Posted on Jun 22, 2016
Do you feel that military gets enough for retirment compared to other public service jobs?
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In California Fire and Police get 3% a year for retirement, Average salary is $100,000 so that means after 30 years they get 90,000. Also California National Guard and State Military Reserve members on State active duty work at the same compensation as active duty (including BAH) They get state retirement-- 2.5% percent a year x no of years worked (minimum 6 years to be vested) The calculation includes their BAH (which is quite high in California). After 20 years, they get 50% of their entire compensation including BAH) whereas federal military retirement gets only 50% of basic pay only (in reality maybe 35-40% of total compensation) And the Congress voted to reduce that for the hybrid 401K plan!)
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 14
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Compared to some of the state compensation programs listed above, the federal government pension may seem inadequate. However, it is what it is, and I will willfully take the retirement pay that has been allotted for the time served. It seems fair and equitable.
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LTC (Join to see)
I am not complaining-I receive a state teachers pension and a military reserve retirement and feel fortunate. However, my point is that the Congress thinks military has a gravy train for retirement; well Calif. state employees seem to have even a better gravy train; what i am saying is that I believe that when the new plan was voted in, I thin many policymakers didn't realize they are really getting only about 35 or 40% of total compensation after 20 years.
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Personally, I believe retirement pay is way below what is deserved especially on the Enlisted side. However, that being said.... I knew what the pay/benefits were when I chose to stay for 21 years. I'm content with the path I've chosen. I've gathered some lifelong friends and memories that civilians just don't understand nor can they compete with. Fair trade if you ask me.
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LTC (Join to see)
Agreed--No civilian job matches the camaraderie and pride of military service. Perhaps state and local first-responders come close but to me its not the same.
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MSgt Charles Heyniger
No, especially when you consider what a GS civilian of comparable rank. No accountability, no real responsibility, paid overtime, a very generous health care program etc. I'd go on but why waste the effort. I didn't do it for the pay. I did it because I liked the life. I got some and did something that 99% can never say they did. Sometimes that's good enough.
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If you took into account all the many hours you actually had to work. You will find that our per hour. Rate is below minimum wage. Living in the Barracks I can't count the number of time I was called out of bed as a NY State certified Breathalyzer Test Operator. I was earning more as an 18 year old unskilled union Brotherhood of Meat Cutters for the summer than I did 5 years later for a whole year as an Army SGT MP. We were working rotating shifts with about 5 days off provided there were not too many Honor Guard functions or additional MP commitments. There was no such thing as 4 day weekends when your unit worked 24/7 everyday.
During many of my deployments you worked at least 12 hour shifts 7 days a week with a short break for religious services if desired or available on Sunday morning
During many of my deployments you worked at least 12 hour shifts 7 days a week with a short break for religious services if desired or available on Sunday morning
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SFC Jimmy Phillips
You are totally correct SGM, I worked a lot of hours for my pay, 13 combat tours, twice wounded in action, and a whole lot of sleepless nights even when I was home. But like you I am sure, I enjoyed every minute of it and I truly enjoy my retirement. Of course I wish I had more, but who can say they were able to retire at 39 right? I am still young enough to enjoy it and thankful to have come home alive.
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