Armed Forces Retirement Home

Regular Air Force: Active Duty

Benefit Fact Sheet

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Summary

The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) is an independent Agency in the Executive branch of the U.S. Government. The AFRH provides residences and related services for certain retired and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces (24 US Code 10, Subchapter 411). The AFRH currently has two campuses in Gulfport, MS (AFRH-G) and Washington, DC (AFRH-W).

Eligibility

Air Force Service members may be eligible to become residents of AFRH who served as members of the Armed Forces, and at least one-half of their service was not in the commissioned service (other than as a warrant officer or limited-duty officer):

  • Service members who are eligible for retired pay under chapter 1223 of Title 10; and were discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after 20 or more years of active service

  • Service members who are determined under rules prescribed by the Chief Operating Officer to be incapable of earning a livelihood because of a service-connected disability incurred in the line of duty in the Armed Forces

  • Service members who served in a war theater during a time of war declared by Congress or were eligible for hostile fire special pay and were discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions; and are determined under rules prescribed by the Chief Operating Officer to be incapable of earning a livelihood because of injuries, disease, or disability

  • Female service members who served in a women's component of the Armed Forces before June 12, 1948; and are determined under rules prescribed by the Chief Operating Officer to be eligible for admission because of compelling personal circumstances.

Persons ineligible to be residents:

  • A person who has been convicted of a felony or is not free of drug, alcohol, or psychiatric problems shall be ineligible to become a resident of the Retirement Home.

Married couples are welcome, but both must be eligible in their own right.

At the time of admission, applicants must be able to live independently. For example, they must be able to take care of their own personal needs, attend a central dining facility for meals and keep all medical appointments. If increased health care is needed after being admitted, assisted living and long term care are available at both campuses.

AFRH Prioritization Plan when maximum capacity has been achieved: 24 USC, Title 10, Section 4l2(d) mandates that the AFRH COO shall establish a system of priorities for the acceptance of Residents so that the most deserving approved applicant will be accepted whenever the number of eligible approved applicants is greater than the AFRH can accommodate.

For more information regarding eligibility, services, amenities, or the application process, please contact one of the AFRH Representatives at 1-800-422-9988 EXT 1 or admissions@afrh.gov

Benefit Highlights

Basics: The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) provides an affordable home for America's heroes. The facility provides a continuum of care including outpatient dental and medical services, hospital and long term nursing care, three meals a day and privateArmed Forces Retirement Home  Gulfport, Mississippi rooms, extensive recreational facilities - including a state of the art gym, artists' studios, swimming pool and a wood working shop. The Home guarantees its retired Enlisted and Warrant Officer men and women a caring and secure home. There are two campuses - one located in Gulfport, Mississippi and one in Washington, D.C. - which provide services and amenities such as a bank, a barber and a beauty shop, bowling areas, movie theater, a computer room and library. For the retired service members that meet the eligibility requirements, there are no initiation or registration fees, and the monthly user fees are affordable.

 Resident Benefits: Resident fees cover the service member’s room, three meals a day, 24-hour security, religious services and onsiteArmed Forces Retirement Home Washington DC recreational activities (e.g., bowling, golf, hobby shops, entertainment, etc.). Also, service members will receive basic dental care plus access to licensed specialists in optometry, podiatry, mental health, internal medicine and diabetic care.

What's Not Included: Clothing, toiletries, dry cleaning, haircuts and other personal items are at the service member’s own expense.

Resident Fees: Service member’s monthly fee is a percentage of the service member’s total income, not to exceed a pre-set maximum. On an annual basis, resident fees are recomputed and "maximum monthly fees" are adjusted for inflation.

Resident Fees for Armed Forces Retirement Home as of January 1, 2024, are as follows:

Resident Fees
Level of Care Percentage of Gross Income for Calendar year Fees for calendar year 2024 - New residents - Fees will not exceed per month
Independent Living (IL) 46.7% $2,363
Independent Living Plus (ILP) 50% $2,694
Assisted Living (AL) 63% $5,618
Long Term Care (LTC) 70% $7,891
Memory Support (MS) 70% $7,974

Note: Fees are computed annually and adjusted for inflation each January. The AFRH Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is based on military retirement pay COLA. Fees are computed using the most recently filed tax forms.

Spouse Fees 

  • Dual-eligible veteran spouses will pay resident fees based on their individual incomes according to the table above for each person. If a couple chooses to share an apartment they will receive a 15% discount off of the monthly resident fee.

  • Beneficiary spouses will also pay fees based on a percentage of their individual income according to the table above, but with a minimum fee of $500 per month for independent living (IL, ILP) and $2,000 per month for advanced levels of care (AL, MS, LTC). The spouse will not pay more than the maximum fee listed in the chart.

Total income for computing the monthly fee (includes taxable & non-taxable income from all sources like):

  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service

  • Department of Veterans Affairs

  • Social Security Administration

  • All Pension Payments

  • Survivor Benefit Payments

  • Annuities / IRA distributions & interest

  • Rental Income

  • Other taxable income

Exclusions from the computation of monthly income:

  • Income received by a Resident for Services under the provisions of 24 USC, Section 421

  • Capital gains/losses and interest reported to the IRS for the sale of your primary residence are eligible for a one-time exemption.

Deductions allowed for computing monthly income:

  • Allowable medical & dental insurance premiums paid depending on the Resident's status:

    • Retirees under age 65-TRICARE Prime and dental insurance premiums;

    • Retirees over 65 or others eligible for TRICARE for Life-Medicare Part B and dental insurance premiums

    • Non-retiree Residents-Medicare Part B & D, supplemental medical insurance and dental insurance premiums

    • Court-ordered child / spousal support / alimony

Additional Information

For additional information about the Armed Forces Retirement Home, please visit:
https://www.afrh.gov/

or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AFRH.gov

Armed Forces Retirement Home Frequently Asked Question:
https://www.afrh.gov/apply/faqs

For information on income required for the applications, please visit the following sites:

Documents pertaining to military retired (retainer) pay:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Cleveland Center

For VA Compensation or Pension / Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Social Security benefits: Refer to the nearest Social Security Office

For Civil Service Retirement Office of Personnel Management

Contact information at each AFRH campus:

Gulfport, MS Campus
1800 Beach Drive
Gulfport, MS 39507
Phone: 800-422-9988
Fax: 228-897-4488

Washington, DC Campus
140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW
Washington, DC 20011-8400
Mailing: 3700 N. Capitol St. NW
Washington, DC 20011-8400
Phone: 800-422-9988 
Fax: 202-541-7519

Document Review Date: 11 January 2024