CHAPTER 10 —ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
SUBCHAPTER I—ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF RETIREMENT HOME
SUBCHAPTER II—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
§401. Definitions
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) The term "Retirement Home" includes the institutions established under
(A) The Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington.
(B) The Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport.
(2) The terms "Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund" and "Fund" mean the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund established under
(3) The term "Advisory Council" means the Armed Forces Retirement Home Advisory Council established under
(4) The term "Resident Advisory Committee" means an elected body of residents at a facility of the Retirement Home established under
(5) The term "chief personnel officers" means—
(A) the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel of the Army;
(B) the Chief of Naval Personnel;
(C) the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel of the Air Force;
(D) the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and
(E) the Assistant Commandant of the Coast Guard for Human Resources.
(6) The term "senior noncommissioned officers" means the following:
(A) The Sergeant Major of the Army.
(B) The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
(C) The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
(D) The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
(E) The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title XV of
Amendments
2011—Pars. (2) to (4).
2010—Par. (4).
Par. (5)(E).
Par. (6)(E).
2001—Pars. (1) to (3).
"(1) The term 'Retirement Home' means the Armed Forces Retirement Home established under
"(2) The term 'Retirement Home Board' means the Armed Forces Retirement Home Board.
"(3) The term 'Local Board' means a Board of Trustees established for each facility of the Retirement Home maintained as a separate establishment of the Retirement Home for administrative purposes."
Par. (4).
Par. (5).
Par. (5)(C).
Par. (5)(D).
Pars. (6) to (8).
2000—Par. (7)(D).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Short Title
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
SUBCHAPTER I—ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF RETIREMENT HOME
§411. Establishment of the Armed Forces Retirement Home
(a) Independent establishment
The Armed Forces Retirement Home is an independent establishment in the executive branch.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the Retirement Home is to provide, through the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington and the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, residences and related services for certain retired and former members of the Armed Forces.
(c) Facilities
(1) Each facility of the Retirement Home referred to in paragraph (2) is a separate establishment of the Retirement Home.
(2) The United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home is hereby redesignated as the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington. The Naval Home is hereby redesignated as the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport.
(d) Operation
(1) The Chief Operating Officer of the Armed Forces Retirement Home is the head of the Retirement Home. The Chief Operating Officer is subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense.
(2) Each facility of the Retirement Home shall be maintained as a separate establishment of the Retirement Home for administrative purposes and shall be under the authority, direction, and control of the Administrator of that facility. The Administrator of each facility of the Retirement Home is subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Chief Operating Officer.
(3) The administration of the Retirement Home, including administration for the provision of health care and medical care for residents, shall remain under the control and administration of the Secretary of Defense.
(e) Property and facilities
(1) The Retirement Home shall include such property and facilities as may be acquired under paragraph (2) or accepted under
(2) The Chief Operating Officer may acquire, for the benefit of the Retirement Home, property and facilities for inclusion in the Retirement Home. If the purchase price to acquire fee title to real property for inclusion in the Retirement Home is more than $750,000, the Chief Operating Officer may acquire the real property only if the acquisition is specifically authorized by law.
(3) If the Chief Operating Officer determines that any property of the Retirement Home is excess to the needs of the Retirement Home, the Chief Operating Officer shall dispose of the property in accordance with subchapter III of
(f) Department of Defense support
The Secretary of Defense may make available from the Department of Defense to the Retirement Home, on a nonreimbursable basis, administrative support and office services, legal and policy planning assistance, access to investigative facilities of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and of the military departments, and any other support necessary to enable the Retirement Home to carry out its functions under this chapter.
(g) Accreditation
The Chief Operating Officer shall secure and maintain accreditation by a nationally recognized civilian accrediting organization for each aspect of each facility of the Retirement Home, including medical and dental care, pharmacy, independent living, and assisted living and nursing care.
(h) Annual report
The Secretary of Defense shall transmit to Congress an annual report on the financial and other affairs of the Retirement Home for each fiscal year. The annual report shall include an assessment of all aspects of each facility of the Retirement Home, including the quality of care at the facility.
(i) Authority to lease non-excess property
(1) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense, whenever the Chief Operating Officer of the Armed Forces Retirement Home considers it advantageous to the Retirement Home, the Chief Operating Officer may lease to such lessee and upon such terms as the Chief Operating Officer considers will promote the purpose and financial stability of the Retirement Home or be in the public interest, real or personal property that is—
(A) under the control of the Retirement Home; and
(B) not excess property (as defined by
(2) A lease under this subsection—
(A) may not be for more than five years, unless the Chief Operating Officer determines that a lease for a longer period will promote the purpose and financial stability of the Retirement Home or be in the public interest;
(B) may give the lessee the first right to buy the property if the lease is revoked to allow the United States to sell the property under any other provision of law;
(C) shall permit the Chief Operating Officer to revoke the lease at any time, unless the Chief Operating Officer determines that the omission of such a provision will promote the purpose and financial stability of the Retirement Home or be in the public interest;
(D) shall provide for the payment (in cash or in kind) by the lessee of consideration in an amount that is not less than the fair market value of the lease interest, as determined by the Chief Operating Officer;
(E) may provide, notwithstanding
(F) may not provide for a leaseback by the Retirement Home with an annual payment in excess of $100,000, or otherwise commit the Retirement Home or the Department of Defense to annual payments in excess of such amount.
