[napscoordinator]

An E-2 fresh out of boot camp would make around 17,500 but that is before taxes so he would probably end up with a grand a month. Not a small amount, but that tax free could really help out especially since ten or twenty percent of their pay is going to TSP as well.

[martyjlewis]

...but that tax free could really help out especially since ten or twenty percent of their pay is going to TSP as well.

TSP really isn't a factor here, as it is optional retirement savings. Should I get a tax break becuase I dump xx% of my pay into a 401-K or IRA?

Well, since I'm under 30, and xx is larger than some IRS determined amount, I do, but so does the young Airman putting the right amount in the TSP.