Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

[nsplayr]

So...gate months essentially mean nothing? Or at least in the context of "Career-enhancing assignments?" 🤷‍♂️ Copy that gates protect you in a long-term DNIF situation and etc.

[bad_timing]

For those who did an Initial bonus contract this FY, when did you receive your first payment relative to your contract "effective date"?

[Swizzle]

1 hour ago, pawnman said:

Not exactly related to the bonus, but to flight pay...my counterpart here in the office got an email from the local HARM shop that aviators in "Career Enhancing Assignments" (basically, any non-flying job that isn't coded specifically for a rated officer) would have flight pay terminated after 48 months, regardless of how many gate months you had.  The guy referenced AFMAN 11-421 and said it over-rode AFMAN 11-402.

This seems counter to the entire idea of meeting gate months to get continuous flight pay.

Anyone else heard about this?

Seen it, checks. The CEA pumpkin timer! Don't go enhancing yourself for more than 48 months at the expense of a thinner pocketbook. 

[pawnman]

41 minutes ago, Swizzle said:

Seen it, checks. The CEA pumpkin timer! Don't go enhancing yourself for more than 48 months at the expense of a thinner pocketbook. 

So...the gate months and continuous flight pay are meaningless is what I'm hearing.

[Danger41]

2 hours ago, bad_timing said:

For those who did an Initial bonus contract this FY, when did you receive your first payment relative to your contract "effective date"?

I know of two guys that were in the same class so their bonus would arrive the same day (in theory). One got it the Friday prior (USAA) and the other guys arrived the following Wednesday. FWIW.

[Bigred]

11 hours ago, pawnman said:

So...the gate months and continuous flight pay are meaningless is what I'm hearing.

A normal set of orders is usually 36 months, and extending a year can be common. My between-the-lines interpretation is that this rule ensures a pilot doesn’t go career enhancing and decide to never go back to flying, or an aviation related billet, while being able to collect flight pay forever. 
 

 

[Swizzle]

1 hour ago, Bigred said:

A normal set of orders is usually 36 months, and extending a year can be common. My between-the-lines interpretation is that this rule ensures a pilot doesn’t go career enhancing and decide to never go back to flying, or an aviation related billet, while being able to collect flight pay forever. 
 

 

For example some joint non-rated-required joint staff tours or OCONUS non-flying accompanied = 36m

Or some controlled teaching tours are 24, 36, or 48 months...

Or some education programs (i.e. Masters/PhD) could be 24-36m or longer

Or like how the AU Fellowships for IDE/SDE used to be 2+1y =36m (but those were exempted as PME, but did change ones ASC at the HARM...however if you extended in-place too long after PME and your ASC chang(es/ed)....!!!)

....its all tabulated monthly as rated payback and reported to Congress eventually as utilizing rated forces, AND FUNDING, effectively 

There is always a 'pumpkin' timer!!..even a personal one, especially noticeable lately in people around ~17 YaS/TAFMSD, those salty, grumpy people...Caveat Emptor!

[HeloDude]

This is a commander type problem to solve…unfortunately the member receives the consequences of it not being worked out.  Any commander worth their salt would make this a priority as it involves pay.

[pawnman]

11 hours ago, Bigred said:

A normal set of orders is usually 36 months, and extending a year can be common. My between-the-lines interpretation is that this rule ensures a pilot doesn’t go career enhancing and decide to never go back to flying, or an aviation related billet, while being able to collect flight pay forever. 
 

 

I always thought that was the whole point of continuous flight pay. 

Would have been nice if this had ever been brought up at any point before I left the flying community. 

[doubleu]

Anyone hearing any updates to the monthly aviation incentive pay rate increase arriving anytime soon? You would think any updated table would be released as we enter the new FY…

[pawnman]

5 hours ago, doubleu said:

Anyone hearing any updates to the monthly aviation incentive pay rate increase arriving anytime soon? You would think any updated table would be released as we enter the new FY…

Need a budget for that. And you need a Speaker to pass a budget. 

[DuckHunter]

Both the legacy and demo bonuses dropped today.  I’m all but certain the AF has given up.

[di1630]

Details?


Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

[DuckHunter]

28 minutes ago, di1630 said:

Details?


Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I don’t have the PSDM in front of me but from memory the legacy bonus started at $20k and went to $35k for the max.

 

Demo bonus topped out at $50k only for those expiring in 2026 signing up for 8-12 years.

[brabus]

Meanwhile in the guard you can get $50k for 3 years…and not be on AD. The AD gave up on retention a long time ago. The bonus sways zero people to stay in; 100% of takers were going to stay in anyways and the money was just icing on the cake. Change my mind. 

Edited December 2, 2023 by brabus

[F16Deuce]

36 minutes ago, brabus said:

Meanwhile in the guard you can get $50k for 3 years…and not be on AD.

…and have a line number.

Edited December 2, 2023 by F16Deuce

[Ganderly8]

Hello,

wondering if anyone here knows much about the new Rated Demonstration program bonus for this FY?

I'm currently a former CSO  going through UPT with a ADSC til FY25. At first glance at this PSDM it looked like I wouldn't be eligible but looking at it further I can't find anywhere it flat out says I'm ineligible. Specifically under the ETP section where it mentions "aviators who are currently in UFT who have not incurred the UFT ADSC" may request an ETP. Not sure who else that sentence would apply for other than cross-training folks.

I know its a long shot but I'm not gunna not ask, seeing as how they've got my ass for the full twenty either way...

Thanks!

[BashiChuni]

1 hour ago, Ganderly8 said:

Hello,

wondering if anyone here knows much about the new Rated Demonstration program bonus for this FY?

I'm currently a former CSO  going through UPT with a ADSC til FY25. At first glance at this PSDM it looked like I wouldn't be eligible but looking at it further I can't find anywhere it flat out says I'm ineligible. Specifically under the ETP section where it mentions "aviators who are currently in UFT who have not incurred the UFT ADSC" may request an ETP. Not sure who else that sentence would apply for other than cross-training folks.

I know its a long shot but I'm not gunna not ask, seeing as how they've got my ass for the full twenty either way...

Thanks!

don't you already incur 10 years additional ADSC after UPT?

[Ganderly8]

Yup that's right. With the legacy bonus, prior rated UPT students have always been able to take their respective bonus while in UPT up until the day they graduate and get their pilot wings. Just wondering if the same is true for this new bonus program.

[BashiChuni]

ah gottcha

seems smart!

[brabus]

Anyone know if a temporary change to your exemptions and/or W4 will reduce bonus taxes? My idea is adjust those for the month of the bonus payout, then adjust them back to standard afterwards - goal is not give the govt an interest free loan. If this isn’t going to work, any other ideas?

[HossHarris]

No. 
 

bonus withholding is set by the irs. It’s not just an AF thing … 

Edited February 23 by HossHarris

[jice]

10 hours ago, brabus said:

Anyone know if a temporary change to your exemptions and/or W4 will reduce bonus taxes? My idea is adjust those for the month of the bonus payout, then adjust them back to standard afterwards - goal is not give the govt an interest free loan. If this isn’t going to work, any other ideas?

Not a professional; consult one…

Not directly. The payout will be withheld as a bonus, but remember: it’s taxed the same as any normal income. If that withholding is at a significantly higher rate than the rest of your income (unlikely, I’d guess), you COULD adjust to “flatten” that bubble over the rest of the year to hit 0(ish).

Consult a pro & don’t dork up the math. Not worth the pain or risk of messing it up without realizing it… IMHO. 

[brabus]

Agreed,  not worth the potential fuck up. I just hate giving the govt a dime for free…I’m the guy who is happy to owe a few thousand in taxes. A tax refund means I failed.

[SocialD]

On 2/23/2024 at 10:24 PM, brabus said:

Agreed,  not worth the potential fuck up. I just hate giving the govt a dime for free…I’m the guy who is happy to owe a few thousand in taxes. A tax refund means I failed.

 

 

This is my stance as well, which often means I write a big check.  A friend just said they were fined (block 38 of 1040) for not paying enough.  His view was that he made more using that money elsewhere, so he'll pay the fine, even if we all know the fine is bullshit.