Team Barksdale members impacted by new BAH rates

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jannelle Dickey
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Defense Department recently announced the 2015 military pay and compensation rates, with noticeable changes in the new rates for basic allowance for housing. 

This year, the majority of Barksdale's BAH rates decreased or remained the same. Depending on rank, decreases varied from 0.2 to 8.3 percent and only a few rates increased by 2.4 to 4.6 percent.

"A BAH survey was done in the local area and rates were calculated using the average current market rent and utilities, including electricity, heat, water and sewer, for each pay grade, both with and without dependents," said 1st Lt. Joseph Regan, 2nd Comptroller Squadron financial management analysis flight commander.

Two changes were made to BAH rate computations for 2015: renter's insurance, which contributed an average of 1 percent to rates, was eliminated, and the fiscal year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act reduced housing rates on average 1 percent for service members.

However, the individual rate protection from the BAH program will remain in effect.

"Everyone who is currently stationed on Barksdale will be grandfathered and receive the higher BAH rate," said Regan.

Airmen will not see a change in their BAH rate unless they are promoted, demoted, experience a change of dependency status or a permanent change of station.

"Those who have a dependency change or promote won't have a decrease in current pay, but may not receive what they expected," said Regan. "For example, if an Airman gets married in 2015 and the dependency rate is lower, they would continue to receive the single rate." 

Editor's note: Though Team Barksdale members currently stationed here are grandfathered in, newly arriving personnel will be effected by the new BAH entitlement.

For more information on BAH or to use the BAH calculator: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm