http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/us/retiree-benefits-for-the-military-could-face-cuts.html?_r=1&hp
As reported by the trustful NY times. Good times for all!!!
As reported by the trustful NY times. Good times for all!!!
Wait, I thought we didn't want to be like those socialists in Europe?what kind of military retirement systems to most other developed countries have?
Here is what I found on the retirement systems for our 'cousins' in the Commonwealth; British new (2005/6) and old (1975), Canadian new (2007) and old, and Australian (with chart!). All seem to be less generous, quite a bit less so for some, than our system.
And this goes to show you that it isn't a new issue in the US (PDF).
My biggest concern from the article the OP posted was the fact that military contributions to pensions are more than the total military payroll and that gap looks to only increase. Not exactly the balance we should be maintaining if we want to keep up our current and future capabilities.
I don't think the words "social entitlements" and "military retirement" are as synonomous as you may think. There is a difference as to what qualifies one for one benefit and what qualifies one for the other. The day that military pension means the same as welfare is a sad day for our country as a whole.I know, Flaps.I'm just preemptively pointing out the hypocrisy that many conservatives will unwittingly display. Entitlements are bad... Unless you're the one getting the benefits, then it's an outrage to consider "tampering" with what has been promised. In many contexts, you could use the terms "social security" and "military retirement" interchangeably in a debate over entitlements, but I doubt that many conservatives would think to put then in the same category. It's a precarious line to walk. While I think that our culture of entitlements has ultimately done systemic harm to our way of life in this country, I'll certainly be enjoying my retirement pay and benefits. The challenge is to transition to a more sustainable system for all entitlements without creating a class of disgruntled people who feel like they're getting shafted WRT their older counterparts who are grandfathered in. Policymakers, get to work!
Brett
I don't think the words "social entitlements" and "military retirement" are as synonomous as you may think. There is a difference as to what qualifies one for one benefit and what qualifies one for the other. The day that military pension means the same as welfare is a sad day for our country as a whole.
My question: Do they split pay into allotments like we do? We guarantee 50% of your base pay at 20, but do the math and it ends up closer to 35% (of your take home-similar to the Aussies) when you take out your BAH/BAS.