Do you think 2016 BAH average increase of 3.4% is appropriate?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 18:16:36 -0500

The 2016 BAH rates will increase on average by 3.4% or approximately $54 per month. The new rates will take effect on January 1, 2016. While the BAH rates will be increasing for many service members this year, the BAH program also includes a plan to slow growth, which will eventually achieve a 5% out-of-pocket cost for living expenses. By 2019, service members will be paying 5% of their housing expenses out of pocket.

Read more: http://militarybenefits.info/2016-bah-basic-allowance-for-housing-rates/#ixzz3wypdKRoB

2016 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) Rates | Military Benefits

The 2016 BAH rate will increase on average by 3.4% or $54 per month. The BAH rate 2016 for your area can be determined with the BAH calculator.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Jan 11 at 2016 6:21 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 18:21:07 -0500

So long as it's a "slow" growth and not something drastic while grandfathering in current assignment personnel I don't see too much of an issue. Like the new retirement system it has to be plainly stated and grandfathered in for those under the current system.

If BAH were to drop while a service member is currently on station that would negatively impact many. If they PCS and get the new rate for their new station it shouldn't be an issue.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 11 at 2016 7:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 19:33:09 -0500

What is the inflation rate?

Response by Col Kyle Taylor made Jan 11 at 2016 9:55 PM

Col Kyle Taylor — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 21:55:24 -0500

I grew up in a military family and think that the BAH rates have been fair (especially compared to the 70's and 80's). That said, the more you recurve the more you will probably spend. When I was a commander almost all of the officers working for me appear d to have a house payment larger than mine and I know of at least one who paid ~ $100,000 more for their house than I did. We all make decisions and need to decide what is important to us. Some are more materialistic than others and will always want to one up their neighbors no mater what their housing allowance is.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 11 at 2016 11:18 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 23:18:42 -0500

My rent went up $55, but my BAH went down $12. Luckily I am grandfathered into my rate. I wish the 3.4% was across the board.

Response by LT Michael Cavaggioni made Jan 12 at 2016 12:02 AM

LT Michael Cavaggioni — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 00:02:34 -0500

So mine went down, but I will be grandfathered. I am about to put on O3E and my grandfathered O2E rate is higher than the new O3E rate. I think that will be grandfathered as well. At least it should be. If I recall correctly, my E6 rate was higher than my O1E rate so I was able to keep that when I commissioned. We'll see next month. :D

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 2:54 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 02:54:28 -0500

That number is very deceiving. The Hawaii BAH rate for an E6 w/Dependent went down almost $100/month. It is reason like this I made sure when we bought our house that a change like this in BAH would not affect me financially. For me, my BAH will still cover all associated bills for my home, including HOA, electric, and cable/internet. While I am grandfathered in, I know far to many sailors who will find the nicest place they can and spend everything, then bitch and moan about how their other bills add $500-$600 at least each month they have to pay out of pocket.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jan 12 at 2016 7:05 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 07:05:18 -0500

I think that if they were looking to save money on BAH, instead of slowing growth to cover only 95% of housing expenses, they should do away with dual military BAH.

40,000 members married to other military collect BAH at the single rate. If the average is a $1000 dollars a month, that comes to $40M a month or $480M a year in savings.

The only time dual BAH should be paid is if the members are geographically separated by their PCS orders

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jan 12 at 2016 10:56 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:56:52 -0500

I think it's criminal because this amounts to a defacto pay cut for active duty folks...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 11:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:35:20 -0500

My BAH went up $30, so a positive increase is better than no or a loss. My mortgage stays the same!

Response by SSgt Mike Hogan made Jan 12 at 2016 1:01 PM

SSgt Mike Hogan — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:01:12 -0500

The BAH and civilian run base housing is BS! I've got 2 sons in the AF. Hill AFB and Ellsworth AFB. The way they (housing) increase the cost of the housing is messes up. Housing will not repair or replace broken appliances or do the routine upkeep and the lower enlisted have no recourse for corrective action. I'm not sure how senior NCO's and Officers are treated, but the way E-5's and below are treated is not worth what they are paying in BAH. Many of my sons friends, including my sons, are considering moving off base. I had base housing back when I served and housing was run by AF personnel. There were issues at times, but were easily resolved through the chain of command. Anyway, I think the young folks serving today are being screwed in so many ways by congress. My hats off to you who serve and put up the with reduced benny's.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 1:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:14:03 -0500

It's deceiving. At fist glance, it would appear that [most] everyone got a decent BAH increase, to somewhat stay in line with inflation. However, the reductions we suffered last year were greater than the increase this year.
Fortunately, I am still grandfathered at my E6 BAH rate for 2014, because the E7 rates for both 2015 and 2016 are more than $100 below the grandfathered rate.
Looks good politically though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 12:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:31:37 -0500

As long as they give you BAH for Camp Shelby, MS, and you rent an apartment in NYC, you will be ok.

Response by Sgt Harold Flowers made Jan 15 at 2016 12:24 PM

Sgt Harold Flowers — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:24:09 -0500

It should never go down because it certainly isn't going down for rent.