(3) In addition to any in-kind consideration accepted under subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (2), in-kind consideration accepted with respect to a lease under this subsection may include the following:
(A) Maintenance, protection, alteration, repair, improvement, or restoration (including environmental restoration) of property or facilities of the Retirement Home.
(B) Construction of new facilities for the Retirement Home.
(C) Provision of facilities for use by the Retirement Home.
(D) Facilities operation support for the Retirement Home.
(E) Provision of such other services relating to activities that will occur on the leased property as the Chief Operating Officer considers appropriate.
(4) In-kind consideration under paragraph (3) may be accepted at any property or facilities of the Retirement Home that are selected for that purpose by the Chief Operating Officer.
(5) In the case of a lease for which all or part of the consideration proposed to be accepted under this subsection is in-kind consideration with a value in excess of $500,000, the Chief Operating Officer may not enter into the lease until at least 30 days after the date on which a report on the facts of the lease is submitted to Congress. This paragraph does not apply to a lease covered by paragraph (6).
(6)(A) If a proposed lease under this subsection involves only personal property, the lease term exceeds one year, or the fair market value of the lease interest exceeds $100,000, as determined by the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Operating Officer shall use competitive procedures to select the lessee unless the Chief Operating Officer determines that—
(i) a public interest will be served as a result of the lease; and
(ii) the use of competitive procedures for the selection of certain lessees is unobtainable or not compatible with the public benefit served under clause (i).
(B) Not later than 45 days before entering into a lease described in subparagraph (A), the Chief Operating Officer shall submit to Congress written notice describing the terms of the proposed lease and—
(i) the competitive procedures used to select the lessee; or
(ii) in the case of a lease involving the public benefit exception authorized by subparagraph (A)(ii), a description of the public benefit to be served by the lease.
(7) The proceeds from the lease of property under this subsection shall be deposited in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(8) The interest of a lessee of property leased under this subsection may be taxed by State or local governments. A lease under this subsection shall provide that, if and to the extent that the leased property is later made taxable by State or local governments under an Act of Congress, the lease shall be renegotiated.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (f), was in the original "this title", meaning title XV of
Amendments
2017—Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (i)(1).
Subsec. (i)(5).
Subsec. (i)(6)(A).
2013—Subsec. (d)(3).
2011—Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (i)(2)(F).
2009—Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (i).
2008—Subsec. (d)(3).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
2001—
1993—Subsecs. (e), (f).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
Termination of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective Dec. 31, 2021, of provisions in subsec. (h) of this section requiring submittal of annual report to Congress, see section 1061 of
Modification of Leasing Authority of Armed Forces Retirement Home
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(d)
§412. Residents of Retirement Home
(a) Persons eligible to be residents
Except as provided in subsection (b), the following persons who served as members of the Armed Forces, at least one-half of whose service was not commissioned service (other than as a warrant officer or limited-duty officer), are eligible to become residents of the Retirement Home:
(1) Persons who were discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces after 20 or more years of active service.
(2) Persons who are determined under rules prescribed by the Chief Operating Officer to be suffering from a service-connected disability incurred in the line of duty in the Armed Forces.
(3) Persons who served in a war theater during a time of war declared by Congress or were eligible for hostile fire special pay under
(4) Persons 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.
(5) Persons who are eligible for retired pay under
(A) eligible for care under
(B) enrolled in coverage under
(C) enrolled in a qualified health plan (as defined in
(b) Persons ineligible to be residents
The following persons are ineligible to become a resident of the Retirement Home:
(1) A person who—
(A) has been convicted of a felony; or
(B) was discharged or released from service in the Armed Forces under other than honorable conditions.
(2) A person with substance abuse or mental health problems, except upon a judgment and satisfactory determination by the Chief Operating Officer that—
(A) the person has been evaluated by a qualified health professional selected by the Retirement Home;
(B) the Retirement Home can accommodate the person's condition; and
(C) the person agrees to such conditions of residency as the Retirement Home may require.
(c) Acceptance
To apply for acceptance as a resident of a facility of the Retirement Home, a person eligible to be a resident shall submit to the Administrator of that facility an application in such form and containing such information as the Chief Operating Officer may require.
(d) Priorities for acceptance
The Chief Operating Officer shall establish a system of priorities for the acceptance of residents so that the most deserving applicants will be accepted whenever the number of eligible applicants is greater than the Retirement Home can accommodate.
(e) Spouses of residents
(1) Authority to admit
Except as otherwise established pursuant to subsection (d), the spouse of a person accepted as a resident of a facility of the Retirement Home may be admitted to that facility if the spouse—
(A) is a covered beneficiary within the meaning of
(B) is not ineligible to become a resident as provided in subsection (b); and
(C) submits an application for admittance in accordance with subsection (c).
