By Mr. Sean T. Hayes, Military Pay Systems Specialist, PPC (mas)
When being deployed to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) in the Middle East, the SDP is an incentive program I would highly suggest each member take advantage of while deployed.
The deployed member is guaranteed 10% interest, compounded quarterly. One aspect of the program that is not understood very well is the fact the member is only allowed to deposit earned income WHILE deployed. This is stipulated in chapter 6-F-3(a) of the Coast Guard Pay Manual, where it states:
"Deposits may not be more than the member's unalloted current pay and allowances. Unallotted current pay and allowances is defined as the amount of money a member is entitled to receive on the payday immediately before the date of deposit, less authorized deductions and allotments."
As a Yeoman, it is up to YOU to explain this to your deployed members. The best way to maximize the opportunities of this program is to set up allotments for the deposits beginning with the first month of deployment.
PPC routinely receives deposits for the full $10,000 interest bearing value; this is understandable as members want to receive the full benefit of the interest. However, if a member only earns $3,000 in a given month, they are not eligible to deposit and receive interest based on the full $10,000 maximum interest value, although we can pay interest based on the average value of the quarterly deposits.
Example: If a member deposits $1,000 per month, after 3 months, they will be paid interest based on $2,000 ($1,000 +$2,000+$3,000/3) deposited after the quarter has been completed. Once the second quarter has been achieved, they will be paid interest based on $5,050 ($4,000+$5,000+$6,000/3 + $50 interest earned in the first quarter), provided the levels of deposits remain at $1,000 per month.
One item of note that is STRICTLY prohibited is the use of ADVANCE PAY taken to be used as a means of depositing the maximum value for interest purposes. This would be the equivalent of taking an interest-free loan from the US Government and then being paid interest in the investment of these funds.