Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Requirements

Special Section: Back to School 2009

As the beginning distribution date for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits approaches, many service members may be looking to transfer benefits to their family member. The guidelines for who qualifies to transfer benefits, under what circumstances and when they may be used have been clearly defined. Those who qualify to transfer benefits may find it in their favor to determine eligibility and apply for the transfer as soon as possible to maximize its use.

Who can transfer benefits?
Any active duty member of the armed forces on or after Aug. 1, 2009 who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and:

• Has at least six years of service on date of transfer request and agrees to serve four more years.
• Has at least 10 years of service, is barred by policy or law from serving four more years, and agrees to serve as long as allowed.
• Is or becomes retirement-eligible from Aug. 1, 2009, through Aug. 1, 2012. That may be extended for one additional year.

Who can receive benefits?
Eligible service members may transfer some or all of their unused Post-9/11 BI Bill benefits, up to the maximum 36 months of benefits, to a spouse, to children or to a combination, as long as the recipient(s) are enrolled in Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) at the time of transfer.

Spouses may:

• Use benefits immediately, while the service member remains in uniform or up to 15 years after the member separates from active duty.
• Use benefits after divorce, if the member agrees.
• Not receive the monthly housing or book stipends while the member is serving on active duty.

Children may:

• Use benefits after the service members completes at least 10 years.
• Use benefits while the member remains in the military or separates from active duty.
• Receive monthly housing and book stipends while is the member is on active duty.
• Use benefits after getting married.
• Not use benefits until they obtain a secondary school diploma or equivalent or reach the age of 18.
• Not use benefits after age 26.

If you are retiring soon
For service members eligible to retire from Aug. 1, 2009, through Aug. 12, 2009, temporary rules will reduce the amount of additional time that must be served to share the benefits with family members, starting on the date their benefits transfer is approved.