(2) Treatment as resident
A spouse admitted in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be a resident of the Retirement Home consistent with this chapter, except as the Chief Operating Officer may otherwise provide.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), was in the original "this Act", and was translated as meaning title XV of
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(5).
2018—
2016—Subsec. (a)(3)(A).
2011—
Subsec. (c).
2001—Subsecs. (a), (c), (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
"(1) shall not be required to apply for acceptance as residents of the Retirement Home; and
"(2) shall become residents of the Retirement Home on that date."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
§413. Services provided to residents
(a) Services provided
Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), a resident of the Retirement Home shall receive the services authorized by the Chief Operating Officer.
(b) Medical and dental care
The Retirement Home shall provide for the overall health care needs of residents in a high quality and cost-effective manner, including on site primary care, medical care, and a continuum of long-term care services. The services provided residents of the Retirement Home shall include appropriate nonacute medical and dental services, pharmaceutical services, and transportation of residents, which shall be provided at no cost to residents. Secondary and tertiary hospital care for residents that is not available at a facility of the Retirement Home shall, to the extent available, be obtained by agreement with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense in a facility administered by such Secretary. Except as provided in subsection (d), the Retirement Home shall not be responsible for the costs incurred for such care by a resident of the Retirement Home who uses a private medical facility for such care. The Retirement Home may not construct an acute care facility.
(c) Availability of physicians and dentists
(1) In providing for the health care needs of residents at a facility of the Retirement Home under subsection (b), the Retirement Home shall have a physician and a dentist—
(A) available at the facility during the daily business hours of the facility; and
(B) available on an on-call basis at other times.
(2) The physicians and dentists required by this subsection shall have the skills and experience suited to residents of the facility served by the physicians and dentists.
(3) To ensure the availability of health care services for residents of a facility of the Retirement Home, the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Medical Director, shall establish uniform standards, appropriate to the medical needs of the residents, for access to health care services during and after the daily business hours of the facility.
(d) Transportation to medical care outside Retirement Home facilities
(1) With respect to each facility of the Retirement Home, the Retirement Home shall provide daily scheduled transportation to nearby medical facilities used by residents of the facility. The Retirement Home may provide, based on a determination of medical need, unscheduled transportation for a resident of the facility to any medical facility located not more than 30 miles from the facility for the provision of necessary and urgent medical care for the resident.
(2) The Retirement Home may not collect a fee from a resident for transportation provided under this subsection.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
2008—Subsec. (b).
2006—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
2001—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
1993—Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
§413a. Oversight of health care provided to residents
(a) Designation of Senior Medical Advisor
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall designate the Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency to serve as the Senior Medical Advisor for the Retirement Home.
(2) The Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency shall serve as Senior Medical Advisor for the Retirement Home in addition to performing all other duties and responsibilities assigned to the Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency at the time of the designation under paragraph (1) or afterward.
(b) Responsibilities
The Senior Medical Advisor shall provide advice to the Secretary of Defense, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Advisory Council regarding the direction and oversight of—
(1) medical administrative matters at each facility of the Retirement Home; and
(2) the provision of medical care, preventive mental health, and dental care services at each facility of the Retirement Home.
(c) Duties
In carrying out the responsibilities set forth in subsection (b), the Senior Medical Advisor shall perform the following duties:
(1) Facilitate and monitor the timely availability to residents of the Retirement Home such medical, mental health, and dental care services as such residents may require at locations other than the Retirement Home.
(2) Monitor compliance by the facilities of the Retirement Home with accreditation standards, applicable nationally recognized health care standards and requirements, or any other applicable health care standards and requirements.
(3) Periodically visit each facility of the Retirement Home to review—
(A) the medical facilities, medical operations, medical records and reports, and the quality of care provided to residents; and
(B) inspections and audits to ensure that appropriate follow-up regarding issues and recommendations raised by such inspections and audits has occurred.
(4) Report on the findings and recommendations developed as a result of each review conducted under paragraph (3) to the Chief Operating Officer, the Advisory Council, and the Secretary of Defense.
(d) Advisory bodies
In carrying out the responsibilities set forth in subsection (b) and the duties set forth in subsection (c), the Senior Medical Advisor may establish and seek the advice of such advisory bodies as the Senior Medical Advisor considers appropriate.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (c)(2).
2018—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
2017—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(4).
2014—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c)(2).
2011—
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(3) to (5).
"(3) Periodically visit and inspect the medical facilities and medical operations of each facility of the Retirement Home.
"(4) Periodically examine and audit the medical records and administration of the Retirement Home.
"(5) Consult with the Local Board for each facility of the Retirement Home not less frequently than once each year."
§414. Fees paid by residents
(a) Monthly fees
The Administrator of each facility of the Retirement Home shall collect a monthly fee from each resident of that facility.
