefits Center - Civilian. The Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) is located at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

As part of the Army's Civilian Human Resources Agency, the ABC-C has been providing benefits advisory and processing services to federal civilians worldwide since 1999. As part of the Army's Civilian Human Resources Agency, ABC-C has been providing benefits advisory and processing services to customers worldwide since 1999. We have increased our footprint across the Department of Defense by includ

ing the Department of Defense Education Activity, Defense Health Agency and others. We provide benefits support to Army-serviced appropriated fund employees through the GRB Platform and trained Benefits Specialists. If you are looking for more information about Army Benefits Center-Civilian please visit https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc

08/01/2026

Attention Army Federal Civilians: Please note a correction to our previous sunset announcement. This page will remain active for posting and 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (not July 30, as previously stated).

We will continue posting updates here for one more week before archiving and permanently closing the account in compliance with Army Directive 2026-17.

🛡️ 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀!
While this social media page is shutting down, our team is still here to support you. You can easily access benefits support and reach our specialists through our primary channels:

💻 Website & FAQs: Find quick, immediate answers and submit "ServiceNow" benefits tickets 24/7 at abc.chra.army.mil/abc.

📞 Phone Center: Call (877) 276-9287 or (571) 644-6041. Specialists are available Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Central).

📌 Stay Connected
Please bookmark and follow our official channels to keep receiving updates:

CHRA page (Consolidated): facebook.com/CHRAOfficial

𝗔𝗕𝗖-𝗖 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹: 𝗮𝗯𝗰.𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗮.𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘆.𝗺𝗶𝗹/𝗮𝗯𝗰

ABC-C Newsletters: go.mil/abc-c_newsletters

Thank you for your service and for staying connected with us through our consolidated channels! 🇺🇸

07/31/2026

📢 Federal Civilians: July Wrap-Up & Important Updates! 📢
As we wrap up the month of July, we hope you’re feeling more Retirement Ready! Throughout the month, we’ve covered the ins and outs of applying for retirement, navigating the process of Military Service Deposits or commonly called buy back, and sticking to key timelines.

Ready to retire, you can request access to your Online Retirement Application (ORA) for both a voluntary and a disability retirement through GRB.

💻 Where to Find Us & Stay Supported:
👉Official Web Portals: Explore a wealth of information on the ABC-C Website and access your CAC-enabled resources via the SharePoint Portal.

👉GRB Platform: Log into the CAC-enabled Government Retirement & Benefits (GRB) Platform to check your resources and process updates.

📅 Upcoming August ABC-C Webinars
Looking ahead to next month? Mark your calendars for these upcoming virtual sessions to keep your retirement planning on track!
Aug 4 @ 10:00 a.m. CT | Online Retirement Application (ORA)
Aug 11 @ 7:00 a.m. CT | CSRS Pre-Retirement
Aug 18 @ 9:00 a.m. CT | DHA Federal Employees FERS Pre-Retirement
(Registration required in CHRTAS | Code: 1HARFERS)
Aug 26 @ 4:00 p.m. CT | DoWEA Federal Employees FERS Pre-Retirement
Aug 27 @ 11:00 a.m. CT | Employee Benefits Virtual Café: GRB Overview
(Visit our website to register and find access details!)

📞 Need Direct Support?
Our Benefits Specialists are here to assist you
Phone: (877) 276-9287 / (571) 644-6041
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central Time

📌 Don't forget to bookmark our homepage [https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc] today so you stay connected!
Department of War Education Activity (DOWEA) Defense Health Agency

07/28/2026

🛡️ Does your family know who to call if the unthinkable happens? Let's make sure the answer is a confident "Yes!"

For federal civilians, taking 5 minutes today to share a simple "what-to-do" checklist with your loved ones can provide incredible peace of mind tomorrow.

Here is a reminder to save or share directly with your family:

📌 Who to Call First?
📞 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲: The supervisor. They will start the process.
Once we are notified, a dedicated ABC-C Benefits Specialist will reach out to the family of an active employee to personally assist with all survivor benefit claims.

📞 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲: Family members should contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) directly at (888) 767-6738.

📋 What Support is Available? (Depending on Eligibility)

🛡️ FEGLI Life Insurance: Payouts based on your coverage.

💰 Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Account balance distribution.

💵 Unpaid Compensation: Final pay and unused annual leave.

📉 Survivor Annuity & FERS Benefits: Monthly recurring payments and potential Basic Employee Death Benefits.

💬 Take Action Today: Drop a 👍 in the comments if you’ve already shared this plan with your household, or tag a fellow federal civilian who needs to see this reminder!

07/27/2026

💡Quick Retirement Tip:

When requesting ORA access, be sure to select the correct retirement type from the dropdown menu (e.g., Voluntary or Disability). This ensures your request is routed correctly from the start. For any Voluntary retirement, VERA, MRA+10, or SRC, you must be within 6 months of your retirement date.

