Military Retirement Plan Change (Proposed)

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 23:54:03 -0500

High-3 to High-5?

Military retirement pay is calculated, in part, on the average basic pay over a service member’s three highest earning years in uniform, almost always the last three. As part of a larger reform in government retirement, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said $2.1 billion could be saved over 10 years if retirement pay was calculated on average basic pay over a service member’s five highest earning years in uniform.

The CBO envisions applying the change to those who retire starting Jan. 1, 2015. The net effect would be an average 3 percent reduction in the lifetime value of military retired pay.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2013 11:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 23:56:20 -0500

I guess this was about to happen anyhow and I am grateful that the cuts were not deeper.

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Nov 21 at 2013 8:00 PM

MSG Curtis Lange — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:00:41 -0500

This should not apply to Soldiers with a Basic Active Service Date prior to the date of the retirement law change. Precedence is that changes made to retirement in a negative way do not apply to Soldiers on active duty or return to active duty in a way that the date used for retirement calculations. Look at implementation of the 15-year payment and retirement calculation with lower percentage with a one-time adjustment, change from high-pay to the high-three (got me on that by about 2-months prior to DEP), or changes in calculation of leave payment back 1974 or 1975.

This is saving money at the expense of Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen serving in combat environments. Not likely to be a positive for politicians seeking reelection in areas with large military voting populations.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2013 8:49 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 08:49:14 -0500

I did the math on it, looking at several pay grades and lengths of service. The cut does not seem that drastic, but on principle I don't support any cut to military may or benefits that is not preceded by cuts to congressional pay and benefits.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Nov 23 at 2013 7:34 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:34:30 -0500

I have to agree with MSG Lange and hope he is correct. The three current retirement plans, really four when you include redux, were all based on BASD. Also I can't see anything perceived as being bad for the Soldiers passing. That is the political world we live in.

And I'm retiring in just under two years so they better hold off!

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Nov 23 at 2013 7:47 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:47:31 -0500

cuts have to be made somewhere and while i am not for any cuts into my, or other vets pay and benefits this is less intrusive than some of the things i have heard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2015 11:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 11:10:43 -0500

SGM Matthew Quick Have they ever talked about the federal civilian employee retirement plan change? Why only the military when we are all federal employees?