(b) Deposit of fees
The Administrators shall deposit fees collected under subsection (a) in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(c) Fixing fees
(1) The Chief Operating Officer, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, shall from time to time prescribe the fees required by subsection (a). Changes to such fees shall be based on the financial needs of the Retirement Home and the ability of the residents to pay. A change of a fee may not take effect until 120 days after the Secretary of Defense transmits a notification of the change to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(2)(A) The fee shall be fixed as a percentage of the monthly income and monthly payments (including Federal payments) received by a resident. The percentage shall be the same for each facility of the Retirement Home. The Secretary of Defense may make any adjustment in a percentage that the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) The calculation of monthly income and monthly payments under subparagraph (A) for a resident eligible under
(3) The fee shall be subject to a limitation on maximum monthly amount. The amount of the limitation shall be increased, effective on January 1 of each year, by the percentage of the increase in retired pay and retainer pay that takes effect on the preceding December 1 under subsection (b) of
(4) The Administrator of each facility of the Retirement Home may collect a fee upon admission from a resident accepted under
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (c)(4).
2011—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d).
2001—
1994—Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
Relief for Residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Impacted by Increase in Fees
"(a)
"(b)
Limitation on Applicability of Fee Increase for Residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home
"(a)
"(b)
§415. Chief Operating Officer
(a) Appointment
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall appoint the Chief Operating Officer of the Retirement Home.
(2) The Chief Operating Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Defense.
(3) The Secretary of Defense shall evaluate the performance of the Chief Operating Officer at least once each year.
(b) Qualifications
To qualify for appointment as the Chief Operating Officer, a person shall—
(1) be a continuing care retirement community professional;
(2) have appropriate leadership and management skills; and
(3) have experience and expertise in the operation and management of retirement homes and in the provision of long-term medical care for older persons.
(c) Responsibilities
(1) The Chief Operating Officer shall be responsible to the Secretary of Defense for the overall direction, operation, and management of the Retirement Home and shall report to the Secretary on those matters.
(2) The Chief Operating Officer shall supervise the operation and administration of the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington and the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport.
(3) The Chief Operating Officer shall perform the following duties:
(A) Issue, and ensure compliance with, appropriate rules for the operation of the Retirement Home.
(B) Periodically visit, and inspect the operation of, the facilities of the Retirement Home.
(C) Periodically examine and audit the accounts of the Retirement Home.
(D) Establish any advisory body or bodies that the Chief Operating Officer considers to be necessary.
(d) Compensation
(1) The Secretary of Defense may prescribe the pay of the Chief Operating Officer, except that the annual rate of basic pay, including locality pay, of the Chief Operating Officer may not exceed the annual rate of basic pay payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under
(2) In addition to basic pay and any locality pay prescribed for the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary may award the Chief Operating Officer, not more than once each year, a bonus based on the performance of the Chief Operating Officer for the year. The Secretary shall prescribe the amount of any such bonus.
(3) The total amount of the basic pay and bonus paid the Chief Operating Officer for a year under this section may not exceed the annual rate of basic pay payable for level I of the Executive Schedule under
(e) Administrative staff
(1) The Chief Operating Officer may, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense, appoint a staff to assist in the performance of the Chief Operating Officer's duties in the overall administration of the Retirement Home.
(2) The Chief Operating Officer shall prescribe the rates of pay applicable to the members of the staff appointed under paragraph (1), except that—
(A) a staff member who is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty or who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States may not receive additional pay by reason of service on the administrative staff; and
(B) the limitations in
(f) Acceptance of gifts
(1) The Chief Operating Officer may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust, of real or personal property, or any income therefrom or other interest therein, for the benefit of the Retirement Home.
(2) Monies received as gifts, or realized from the disposition of property and facilities received as gifts, shall be deposited in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (f)(1).
2011—Subsec. (c)(2).
2001—
1996—Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f).
1993—Subsec. (d)(1).
1991—Subsecs. (a), (c).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, except that provisions of this section relating to appointment and designation of members of Retirement Home Board and Local Boards effective Oct. 1, 1991, see section 1541(a), (c) of
Savings Provision
§416. Advisory Council
(a) Establishment
The Retirement Home shall have an Advisory Council, to be known as the "Armed Forces Retirement Home Advisory Council". The Advisory Council shall serve the interests of both facilities of the Retirement Home.
(b) Duties
(1) The Advisory Council shall provide to the Chief Operating Officer and the Administrator of each facility such guidance and recommendations on the administration of the Retirement Home and the quality of care provided to residents as the Advisory Council considers appropriate.
(2) Not less often than annually, the Advisory Council shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report summarizing its activities during the preceding year and providing such observations and recommendations with respect to the Retirement Home as the Advisory Council considers appropriate.
(3) In carrying out its functions, the Advisory Council shall provide for participation in its activities by a representative of the Resident Advisory Committee of each facility of the Retirement Home.
(c) Composition
(1) The Advisory Council shall consist of at least 15 members.
(2) Members of the Advisory Council shall be designated by the Secretary of Defense, except that an individual who is not an employee of the Department of Defense shall be designated, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, by the head of the Federal department or agency that employs the individual.
(3) The Advisory Council shall include the following members:
(A) One member who is an expert in nursing home or retirement home administration and financing.
(B) One member who is an expert in gerontology.
(C) One member who is an expert in financial management.
(D) Two representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs, one to be designated from each of the regional offices nearest in proximity to the facilities of the Retirement Home.
(E) The Chairpersons of the Resident Advisory Committees.
(F) One enlisted representative of the Services' Retiree Advisory Council.
(G) The senior noncommissioned officer of one of the Armed Forces.
(H) Two senior representatives of military medical treatment facilities, one to be designated from each of the military hospitals nearest in proximity to the facilities of the Retirement Home.
(I) One senior judge advocate from one of the Armed Forces.
(J) One senior representative of one of the chief personnel officers of the Armed Forces.
(K) Such other members as the Secretary of Defense may designate.
(4) The Administrator of the each facility of the Retirement Home shall be a nonvoting member of the Advisory Council.
(5) The Secretary of Defense shall designate one member of the Advisory Council to serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Council. The Chairperson shall conduct the meetings of the Advisory Council.
(d) Term of service
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the term of service of a member of the Advisory Council shall be two years. The Secretary of Defense may designate a member to serve one additional term.
(2) Unless earlier terminated by the Secretary of Defense, a person may continue to serve as a member of the Advisory Council after the expiration of the member's term until a successor is designated.
(3) The Secretary of Defense may terminate the term of service of a member of the Advisory Council before the expiration of the member's term.
(4) A member of the Advisory Council serves as a member of the Advisory Council only for as long as the member is assigned to or serving in a position for which the duties include the duty to serve as a member of the Advisory Council.
(e) Vacancies
A vacancy in the Advisory Council shall be filled in the manner in which the original designation was made. A member designated to fill a vacancy occurring before the end of the term of the predecessor shall be designated for the remainder of the term of the predecessor. A vacancy in the Advisory Council shall not affect its authority to perform its duties.
(f) Compensation
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the Advisory Council may—
(A) be provided a stipend consistent with the daily government consultant fee for each day on which the member is engaged in the performance of services for the Advisory Council; and
(B) while away from home or regular place of business in the performance of services for the Advisory Council, be allowed travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) in the same manner as a person employed intermittently in Government under
(2) A member of the Advisory Council who is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty or a full-time officer or employee of the United States shall receive no additional pay by reason of serving as a member of the Advisory Council.
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Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 416,
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (b)(3).
2017—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (f)(1).
§416a. Resident Advisory Committees
(a) Establishment and purpose
(1) A Resident Advisory Committee is an elected body of residents at each facility of the Retirement Home established to provide a forum for all residents to express their needs, ideas, and interests through elected representatives of their respective floor or area.
(2) A Resident Advisory Committee—
(A) serves as a forum for ideas, recommendations, and representation to management of that facility of the Retirement Home to enhance the morale, safety, health, and well-being of residents; and
(B) provides a means to communicate policy and general information between residents and management.
(b) Election process
The election process for the Resident Advisory Committee at a facility of the Retirement Home shall be coordinated by the facility Ombudsman.
(c) Chairperson
(1) The Chairperson of a Resident Advisory Committee shall be elected at large and serve a two-year term.
(2) Chairpersons serve as a liaison to the Administrator and are voting members of the Advisory Council. Chairpersons shall create meeting agendas, conduct the meetings, and provide a copy of the minutes to the Administrator, who will forward the copy to the Chief Operating Officer for approval.
(d) Meetings
At a minimum, meetings of a Resident Advisory Committee shall be conducted quarterly.
(
§417. Administrators, Ombudsmen, and staff of facilities
(a) Appointment
The Secretary of Defense shall appoint an Administrator and an Ombudsman for each facility of the Retirement Home.
(b) Administrator
The Administrator of a facility shall—
(1) be a civilian with experience as a continuing care retirement community professional or a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in a grade below brigadier general or, in the case of the Navy, rear admiral (lower half);
(2) have appropriate leadership and management skills;
(3) be required to pursue a course of study to receive certification as a retirement facilities director by an appropriate civilian certifying organization, if the Administrator is not so certified at the time of appointment; and
(4) serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Defense.
(c) Duties of Administrator
(1) The Administrator of a facility shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility, including the acceptance of applicants to be residents of that facility.
(2) The Administrator of a facility shall keep accurate and complete records of the facility.
(d) Ombudsman
(1) The Ombudsman of a facility shall—
(A) be a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in the grade of Sergeant Major, Master Chief Petty Officer, or Chief Master Sergeant or a member or former member retired in that grade; and
(B) have appropriate leadership and management skills.
(2) The Ombudsman of a facility shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Defense.
(e) Duties of Ombudsman
(1) The Ombudsman of a facility shall, under the authority, direction, and control of the Administrator of the facility, serve as ombudsman for the residents and perform such other duties as the Administrator may assign.
