How will a government shutdown effect you?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:00:22 -0500

Since the majority of us are in the military or are retired from the military, how will the government shutdown effect you? When the government shut down in 2012, I suffered due to the recuperation of an already spent enlistment bonus. And now I will be affected because I will not receive a paycheck from the military for work I performed.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2018 8:01 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:01:28 -0500

Additionally, how is it fair that members of Congress and the Senate who are responsible for the shutdown will still be paid, but men and women that are currently in combat will not be paid.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2018 8:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:09:52 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member - The military is paid on the 1st and the 15th. The deadline for the shutdown is tonight, the 19th at 11:59pm. Realistically, Congress will pass a continuing resolution or a budget by the 1st, which would cover pay. More than likely, service members will see an adverse effect by integral gov't civilians being furloughed in areas like the DEERS office among others. Answering your comment, it's fair because they legislate it so. Unfortunately, that is our current legal system. The best way to see change is to make your voice known to your representatives. Your post here is the right first step.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jan 19 at 2018 11:33 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:33:00 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member: and my Rally Point friends- how will the shutdown affect us military Veterans/Retirees? (I, personally, am not sure if my classification is as a Veteran or as a Retiree.)

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 19 at 2018 11:55 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:55:27 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member I don't expect to be affected at all by the threatened government shutdown.
As we know essential personnel are not furloughed when a government-wide furlough takes place. Non-essential personnel frequently are encouraged to take leave.
All too often, in Washington DC we have potential government shutdowns at least once a year. I have lived in the shadow of Washington , DC since I was first assigned here in 1989.
Over the past two decades I have seen that happen every year at least once. House and Senate negotiators push for as much as they can in negotiators and generally each shutdown is averted at seemingly the last possible moment.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 20 at 2018 6:01 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 06:01:17 -0500

I'm supposed to be receiving my first Fed. retirement check for my 24 yrs. of service, between now, and the end of the month.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 6:15 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 06:15:04 -0500

My brother is on FTNGD, he's not getting paid until they fix it, my sister in law is a DOD Civilian, same for her. I'm on regular drill status, so if it's not fixed by next drill we were told we might not have to report and that the time would be made up later. Our essential AGR staff has to show up, and not get paid. I think our Techs are furloughed.

I think they'll have it fixed before February 1st, otherwise they'll have a lot of pissed off people.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 11:05 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:05:07 -0500

Well, I was supposed to have my first drill with my new unit this weekend. I was excited to meet everyone and observe, but that's off the table until further notice.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 20 at 2018 11:21 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:21:27 -0500

I've been through 7 of these in my time. They are vastly overhyped. They are also a great waste of money in doing the administrative churn. They typically last a few days and usually the pay day isn't affected. Remember "essential" people still work and the only potential effect is a later pay date. That becomes a problem if you're living check to check. I remember the banks announcing that they'd forego interest penalty on delayed mortgage payments, etc. That happened when the checks stopped flowing for longer than a few weeks. Most times the Feds who were furloughed for a few days still got paid for them. The later shutdowns had me considered "essential" in my CIV jobs, so with all the other people gone, I got caught up on all sorts of stuff. All in all, much more of a yawner than the pundits and pols would want you to believe. The National Parks are closed. Yawn. The IRS is closed. Yawn. The museums are closed. Yawn. You get the picture.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 1:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 13:37:30 -0500

Years ago I didn't enjoy living paycheck to paycheck. This forced me to change my living, saving, and spending habits. Most financial experts suggest keeping a stash equal to six months of expenses and some suggest an eight-month emergency fund. I heeded their advice so hopefully these situations won't effect me too much.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 20 at 2018 2:00 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 14:00:51 -0500

The length of the shutdown is the problem, if it goes for any length of time it can have an impact on a lot more than we think of.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 20 at 2018 4:01 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:01:22 -0500

Here is a reasonably unpolitical view of the shutdown, what's effected and the historical view. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-20/now-government-has-shut-down-heres-what-actually-shuts-down

Now That The Government Has Shut Down, Here's What Actually "Shuts Down"

now that the US government is taking some time off for only the second time this century, here is a summary of what actually is shut down until the funding gap is closed, according to Bloomberg.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 6:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:09:15 -0500

I've been taking care to set money aside the last year so I'm good to go. Right now it that means I'm refreshing on AER POCs in case some of the other NCOs and Soldiers here need to use their resources.

Otherwise, most of the team I work with is civilians and the work doesn't stop if they do. Looking forward to some longer hours.

V/r
SSG Mullet

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 6:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:13:49 -0500

Oh it will effect my retirement points! Now I have to stay a few months after my retirement date.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 20 at 2018 9:19 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 21:19:22 -0500

I have to look at and listen to ridiculous memes about the shutdown. That is how I am effected. People are saying they're broke now but they are between pay periods and they were broke last month about the same time. This shutdown won't last long.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 9:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 21:33:44 -0500

Being in the military is no different than a civilian job when it comes to your regular paycheck. Financial advisers recommend maintaining an emergency fund of 3-6 months worth of your expenses in liquid assets. In the civilian world you may loose your job and have to dip into this fund. In the military world you dip into it because of government shut-downs, or UCMJ. The problem in the military is to many over extend their finances because they believe their paychecks to be secured in advance. If you abide by the basic rules of budgeting a government shutdown shouldn't ever effect you (the exception being those with > year or so of service). Which is why I'm a firm advocate of mandatory financial planning courses for new recruits. The least we can do is provide these young troops the knowledge. If they choose to ignore it, I have no sympathy for them.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Jan 20 at 2018 10:16 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 22:16:32 -0500

Peace!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 9:16 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:16:07 -0500

For AD types-- IF the shutdown extends beyond Feb 1, that paycheck can only cover from the 15th-19th. That said, most of the banks that are popular among military types (Navy Fed and USAA I know for sure) offer what are effectively zero interest 'payday loans'. They'll front you what they know you are going to be paid, then even up once the back-pay kicks in. Have to check with your specific bank on whether they offer it and what the process is, but it should alleviate some of the stress from our brethren who are worried about the lapse in pay.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 3:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:29:10 -0500

I'm seeing a lot of responses pertaining to soldiers and their lack of responsibility with money. While I agree that everyone should have an emergency savings for situations such as this and others, I also know that a lot of soldiers rely on their paychecks to care for their families and/or previous unforeseen financial burdens before the government shut down came into the picture. I'm by no means saying that the individuals are wrong, because they're not but I'd also like everyone to consider the fact that financials hardships can come at any time, so being ready isn't always an option.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jan 15 at 2019 11:45 AM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:45:36 -0500

My wife works for the govt. thus half our family income is gone. Thank goodness my federal retirement is no affected.