---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 12524"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "12524"
heading: "Enrollment and election of benefits"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/12524"
units:
  - "Subtitle E — Reserve Components"
  - "Part II — Personnel Generally"
  - "Chapter 1214 — Ready Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance"
---

# §12524. Enrollment and election of benefits

- (a) **Enrollment.—**
  - (1) Except as provided in [subsection (f)](#f), upon first becoming a member of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6), a member shall be automatically enrolled for coverage under the [insurance program](/usc/10/12521.md?p=1). An automatic enrollment of a member shall be void if within 60 days after first becoming a member of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) the member declines insurance under the program in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4).
  - (2) Promptly after the [insurance program](/usc/10/12521.md?p=1) is established, the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) shall offer to members of the [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) components who are then members of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) (other than members ineligible under [subsection (f)](#f)) an opportunity to enroll for coverage under the [insurance program](/usc/10/12521.md?p=1). A member who fails to enroll within 60 days after being offered the opportunity shall be considered as having declined to be insured under the program.
  - (3) A member of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) ineligible to enroll under [subsection (f)](#f) shall be afforded an opportunity to enroll upon being released from [active duty](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-1) in accordance with regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) if the member has not previously had the opportunity to be enrolled under paragraph [(1)](#a-1) or [(2)](#a-2). A member who fails to enroll within 60 days after being afforded that opportunity shall be considered as having declined to be insured under the program.
- (b) **Election of Benefit Amount.—** The amount of a member’s monthly benefit under an enrollment shall be the basic benefit under subsection (a) of [section 12525 of this title](/usc/10/12525.md) unless the member elects a different benefit under [subsection (b)](/usc/10/12525.md?p=b) of such section within 60 days after first becoming a member of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) or within 60 days after being offered the opportunity to enroll, as the case may be.
- (c) **Elections Irrevocable.—**
  - (1) An election to decline insurance pursuant to paragraph [(1)](#a-1) or [(2)](#a-2) of subsection (a) is irrevocable.
  - (2) The amount of coverage may not be increased after enrollment.
- (d) **Election To Terminate.—** A member may terminate an enrollment at any time.
- (e) **Information To Be Furnished.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) shall ensure that members referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) are given a written explanation of the [insurance program](/usc/10/12521.md?p=1) and are advised that they have the right to decline to be insured and, if not declined, to elect coverage for a reduced benefit or an enhanced benefit under [subsection (b)](#b).
- (f) **Members Ineligible To Enroll.—** Members of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) serving on [active duty](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-1) (or [full-time National Guard duty](/usc/10/101.md?p=d-5)) are not eligible to enroll for coverage under the [insurance program](/usc/10/12521.md?p=1). The [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4) may define any additional category of members of the Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) to be excluded from eligibility to purchase insurance under this chapter.
- (g) **Members of Individual Ready Reserve.—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, and pursuant to regulations issued by the [Secretary](/usc/10/12521.md?p=4), a member of the Individual Ready [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) who becomes a member of the Selected [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) shall not be denied eligibility to purchase insurance under this chapter upon becoming a member of the Selected [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) unless the member previously declined to enroll in the program of insurance under this chapter while a member of the Selected [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, § 512(a)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 300; amended Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title V, § 542, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2521.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–201 added subsec. (g).