(2) The Ombudsman may provide information to the Administrator, the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Medical Advisor, and the Secretary of Defense.
(f) Staff
(1) The Administrator of a facility may, subject to the approval of the Chief Operating Officer, appoint and prescribe the pay of such principal staff as the Administrator considers appropriate to assist the Administrator in operating the facility.
(2) The principal staff of a facility shall include persons with experience and expertise in the operation and management of retirement homes and in the provision of long-term medical care for older persons.
(g) Annual evaluation of Administrators
(1) The Chief Operating Officer shall evaluate the performance of each of the Administrators of the facilities of the Retirement Home each year.
(2) The Chief Operating Officer shall submit to the Secretary of Defense any recommendations regarding an Administrator that the Chief Operating Officer determines appropriate taking into consideration the annual evaluation.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (e)(2).
2017—Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (e)(2).
2011—
Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (b), (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h), (i).
2001—
1998—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (a)(3) to (5).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (g).
1996—Subsec. (f).
"(1) Until the date on which the Secretary of Defense first appoints the Director for the establishment of the Retirement Home known as the Naval Home, the Governor of the Naval Home shall operate that facility consistent with this chapter and other laws applicable to the Retirement Home.
"(2) Until the date on which the Secretary of Defense first appoints the Director for the facility of the Retirement Home known as the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, the Governor of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home shall operate that establishment consistent with this chapter and other laws applicable to the Retirement Home."
1991—Subsec. (f).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
§418. Periodic inspection of retirement home facilities
(a) Inspections
The Chief Operating Officer shall request the inspection of each facility of the Retirement Home by a nationally recognized civilian accrediting organization in accordance with
(b) Availability of staff and records
The Chief Operating Officer and the Administrator of a facility being inspected under this section shall make all staff, other personnel, and records of the facility available to the civilian accrediting organization in a timely manner for purposes of inspections under this section.
(c) Reports
Not later than 60 days after receiving a report on an inspection from the civilian accrediting organization under this section, the Chief Operating Officer shall submit to the Secretary of Defense, the Senior Medical Advisor, and the Advisory Council a report containing—
(1) the results of the inspection; and
(2) a plan to address any recommendations and other matters set forth in the report.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—
2018—Subsecs. (c)(1), (e).
2017—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (e).
2011—
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(2).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e)(1).
2008—
2001—Subsec. (c).
1998—
"(1) conduct, not later than three years after the effective date specified in section 1541(a) (and at six-year intervals thereafter), an inspection of the Retirement Home and the records of the Retirement Home;
"(2) cause the Inspector Generals of the military departments to conduct an inspection of the Retirement Home and its records at six-year intervals alternating with the inspections by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense so that each home is inspected every three years; and
"(3) submit to the Retirement Home Board, the Secretary of Defense, and Congress a report describing the results of the inspection and containing such recommendations as the Inspector General considers appropriate."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Effective Date
Section effective one year after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(a) of
First Inspection
§419. Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund. The Fund shall consist of the following:
(1) Such amounts as may be transferred to the Fund.
(2) Moneys deposited in the Fund by the Chief Operating Officer realized from gifts or from the disposition of property and facilities.
(3) Amounts deposited in the Fund as monthly fees paid by residents of the Retirement Home under
(4) Amounts of fines and forfeitures deposited in the Fund under
(5) Amounts deposited in the Fund as deductions from the pay of enlisted members, warrant officers, and limited duty officers under
(6) Interest from investments made under subsection (c).
(b) Availability and use of Fund
Amounts in the Fund shall be available solely for the operation of the Retirement Home.
(c) Investments
The Secretary of the Treasury may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States any monies in the Fund that the Chief Operating Officer determines are not currently needed to pay for the operation of the Retirement Home.
(d) Reporting requirements
The Chief Financial Officer of the Armed Forces Retirement Home shall comply with the reporting requirements of subchapter II of
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (a)(2).
2008—Subsec. (d).
2001—
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
"(1) During the period beginning on November 5, 1990, and ending on September 30, 1994, the Fund shall contain a separate account for each establishment of the Retirement Home. During that period, contributions shall be collected under subsection (a) of this section for the account of the Naval Home for the purpose of achieving a trust fund five times the estimated annual operating budget of the Naval Home.
"(2) Beginning on November 5, 1990, funds required for the operation of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home shall be drawn from the appropriate account. Beginning on October 1, 1991, funds required for the operation of the Naval Home shall be drawn from the account of the Naval Home.
"(3) During the period beginning on November 5, 1990, and ending on September 30, 1994—
"(A) amounts collected as monthly fees paid by residents of the Naval Home and amounts referred to in subsections (a)(4) and (a)(5) of this section derived from enlisted members, warrant officers, and limited duty officers of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard shall be credited to the account relating to that establishment; and
"(B) amounts collected as monthly fees paid by residents of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and amounts referred to in subsections (a)(4) and (a)(5) of this section derived from members and warrant officers of the Army and Air Force shall be credited to the account relating to that establishment."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Nov. 5, 1990, see section 1541(b) of
§420. Disposition of effects of deceased persons; unclaimed property
(a) Disposition of effects of deceased persons
The Administrator of a facility of the Retirement Home shall safeguard and dispose of the estate and personal effects of deceased residents, including effects delivered to such facility under
(1) A will or other instrument of a testamentary nature involving property rights executed by a resident shall be promptly delivered, upon the death of the resident, to the proper court of record.
