I retired in 2005, so I see that I'm covered by this new bill, but can you confirm I will not be able to transfer my benefits to my spouse or child? As I read it, this provision is only available to those still on active duty. Is this correct?

-- Timothy Gravelle 

I am a retired Marine Officer who served from June 1980 - June 2006.  Am I eligible, and can I transfer this benefit to my child?  I already have a master degree and do not plan on going on to a PHD.  Please advise what impact if any would this new GI bill means to my family and me.

-- Brice Sayer

This is the $100,000 question – literally – for any servicemember looking to retire in the next few years. And right now, no one knows all the answers.

The transferability options were added to the GI bill enhancements as part of a compromise between Congress and the White House, which had backed the sharing of benefits as a potential retention tool for the military. While the four years of state tuition costs and living expenses are guaranteed benefits under the legislation, the transferability language is merely authorizing language, meaning Defense and service officials still have to work out many of the details.

While the timelines for eligibility are spelled out – six years of service plus another four year commitment to share with spouses, ten years to share with children – details of whether that will only be open to active duty troops are still left to be determined. If service officials decided to use it solely as a recruitment tool, it could mean servicemembers who seem to qualify won’t be offered the transfer options unless they sign up for another tour.

Defense officials will spend the next few months developing guidelines for the new programs. Until then, military families will have to hold tight under the old rules.