07/24/2026

Keeping Army-serviced federal civilians informed

If you are a Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employee thinking about your next chapter, you might be wondering about the differences between a Regular Voluntary Retirement and a Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) offer.

Understanding these options is crucial for your long-term financial security. Let's break down the key differences so you can make the best choice for your career and family!

🏢 Regular Voluntary (Immediate) Retirement
This is the standard path to retirement when you hit the traditional milestones.

Age & Service Requirements: You can retire at Age 62 with 5 years of service, Age 60 with 20 years, or at your Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) with 30 years.

There is no age-based reduction to your pension (unless you are retiring under the specific MRA+10 rules).

FERS Annuity Supplement starts immediately if you retire at MRA with 30 years or Age 60 with 20 years.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): You can take penalty-free withdrawals if you separate from federal service in or after the calendar year you turn age 55. This is known as the "Rule of 55," which allows penalty-free access to your TSP funds without needing to wait until age 59½.

Health Benefits (FEHB): You must be enrolled in the program for the 5 years immediately prior to retirement to carry your coverage into retirement.

🚀 Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA)
VERA is a special tool agencies use to restructure, allowing you to retire earlier than normal if you receive an offer (note: this is not always an offered or available option).

Age & Service Requirements: You can retire as early as Age 50 with 20 years of service, or at ANY age with 25 years of service.

Great news! There is NO age-based reduction. Your pension is calculated normally based on your current high-3 average salary and years of service.

If you retire under VERA before your MRA, your supplement does not start until you actually reach your MRA.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): ⚠️ Warning! You may face a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you retire before the year you turn 55 (unless utilizing specific IRS exceptions to access the funds).

Health Benefits (FEHB): The standard 5-year requirement generally applies, but the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) often grants a pre-approved waiver for employees retiring under a VERA.

(Note: MRA = Minimum Retirement Age, which is typically 55 to 57 depending on your birth year).

💡 Key Takeaways for Your Wallet
While VERA offers an amazing opportunity to retire earlier without an age penalty on your base pension, the delay in the FERS Supplement and potential TSP early-withdrawal penalties mean you need a solid financial bridge.

📌 You will need to carefully plan how to cover your income gap until you reach your MRA or age 59½.

Before making a final decision, consult with an ABC-C Benefits Specialist and coordinate with a qualified financial planner

07/23/2026

UPDATED:First and foremost, thank you to all of our incredible followers. Your engagement, questions, and support on this platform have been invaluable. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have connected with you here.

As a reminder, in compliance with Army Directive 2026-17 (streamlining and consolidating our official social media footprint), this account will be permanently archived and closed. (no later than August 7, 2026).

🛡️ We Are Still Here to Serve You!
Although this specific social media page is sunsetting, our team remains fully dedicated to supporting your benefits and civilian human resources needs. You can reach us directly through the following channels:

💻 Website & FAQs: Find quick, self-service answers to your benefits questions at abc.chra.army.mil/abc.

🎫 24/7 Support: Submit a secure "ServiceNow" benefits inquiry ticket anytime via our website.

📞 Phone Center: Speak directly with an ABC-C Benefits Specialist.

Numbers: (877) 276-9287 | (571) 644-6041

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Central Time)

📌 Stay Connected with CHRA and ABC-C
Please bookmark and follow our official Consolidated CHRA page and resource sites to keep receiving critical updates, newsletters, and benefits information:

🔗ABC-C Home Portal: abc.chra.army.mil/abc

🪪 CAC-enabled SharePoint site: https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/CHRA-ABCC

📰ABC-C Newsletters: go.mil/abc-c_newsletters

🌴ABC-C Pre-Retirement webinar series: https://go.mil/abc_c_preretirementbenefitsoverview

☕ABC-C Virtual Employee Benefits Cafe' webinar series: https://go.mil/ABC_C_EmployeeVirtualCafe

Thank you for your service, your dedication, and for being a valued part of our online community! 🇺🇸

07/21/2026

Federal Civilians: Are you planning your retirement based on what you think the rules are, or what they actually are? 🛑

Transitioning from federal service is a huge milestone, but falling for common myths can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. Let’s clear up four of the biggest federal retirement misconceptions! 👇

🛑 Myth 1: "My pension starts instantly once I retire."
The Reality: There is almost always a gap between your final paycheck and your first full annuity payment.
The Details: While the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) processes your final paperwork, you will be put on "interim payments." These are usually only a fraction (often 60-80%) of your estimated net annuity, and this interim phase can last several months.
💡 Action Item: Build an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of living expenses to comfortably bridge the gap.

🛑 Myth 2: "My FEGLI life insurance premiums will stay the same."
The Reality: Your Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) premiums are not permanently locked in.
The Details: If you carry Option B or Option C, premiums increase based on age brackets, getting significantly more expensive in your 50s and 60s. At retirement, you must also choose whether to keep a 75% reduction, a 50% reduction, or No Reduction for your Basic coverage, which heavily impacts your monthly cost.
💡 Action Item: Review your FEGLI age-band costs 5 years out to decide if it makes sense to keep it, reduce it, or shop for private term life insurance.

🛑 Myth 3: "I can start my military buy-back when I submit my retirement package."
The Reality: If you wait until you start the actual retirement process, it is too late.
The Details: To have your active-duty military service count toward your civilian pension, your military deposit must be paid in full to your employing agency BEFORE you officially retire. The administrative process of getting your estimated earnings and setting up the payment plan takes time.
💡 Action Item: Contact your HR office today if you have military time to buy back. Do not leave this for your final year!

🛑 Myth 4: "My spouse will always keep their FEHB coverage."
The Reality: This is the most dangerous myth! Your spouse's health insurance is not guaranteed if you pass away.
The Details: If you predecease your spouse in retirement, they can only keep Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) if you elected to provide them with a Survivor Annuity (even a partial one) when you retired. If you choose "no survivor benefit" to maximize your monthly payout, your spouse will lose their FEHB eligibility upon your death.
💡 Action Item: Always factor the cost of the Survivor Annuity into your retirement plan if your spouse relies on your federal healthcare.

Retirement should be a reward, not a puzzle! 🧩

Which of these rules surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts or federal retirement questions in the comments below! 💬👇

07/18/2026

❓ FAQ: Can I estimate the cost to buy back my military time before applying?

Yes, you absolutely can! If you are considering buying back your active-duty military service time to boost your federal civilian retirement but want to know the bottom line first, check out the Military Buy Back Estimator.

By answering a few simple questions, this online self-service tool provides a quick estimate of your military earnings and the projected cost of buying back your service time. 💡

👉 Try the Estimator here:
https://lt-apps-pub.csd.disa.mil/smartwizard/mbbee/consent

👉 Learn more about the Defense Finance and Accounting Service - DFAS process: https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/militaryservice/militaryservicedeposits/

Share this tool with fellow veterans in federal service! 🇺🇸

07/17/2026

💡Did You Know? Your military service deposit must be paid in full before you retire for those years to be credited toward your annuity. Don't wait until the last minute! Start the process as early as possible in your career.

07/16/2026

Thinking about retirement? 🏕️ Your financial future is in YOUR hands! Let's decode the important choices you'll make on your FERS retirement application.

When you fill out your Online Retirement Application (ORA) on the OPM website, you're not just submiting a form; you're making critical decisions that will last a lifetime. (note: for active employees you must first request access to ORA) Here are the key choices you'll face:

👉Your Annuity election – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲!
This section determines how your pension is paid out. It's a trade-off between a higher monthly payment for you and providing for your spouse after you're gone.

Option 1: Reduced Annuity with MAXIMUM Survivor Benefit 💑

You receive a slightly smaller pension (reduced by 10%), but your spouse gets the largest possible monthly payment (50% of your unreduced pension) for the rest of their life. This is the default for married employees.

Option 2: Reduced Annuity with PARTIAL Survivor Benefit 🤝

You take a smaller reduction to your pension (5%), and your spouse receives a smaller monthly payment (25% of your unreduced pension). This requires your spouse's written, notarized consent.

Option 3: Annuity for YOUR Lifetime ONLY 👤

You get the highest possible monthly pension, but all payments STOP when you pass away.

⚠️ MAJOR WARNING: Choosing this option means that if you pass away first, your spouse will NOT receive a monthly pension payment AND will lose their Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage. This requires your spouse's written, notarized consent.

Other Options: You can also elect benefits for a former spouse (usually determined by a court order) or a person with an "insurable interest."

👉Military Service 🎖️
Did you serve in the military? You have a choice to make!

"Buying Back" Your Time: To get credit for most active duty military service performed after 1956, you must make a deposit to "buy back" that time.

DEADLINE: This deposit MUST be paid completely before you retire. You cannot pay it after you separate from service. Decide early if this is the right financial move for you!

👉 Insurance 🏥🦷
You'll confirm your eligibility to continue your hard-earned benefits into retirement. To keep your Federal health (FEHB) and life insurance (FEGLI) in retirement, you generally must have been enrolled for the 5 years immediately preceding your retirement.

Retirement is a huge milestone. Understanding these choices that you can find on the SF 3107 helps you take control of your financial journey.

For more information search 'Retirement' on the ABC-C website: https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc

Address

305 Marshall Avenue
Fort Riley, KS
66442

Website

https://abc.chra.army.mil/abc

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Army Benefits Center - Civilian posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Army Benefits Center - Civilian:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Fort Riley?