(2) If a resident dies intestate and the heirs or legal representative of the deceased cannot be immediately ascertained, the Administrator shall retain all property left by the decedent for a three-year period beginning on the date of the death. If entitlement to such property is established to the satisfaction of the Administrator at any time during the three-year period, the Administrator shall distribute the decedent's property, in equal pro-rata shares when multiple beneficiaries have been identified, to the highest following categories of identified survivors (listed in the order of precedence indicated):
(A) The surviving spouse or legal representative.
(B) The children of the deceased.
(C) The parents of the deceased.
(D) The siblings of the deceased.
(E) The next-of-kin of the deceased.
(b) Sale of effects
(1)(A) If the disposition of the estate of a resident of the Retirement Home cannot be accomplished under subsection (a)(2) or if a resident dies testate and the nominated fiduciary, legatees, or heirs of the resident cannot be immediately ascertained, the entirety of the deceased resident's domiciliary estate and the entirety of any ancillary estate that is unclaimed at the end of the three-year period beginning on the date of the death of the resident shall escheat to the Retirement Home.
(B) Upon the sale of any such unclaimed estate property, the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(C) If a personal representative or other fiduciary is appointed to administer a deceased resident's estate and the administration is completed before the end of such three-year period, the balance of the entire net proceeds of the estate, less expenses, shall be deposited directly in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund. The heirs or legatees of the deceased resident may file a claim made with the Secretary of Defense to reclaim such proceeds. A determination of the claim by the Secretary shall be subject to judicial review exclusively by the United States Court of Federal Claims.
(2)(A) The Administrator of a facility of the Retirement Home may designate an attorney who is a full-time officer or employee of the United States or a member of the Armed Forces on active duty to serve as attorney or agent for the facility in any probate proceeding in which the Retirement Home may have a legal interest as nominated fiduciary, testamentary legatee, escheat legatee, or in any other capacity.
(B) An attorney designated under this paragraph may, in the domiciliary jurisdiction of the deceased resident and in any ancillary jurisdiction, petition for appointment as fiduciary. The attorney shall have priority over any petitioners (other than the deceased resident's nominated fiduciary, named legatees, or heirs) to serve as fiduciary. In a probate proceeding in which the heirs of an intestate deceased resident cannot be located and in a probate proceeding in which the nominated fiduciary, legatees, or heirs of a testate deceased resident cannot be located, the attorney shall be appointed as the fiduciary of the deceased resident's estate.
(3) The designation of an employee or representative of a facility of the Retirement Home as personal representative of the estate of a resident of the Retirement Home or as a legatee under the will or codicil of the resident shall not disqualify an employee or staff member of that facility from serving as a competent witness to a will or codicil of the resident.
(4) After the end of the three-year period beginning on the date of the death of a resident of a facility, the Administrator of the facility shall dispose of all property of the deceased resident that is not otherwise disposed of under this subsection, including personal effects such as decorations, medals, and citations to which a right has not been established under subsection (a). Disposal may be made within the discretion of the Administrator by—
(A) retaining such property or effects for the facility;
(B) offering such items to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a State, another military home, a museum, or any other institution having an interest in such items; or
(C) destroying any items determined by the Administrator to be valueless.
(c) Transfer of proceeds to Fund
The net proceeds received by the Administrators from the sale of effects under subsection (b) shall be deposited in the Fund.
(d) Subsequent claim
(1) A claim for the net proceeds of the sale under subsection (b) of the effects of a deceased may be filed with the Secretary of Defense at any time within six years after the death of the deceased, for action under
(2) A claim referred to in paragraph (1) may not be considered by a court or the Secretary unless the claim is filed within the time period prescribed in such paragraph.
(3) A claim allowed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be certified to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment from the Fund in the amount found due, including any interest relating to the amount. No claim may be allowed or paid in excess of the net proceeds of the estate deposited in the Fund under subsection (c) plus interest.
(e) Unclaimed property
In the case of property delivered to the Retirement Home under
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (a).
2011—
Subsec. (c).
2003—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
2002—Subsec. (e).
2001—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (b)(1)(C).
Subsec. (d).
1993—Subsec. (a).
"(1) A will or other paper involving property rights shall be promptly delivered to the proper court of record.
"(2) If the heirs or legal representative of the deceased cannot sooner be ascertained, the Directors shall retain the remaining effects until three years after the death of the deceased, and then, if a right to the effects is established to the satisfaction of the Directors, shall deliver the effects to the living person highest on the following list who can be found:
"(A) The surviving spouse or legal representative.
"(B) A child of the deceased.
