Finance Q&A: separating, retirement information you need to know Published Sept. 10, 2010 87th Comptroller Squadron JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In this Q-and-A, the 87th Comptroller Squadron answers frequently asked question regarding retirement and separation pay. Q: If I am separating or retiring, what do I need for finance to out-process me? A: You need orders. The orders must be cut before we can sit with you one-on-one and give you a final overview of your entitlements and final pay. If you know your date of separation, e-mail finance@mcguire.af.mil to set up an appointment. In the e-mail, include your name, rank and projected final out date with the Military Personnel Element and we will schedule you within a few days. Appointments fill up quickly, so contact us 30 to 45 days prior to when you would like an appointment. If you plan to take terminal or permissive leave, you must complete the hard copy 988 forms and get them signed by your commander prior to your scheduled appointment. Make sure you verify your leave balance because your Leaveweb account may not be 100-percent accurate. This will ensure you use the correct dates on your forms. Q: What happens at my appointment? A: The first thing you will be asked for are your orders and leave forms so we can verify everything matches on your pay record. Next, we'll give you a brief overview of your final pay, to include any outstanding pay and allowances due, leave sell-back, separation or severance pay (if applicable), as well as any accrued clothing allowance. Also, we will brief you on how your final active-duty military pay will be direct-deposited to your account within three to five business days of your DOS. You will then re-certify your basic allowance for housing to verify you should receive the same rate until your DOS. Q: When it is close to the end of my monthly pay, why does my LES show zero pay? A: This is because your final pay check is manually processed through your local finance office. The zero on your LES is showing that DFAS is no longer making the payment directly. This is why you will not generally see your final pay on the 1st of the month as normal due to the different processing method at the local finance office. Q: How much is my leave sell-back? A: Leave sell-back is equal to the daily rate of your (base pay) X (number of days leave sell-back), which is subject to a 25-percent federal income tax. Also, based on your orders, you are authorized travel payment reimbursement to a designated location within a certain time frame. With normal separations you have 6 months from your DOS to file a final voucher. Retirees have up to a year from their DOS. This is for per diem and mileage and is separate from a do-it-yourself voucher filed through the Traffic Management Office. The current rates are $116 per diem for the member, 75 percent of that for dependents 12 and older and 50 percent for dependents under 12. The mileage rate is 16.5 cents a mile. You will be given a hard copy DD Form 1351-2 travel voucher at your appointment and the mailing address. If you have any specific questions, e-mail finance@mcguire.af.mil or visit during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The finance customer service hotline, 754-FUND, is also available.