GOP seeks military pension cuts in looming budget deal

All Voices ^ | 9 Dec 13 | itobin53

[SkyPilot]

In front of television cameras, Republicans wave the flag in support of US military personnel. But behind closed doors, they are taking aim at their pensions. The budget deadline of Dec. 13 is fast approaching with the threat of avoiding another government shutdown waning in the balance.

Budget chairs Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) may be close to a deal that could trim $20 billion from federal pensions.

Similar to the chained CPI cuts President Barack Obama [Unlink] included in his failed Grand Bargain in 2011, Ryan is proposing changes in the way military pensions are calculated so retirees will end up with less money.

[SkyPilot]

Thanks for your service Marine.

Read the news articles that out there on Google: if you retired because of medical reasons, your cost of living should be exempt from the Cost of Living decrease they are about to pass.

I'll buy you a drink if I ever run into you.

[SkyPilot]

You made your bed, now sleep in it.

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I don't understand your comment. Please clarify, thank you.

[redgolum]

Unless you know of teachers that had a limb or two amputated on the job, or shrapnel through the lung, or a host of back issues that inhibit other employment, or traumatic brain injury, or were otherwise left permanently wounded or maimed.
I actually do, but that isn't the norm. The ones I know work in vibrant areas, or were teaching shop class. However, EVERY Fed or State Gov employee will have a list like that. Every private pensioner will also (and I know quite a few who made green and red tractors missing limbs with bad backs). The point still stands. No one can pay for pensions long term.
Do I like it? No. There are family members and close friends affected by this. They had a plan, and it will be blown up. They were lied to, as every one is when it comes to pensions and retirement.
As to the mercs. Private security companies are being used is roles that used to be Army or Marines (and not just security). I know a few guys that left the military to work for them, and lets just say they are doing more than standing guard. If the costs for regular troops keeps going up, the Fedgov will rely more and more on mercs.

[blueunicorn6]

Look at the negotiating strategy on this. The Democrats want something.....no increase in federal civilian employee donations to their retirement. So, they threaten military retirements. First, don’t the politicians work for everyone? If the Democrat politicians only work for federal civilian employees, then they should say that. Then, we can start sending Democrat IRS employees to Afghanistan to fight. That would be fun to see. The federal budget isn’t decided by “tit-for-tat”. The federal budget should be developed to get the maximum effectiveness and efficiency out of every hard-earned American tax dollar for the citizens of The United States. It’s not there to just buy Democrat votes. If it is, let all Americans know so we can start the new revolution.

[puppypusher]

I just can’t stand these creeps from Congress.They’ll go out of their way and stab our Veterans in the back by taking away their Health Care,Benefits and Now they’re attacking the Retirement Benefits for these Veterans.

When is the Congress going to cut its own damned benefits and pay?Damned S.O.B.’s.

[kabar]

So, full disclosure again, I am a military retiree like you and I am willing to see benefit cuts if they help us solve our fiscal woes. The problem is, they say they save a whopping $6 Billion over several years by changing the rules on military retirees, but then they turn around and starting ladling out Billions the next week for paying people not to work, ObamaCare subsidies to the Takers, Section 8 housing vouchers, utility subsidies, and all the rest.

I only spent 8 years on active duty in the USN, but I am a federal retiree. There is no doubt that all federal employees and retirees will come under the cross-hairs for reductions. It is inevitable since most politicians know that it is career enhancing to attack government employees. That said, I have already received more than ten times in benefits than I paid in contributions for my federal pension, which is close to 115K. No pension system is sustainable under such circumstances.

I agree that national defense should be our number one priority and it is constitutionally mandated. The sequester was devised by the WH and the idea was we would never implement it because the cuts in defense would be too onerous for the Reps. It was intended to force a budget deal that would increase spending for the federal government. Now we are seeing the pressures building to eliminate the sequester because it is causing the pain it was intended to inflict. Ryan is caving along with the GOPe, which has no stomach for a confrontation with the WH.

I agree that even if this two year moratorium on the sequester is enacted, the pressure on reducing DOD will continue as the costs of the welfare state continue to escalate. Essentially, we are just kicking the can down the road, making future choices more draconian and painful.

[HiJinx]

You’re right, veterans have made their own beds and most of us are more than willing to sleep in them.

I believe the author is concerned that we are losing our bedding at a time when blood-sucking leeches are being treated to rooms at the Savoy.

Not that I’m incensed over this. No, not me...

[HiJinx]

Many in the military are never in harms way and should work like a federal employees

Really? Every military veteran is subject to being placed in harm's way. That's not true of other federal employees. Sounds like sour grapes, to me.

[darkangel82]

I’m a year younger than you and was never able to serve, but I agree with what you said. Not like the Gimpy Old Party is listening though.

[Catsrus]

I’m in favor of cutting the retirement and pension benefits that the Congress critters receive after serving just 5 years. Did I say serving? I mean ruling.

[3Fingas]

Before Congress cuts military pensions they should get rid of their own outrageous retirement system. Why do congressman get lifetime pensions when they leave public service? For that matter, why do they even get paychecks seeing as the can’t even accomplish their primary task to produce an annual budget (we have been operating under CRs for years)?

[3Fingas]

You beat me to it.

[3Fingas]

I do think we should reform our military pension system for future servicemen.

This is how I think it should be reformed.

Go to a 401k type system. Use the TSP program in which service members already can participate. However, change it in this regard. Have employee matching contributions for a certain amount, just like civilian employees have. Here’s the real change I am proposing: make the system tax free going in and coming out. Service members can deduct contributions from taxable income and not have to pay any taxes when they collect a lump sum or elect tax free allotments when they get out. This way those who do not serve 20 years can also benefit from the system. The incentive to stay in is there also as serving more years produces additional tax free contributions and a larger amount when you get out.

The other advantage to my proposal is that the separating service member than is not dependent on, or tied to, the federal government for a retirement check every month. Freedom and no dependency on monthly checks. Time to rethink the wisdom of waiting for a monthly government check. I would rather have a lump sum of tax free money and no need to be locked into receiving a monthly check which could be manipulated by Congress as it is now.

[GreyHoundSailor]

My heartburn is that working-age federal retirees aren’t affected - only new hires starting Jan 2014.

[Poundstone]

Interesting debate. Glad I’m already a Federal retiree!