"(C) A parent of the deceased.
"(D) A brother or sister of the deceased.
"(E) The next-of-kin of the deceased.
"(F) A beneficiary named in the will of the deceased."
Subsec. (b).
"(1) After three years from the date of death of the deceased, the Directors may sell the effects to which a right has not been established under subsection (a) of this section (except decorations, medals, and citations) by public or private sale, as the Directors consider most advantageous.
"(2) After five years from the date of death of the deceased, the Directors shall dispose of effects that were not sold under paragraph (1) (including decorations, medals, and citations) and to which a right has not been established under subsection (a) of this section. The sale shall be made in the manner that the Directors consider most appropriate in the public interest. Disposal may include—
"(A) retaining the effects for the use of the Retirement Home;
"(B) delivering the effects to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to a State or other military home, to a museum, or to any other appropriate institution; or
"(C) destroying the effects if the Retirement Home Board determines that they are valueless."
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date
Section applicable to estate of each resident of Armed Forces Retirement Home, including United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and Naval Home, who dies after Nov. 29, 1989, see section 1541(d) of
§421. Payment of residents for services
(a) Authority
The Chief Operating Officer is authorized to accept for the Armed Forces Retirement Home the part-time or intermittent services of a resident of the Retirement Home, to pay the resident for such services, and to fix the rate of such pay.
(b) Employment status
A resident receiving pay for services authorized under subsection (a) shall not, by reason of performing such services and receiving pay for such services, be considered as—
(1) receiving the pay of a position or being employed in a position for the purposes of section 5532 1 of title 5; or
(2) being an employee of the United States for any purpose other than—
(A) subchapter I of
(B)
(c) "Position" defined
In subsection (b)(1), the term "position" has the meaning given that term in
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Amendments
2001—Subsec. (a).
1996—Subsec. (b)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Forgiveness of Indebtedness
1 See References in Text note below.
§422. Authority to accept certain uncompensated services
(a) Authority to accept services
Subject to subsection (b) and notwithstanding
(b) Requirements and limitations
(1) The Chief Operating Officer or the Administrator of a facility accepting the services shall notify the person offering the services of the scope of the services accepted.
(2) The Chief Operating Officer or Administrator shall—
(A) supervise the person providing the services to the same extent as that official would supervise a compensated employee providing similar services; and
(B) ensure that the person is licensed, privileged, has appropriate credentials, or is otherwise qualified under applicable laws or regulations to provide such services.
(3) A person providing services accepted under subsection (a) may not—
(A) serve in a policymaking position of the Retirement Home; or
(B) be compensated for the services by the Retirement Home.
(c) Authority to recruit and train persons providing services
The Chief Operating Officer or the Administrator of a facility of the Retirement Home may recruit and train persons to provide services authorized to be accepted under subsection (a).
(d) Status of persons providing services
(1) Subject to paragraph (3), while providing services accepted under subsection (a) or receiving training under subsection (c), a person shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Government only for purposes of the following provisions of law:
(A) Subchapter I of
(B)
(2) A person providing services accepted under subsection (a) shall be considered to be an employee of the Federal Government under paragraph (1) only with respect to services that are within the scope of the services accepted.
(3) For purposes of determining the compensation for work-related injuries payable under
(A) the average monthly number of hours that the person provided the services, by
(B) the minimum wage determined in accordance with
(e) Reimbursement of incidental expenses
The Chief Operating Officer or the Administrator of a facility accepting services under subsection (a) may provide for reimbursement of a person for incidental expenses incurred by the person in providing the services accepted under subsection (a). The Chief Operating Officer or Administrator shall determine which expenses qualify for reimbursement under this subsection.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—
2001—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (e).
§423. Preservation of historic buildings and grounds at the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington
(a) Historic nature of facility
Congress finds the following:
(1) Four buildings located on six acres of the establishment of the Retirement Home known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington are included on the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) Amounts in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, which consists primarily of deductions from the pay of members of the Armed Forces, are insufficient to both maintain and operate the Retirement Home for the benefit of the residents of the Retirement Home and adequately maintain, repair, and preserve these historic buildings and grounds.
(3) Other sources of funding are available to contribute to the maintenance, repair, and preservation of these historic buildings and grounds.
(b) Authority to accept assistance
The Chief Operating Officer and the Administrator of the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington may apply for and accept a direct grant from the Secretary of the Interior under
(c) Requirements and limitations
Amounts received as a grant under subsection (b) shall be deposited in the Fund, but shall be kept separate from other amounts in the Fund. The amounts received may only be used for the purpose specified in subsection (b).
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
In subsec. (b), "
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (b).
2001—
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b).
§424. Repealed. Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XIV, §1410(a)(5), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1266
Section,
SUBCHAPTER II—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
§§431 to 433. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §567(a), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1425
Section 431,
A prior section 431,
Section 432,
A prior section 1532 of
Section 433,
A prior section 1533 of
SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
§441. Repealed. Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XIV, §1410(b)(3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1266
Section,