§12524 Enrollment and Election of Benefits

Summary

When you first join the Ready Reserve, you are automatically signed up for the reserve insurance program unless you are in a category that is not allowed. You can cancel that automatic sign-up by telling the Secretary you decline within 60 days. If the program is started after you are already in the Ready Reserve, the Secretary will offer you a chance to enroll and you must sign up within 60 days or you will be treated as having declined. If you were ineligible while on active duty, you get the same 60-day chance to enroll after you leave active duty. Your monthly benefit will be the standard amount unless you choose a different level within 60 days of joining or being offered enrollment. If you decline the insurance when first offered, you cannot change your mind later. After you enroll, you cannot increase your coverage amount, but you may end your enrollment at any time. The Secretary must give you a written explanation of the program and your choices. Members on active duty or full-time National Guard duty cannot enroll, and the Secretary may exclude other groups. If someone moves from the Individual Ready Reserve to the Selected Reserve, they can buy the insurance unless they already refused it while in the Selected Reserve.