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Report: Pay and benefits panel to recommend killing 20-year retirement [Getty, AP Photos]
Getty, AP Photos; Stars & Stripes ^ | January 28, 2015 | Stars and Stripes

Posted on 01/28/2015 6:35:47 PM PST by Timber Rattler

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission will release its long-awaited report Thursday, which will propose fundamental changes to military benefits including ending the 20-year retirement, according to the Military Times, citing sources familiar with the report.

The plan calls for Congress to create a hybrid system of smaller defined-benefit pension along with more cash-based benefits and lump-sum payments. A significant portion of retirement benefits would come in the form of government contributions to 401(k)-style investment accounts, those familiar with the report told Military Times.

In addition to the 401(k) for troops serving less than 20 years, the commission will suggest promising a pension to troops who serve a long-term career, but one that would be more modest than what military retirees receive today, a defense official briefed on the plan told the Times.

And, unlike the current system, this pension would not start upon separation from service; instead, those payment checks would begin at a traditional retirement age, such as 60 or older, according to the official.

(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: benefits; dod; military
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To: redlegplanner

Have you ever seen a 30 year old female captain trying to keep up with her 23 year old male lieutenants? This is just another step along the lines of ‘military as a social program’. The tip-off was the increase in child care facilities. REAL IMPORTANT, especially for the uniformed mother of four kids with four different fathers.


21 posted on 01/28/2015 7:19:16 PM PST by MSF BU (Support the troops: Join Them.)
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To: silverleaf

Here’s the Congress’ plan. Members who participated in the congressional pension system are vested after five (5) years of service. A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service; 50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options depending on which is chosen. Let the military have this one.

Its great being a member of the ruling class.


22 posted on 01/28/2015 7:25:30 PM PST by Sasparilla (If you want peace, prepare for war.)
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To: txrefugee

No elected official should be entitled to any pension. They leave office far richer than when they enter by defrauding the American people and then they continue to steal from us.


23 posted on 01/28/2015 7:44:59 PM PST by grcuster
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To: dragnet2

Very good observation which at age 74 I agree with most heartily. But I will say that the screwing they are getting is in many cases self-inflicted by not playing by same rules older generations did (or had to).


24 posted on 01/28/2015 7:46:41 PM PST by yetidog
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To: Timber Rattler

One of the salient reasons for the twenty year retirement was to ensure a young, vital and vigorous military.

The same thinking might work with our Congress, now populated with superannuated, exempt blowhards having gold plated benefits and automatic pay raises.


25 posted on 01/28/2015 7:46:59 PM PST by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives.)
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To: MSF BU

It is still nominally 60.


26 posted on 01/28/2015 7:49:33 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Sasparilla

The fact that we have a congress that sets itself up for 25 years of service us why we are so screwed as a republic


27 posted on 01/28/2015 7:51:43 PM PST by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: txrefugee
Are the lousy government officials in all three branches going to have their lavish retirements cut?

Not a chance. Maybe they want to cut the GIs benefits, so they can increase their own. I did 20 years. Under today's circumstances, I would not do it again, without some substantial changes. I remember around 1975, they talked about similar cuts. It went no where. I hope this doesn't either.

28 posted on 01/28/2015 7:56:53 PM PST by Mark17 (Calvary's love will sail forever, bright and shining, strong n free. Like an ark of peace and safety)
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To: silverleaf

When Ben Franklin wrote that people coming to understand they could vote themselves money would herald the end of the republic ... people always seem to think he meant people, and not critters.
That may be a mistaken assumption.


29 posted on 01/28/2015 7:56:54 PM PST by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives.)
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To: MSF BU

Sigh. I know. Was trying to avoid introducing too many other arguements.

When I drive on post during PT now, the primary pace appears to be “the stroll” and the primary formation “the couple”. He’s and She’s out for a nice walk together before breakfast.

Whatever happened to running till your tongue hung out, then adding one more lap running away from the billets to see who fell out? And yes, for you young uns out there, it was in fact uphill both ways....


30 posted on 01/28/2015 7:57:12 PM PST by redlegplanner ( No Representation without Taxation)
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To: Gay State Conservative
Before making honorable service in the Armed Forces even *less* attractive perhaps we should be looking at the compensation packages of *civilians* receiving government pay/retirement checks.

