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U.S. Military
Retirees & Veterans in Korea

Retiree Support Overseas Korea is here to help the U.S. military retiree and veteran community in the Republic of Korea learn about policies and processes for easy, safe and legal living in this foreign land we call the "The Land of the Morning Calm". With close to 1,600 retirees living in Korea, according to the 2022 MRSS Report, we try and consolidate as much information as possible to keep you informed on matters around the ROK.

What's Inside 

Retiring?
Turning 65?
Base Access
DOD ID Cards
Ration Control
TRICARE
Medicare
Housing
Casualty Assist.

ARC Cards
DFAS
Visa's
Postal Services
SSA
VA
Voting Assistance
Driving in Korea
And More 

Retired and Retiring in Korea

Retiring In Korea?

Some things to know to help for a successful retirement in Korea

* Be Prepared: Checklist to help you prepare for living in Korea as a retiree

I'm Turning 65

I'm Turning 65!

I'm Turning 65: How should I prepare? What do I need to take? 

* Prepare: List of must-do's at 65, and don't forget to get your affairs in order

Social Security in Korea

Social Security

Social Security Administration: Benefit support is not available in Korea, but close by

* Korea has no SS Office: SSA/FBU support is in the US Embassy Manila, Philippines

VA Veteran Crisis Hotline

Calling from Korea

COMM: 0808-555-118
DSN: 118

1-844-702-5493, 1-877-267-6030, 1-800-MYVA411 press 7



DEERS DOD ID Cards

DOD ID Cards

DEERS ID Card offices in Korea support retiree's, their families and all DOD beneficiaries 

* Locations: DEERS offices are on all bases in Korea, No Appointments needed!

Base Access Control DBIDS

Base Access

Base Access Control Processes: DBIDS scans DOD ID cards allowing base access

* Global System: DBIDS is a DOD Enterprise program that works world-wide, not just Korea

TRICARE Overseas

TRICARE Overseas: Select, TRICARE For Life and Medicare requirements 

* TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP): Plans, programs, support services, providers and information

Military Direct Care - On-base Military Treatment Facilities

Military Direct Care

On-base MTF: On-base Military Treatment Facilities for Retirees to use 

* Locations and Accessibility: MTF usage for retirees is on a Space-A, space available priority

Korean Health Care system

Korea Health Care

Using TRICARE in Korean hospitals is easy and cost effective

* International Service Centers: Many Korea hospitals file TRICARE claims for you in these centers

Department of Veterans Affairs Services in Korea

VA While in Korea

Department of Veterans Affairs: How to use the VA in Korea when the VA isn't in Korea

* No VA Clinic in Korea: But, you can file Claims with Foreign Military Program and more

Overseas Military Service Coordinator Korea

OMSC in Korea

Overseas Military Service Coordinator assists retirees and beneficiaries with VA processes 

* Assigned to Korea Aug 2024: Randy Frazier, Randy.Frazier@va.gov, 010-2287-9956

Retiree and Widow Support

Retiree & Widow Support Offices

Years of experienced and knowledge to help retirees and widows living in Korea 

* A Volunteer Force: Availing their own time to assist the retiree and veteran community in Korea

Did You Know information
  • No More Ration Cards more...
  • Call US Toll Free using 1688-4663
  • Dependent spouse INDEF at 65 more...
  • Enroll in Medicare or lose TRICARE more...
  • Retirees keep your Community Bank more...
  • AND MORE "Did You Know" Information

Visit Our FAQ 

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Veteran Records

Request Your Veterans Service Records 

* All Your Service Records: Request copies of your veterans service records on-line from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Request your military records at VA.gov

Record Request

Request Your Military Records From VA 

* Records in Your VA File: Request copies of your military service records online including DD214 through the Department of Veteran Affairs 's website

Returning to Korea

Korea, I'm Back!

Been Gone Awhile? See What's New Around the Land of the Morning Calm, the Republic of Korea 

* USFK and Korea in 2024: Closed bases, Ration Control changes, Humphreys Expansion and more

Korea's Cultural Spotlight

Korean Culture

Korea's Cultural Spotlight: For those never traveling to Korea before, be prepared for a fabulous journey 

* Traditions, Etiquette and Faux Pas: Learn of Koreas beauty, sites, sounds and wonderful food

U.S. Army Retired Soldiers Handbook 2024

U.S. Army Retired Soldier Handbook

“Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier
. . . a Soldier for Life” prepared by
the Army Retirement Services Office

Passport Services in Korea

Passport Services

Korean Visa's for Retirees

Visa & Immigration

Korea Residence Card (old ARC)

Residence Card

United on the ROK

Celebrating and Informing Our Veterans

United on the ROK

My Time in Korea and Why I Decided to Stay

Published:

November 2022

Category:

Veterans and Service Members

Written By:

Patrick J. McGee, CMSgt, USAF (Ret)

United on the ROK

Retiree Support Online Korea

Published:

November 2022

Category:

Veterans and Service Members

Written By:

Patrick J. McGee, CMSgt, USAF (Ret)
John F. Behrend, MGYSgt, USMC, (Ret)

United on the ROK

Korea's Retiree Council Fact Sheet

Published:

December 2022

Category:

Veterans and Service Members

Written By:

Richard Deppe, LTC, USA (Ret)

United on the ROK

John F. Behrend, MGYSgt, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)

Published:

October 2023

Category:

Service, Retirement Services, Recruitment

Written By:

John F. Behrend, MGYSgt, USMC, (Ret)

 Need TAX Return Help?

BLUF: On-base military personnel assistance is not available to retirees in Korea

Retirees can use one of many on-line tax companies such as Intuit TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer and others. Or, visit an H&R Block South Korea office where there are concession stands on base at USAG Humphries and Osan AB (Humphreys: Maude Hall One Stop or Osan: Mustang Mall (Exchange food court). These offices are managed by the H&R Block main office in Seoul and appointments are required. See their contact info below:
  H&R Block South Korea
  Websitehttps://www.hrblock.kr
  Email: sam.lee@hrblock.com
  Email: kenny.lee@hrblock.com
  Phone: 070-7597-0132
  Phone: +82-2-795-7555

Tax Return Assistance
Driving in Korea

Driving in Korea

Cell Phone Services in Korea

Korea Cell Phones

Banking in Korea

Banking in Korea

 Identity Theft

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

The biggest scam that could affect our identity being here in Korea are email scams. When in the U.S. you must also be aware of unsolicited phone calls and texts, and while we do get those on our Korea phones (damn robocalls) usually it's marketing schemes. Annoying, but not as threatening as identity theft scams. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help prevent falling victim to identity theft:

  • 1. We know about PII, but as a reminder, be careful and always question why any personal information is being asked for and how it will be used.
  • 2. Check your credit report(s). You can get a free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting company at https://www.annualcreditreport.com.
  • 3. Pay attention to billing cycles. If a bill doesn't show up on time, ask questions, contact the company.
  • 4. Do not provide your social security number (again we know about PII). Your SSN is literally a “golden key” for identity theft. Consider setting up your personal My Social Security account to keep an eye on your benefits, even if you are not claiming them yet. Read more on our Social Security page.
  • 5. Make online purchases through a secure website that shows “https” in the website link and has a lock in the address bar.
  • 6. Secure your accounts by adding multi-factor authentication login. Yea, it's a PITA we all know, but security isn't supposed to be easy or convenient. Better safe than sorry.

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