Does anyone have a warm and fuzzy on "Save Pay"?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 May 2021 09:40:58 -0400

I was an E4 prior to attending a service academy. One year after commissioning, I get a large Save Pay entitlement on my LES. From my research, I don't see why I would be entitled to Save Pay since I didn't really lose much in the long run. Can anyone answer why I am entitled and how long this extra pay will last? I'm also prepared to find out this whole thing is an error. Thanks!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 31 at 2021 10:40 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 31 May 2021 10:40:28 -0400

I am not positive but I will take a jab at it. They want to increase your salary due to you are not an 0-1 with zero years of active duty. You are an O-1 with X amounts of active duty.

Response by A1C Johnny Le made May 31 at 2021 10:41 AM

A1C Johnny Le — Mon, 31 May 2021 10:41:42 -0400

Save Pay refers to money given to some personnel as they switch from time-in-service to time-in-grade pay so that they do not see a drop in basic pay. SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT PAY. Madam my guess would be since everyone that comes in the service academy is an E5, backpay of some kinda?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 31 at 2021 11:09 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 31 May 2021 11:09:04 -0400

In years gone past, whenever I recieved a save pay it was due to previous underpayment. Most of the time that underpayment was caused by erroneous deductions (or overdeductions), and this was how they gave me my money back.

I would recommend looking through your last couple of LESs and see if anything stands out as a discrepancy.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made May 31 at 2021 12:59 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Mon, 31 May 2021 12:59:17 -0400

Since service academies pay E5 under 2, if you were and E4 with more than three years prior to transferring to the academy you were making more on active duty. Save pay is the difference. You will receive save pay until that pay gap is closed. If you received a large amount at one time it after you entered active duty it would be back pay you should have previously received.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 2:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 May 2021 14:20:00 -0400

I have seen this a few times. When I commissioned they didn't initial have my pay correct. I went a few pay cycles being underpaid. I have a feeling that you might be an O-1E or at the very least you are an O-1 with a few years in service. If you look at the pay chart and compare it to you previous pay you can see if this happened. You might have been getting paid as an O-1 with less than one year of service.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2021 2:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 May 2021 14:30:50 -0400

It must be per regulations, but you should verify. We graduated WOBC with the first bunch of new 0306 Infantry WOs. They had to be GySgt or above to apply. Some were above that, and one was a former SgtMaj (Ed Bitanga, RIP). They drew save pay due to the cut in pay, and were promoted to CWO2 before graduation, but many still drew save pay.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 5 at 2021 6:16 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 18:16:59 -0400

FIND OUT, before they come after you wanting it all back