Yeah let's do that - I wouldn't mind a 50K per year pay increase due to my field, qualifications, education and experience and what I would make if I ever went commercial....


31 posted on 01/28/2015 8:01:45 PM PST by MikefromOhio
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To: Timber Rattler; blueyon; KitJ; T Minus Four; xzins; CMS; The Sailor; ab01; txradioguy; ...

Active Duty ping.


32 posted on 01/28/2015 8:03:28 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
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To: cherry
its high time....should have been done long ago....I say that as a dtr who's both parents were vets, who's 3 brothers and 3 brother in laws served, who's husband served.... this promising long time pensions has got to stop....for everybody......start paying pensions for work of 20/30/40 yrs at age 60 or 62....

I did one active duty enlistment and a one year drill reserve enlistment. The guys I saw approaching their 20-30 years of active duty were wore out physically. In my Rating Specialty or IIRC {Army terms is MOS} you did 18-20 hour days at sea yes even the lifers.

IF we go by your idea well then I think the military should have to pay overtime then. Lets see how that works out. They work the hours then they deserve the pay for them right? The government gets it's moneys worth out of a Lifer then some. One of my Chiefs I tried to find 15 years after I got out was dead. I doubt he was over 50 at death. Another one who was at about his 16 year mark went into Cardiac Arrest at Norfolk Naval Hospital in the Lobby going there for chest pains. He was lucky they got him back.

The military is a young mans job and senior NCO's really should be out by age 50 which would be 32 years if the enlistment was at 18. What service a person is in and their job means everything when determining just how long they can keep at it and even possibly how well they can work after getting out in civilian jobs.

Using a Ratio of 1.5 years military worked time vs civilian 8 hour a day 5 days a week time a 20 year Lifer would have done the civilian equivalent of 30 years and the toll on body about the same as the 30. A 30 year Lifer would be closer to hours worked a 45 year civilian in wear and tear.

This same change the time in service requirements nonsense was floated around in the Carter Administration. To keep qualified and upper cut members of the armed forces it means their wages will have to be sufficient enough and a retirement secure enough to make it worth their efforts to sacrifice a higher civilian career and remain active duty. You aren't going to get E-6 through E-9's experience & knowledge by hiring off the street.

Cutting the retirement benefits or rather extending the time before eligible to draw with out a very large increase upfront in active duty base pay to make up the difference will mean Senior NCO's will be hard to come by. No incentive to take the abuse when civilian jobs pay better. If they have to work to 60-65 well gee they may as well stay go civilian at the end of their first enlistment and make it worth while to stay in one job till 60-65 and really cash in.

33 posted on 01/28/2015 8:15:31 PM PST by cva66snipe ((Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?))
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To: Timber Rattler

34 posted on 01/28/2015 8:34:16 PM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not A Matter of Opinion)
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To: Timber Rattler

At some point we need to quit playing as though everyone in the military. and in all branches, are doing the same job.

The CPA or secretary in finance, or the dental assistant, or gynecologist, or attorney, are not destroying themselves physically, and burning themselves out like athletes, and living on MREs and deployments for their 20 years.


35 posted on 01/28/2015 8:38:26 PM PST by ansel12 (Civilization, Crusade against the Mohammedan Death Cult.)
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To: dragnet2

We truly lived in the golden age of the USA. Now we are entering the dark ages.


36 posted on 01/28/2015 8:39:16 PM PST by satan (The tree of liberty is dying in the drought.)
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To: Timber Rattler

this will make retention of skilled solders hard. why stay in if there is no 20 year retirement plan might as will leave as soon as you can. I see this devastating the enlisted ranks.


37 posted on 01/28/2015 8:42:41 PM PST by PCPOET7
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To: PCPOET7

That’s the plan. They want to make it so they would have to impose a draft to get people in the military.


38 posted on 01/28/2015 8:44:29 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

I think you are right the moment you have a draft you end up with upset solders that don’t want to be where they are perfect patsies of the democratic party. The democratic party hates career military enlisted because they tend to vote conservative and for republicans.


39 posted on 01/28/2015 8:57:17 PM PST by PCPOET7
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To: Timber Rattler

More money is needed to finance more free stuff for loafers, moochers and illegals.


40 posted on 01/28/2015 9:17:43 PM PST by Iron Munro ("Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms - Open Up!" "Must be another UPS delivery, honey.")
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