Bush May Means-Test Military Retiree Pay

MOAA ^ | 5/9/03 | MOAA

[anthony634]

In mid-August, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) mailed out a new survey instrument to an unknown number of military retirees. MOAA has obtained a copy of the survey. The survey probes the retiree community to reveal information on a wide range of subjects-some good, some bad, and some downright ugly. Consider these:

* In 2002, how much did you earn, including bonuses and overtime pay, from your principal employer before taxes and deductions?

* In 2002, how much income did you receive from the following sources: stocks or bonds, paid up life insurance, IRAs, savings, annuities, estate or trust payments, or rental income from property?

* In 2002, how much income did you receive in supplemental security income, unemployment insurance, civilian or military disability, worker's compensation, GI Bill, Food Stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children or welfare, and child support or alimony?

The survey asks for the same information on spouse income.

It's no secret that some DoD officials hold that retiree compensation should be "means tested." In a well-publicized interview last year, senior DoD appointee Dr. David Chu, referring to the concurrent receipt issue, said: "I don't think anyone really argues that two thirds of our military retirees are in trouble financially." He cited a 1996 version of a DoD retiree survey, but neglected to point out that severely disabled retirees were not included in the survey instrument. The new survey apparently would fix that omission by targeting a broad spectrum of military retirees including those with service-connected disabilities.

Clearly, offering personal financial information is the retiree's choice, but does anyone believe the information will be used to improve benefits for those the department believes are well compensated to begin with? This information could be used at some point to build the case that certain military entitlements should be "means-tested." Concurrent receipt is likely the first target of opportunity.

Let's re-state what should be self-evident: military retired pay is earned for a career of uniformed service; VA disability compensation is compensation for the potential loss of future earnings caused by a service-connected disability. One should not offset the other.

MOAA is deeply disappointed and troubled by this unseemly effort and we strongly recommend that military retirees refrain from answering those questions that pertain to their personal finances.

[anthony634]

WOW! Even thinking this - breaking the faith with military retirees - makes me shudder.

As a member of several military organizations, if we confirm that this is even being considered, we'll ensure every active duty member in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive updates on this issue via e-mail and snail mail.

Wow.

[ambrose]

Wow, Bush may actually CUT some spending for a change. That's the big wow.

[marron]

I guess what is at issue is whether or not your military retirement pay is yours. Is it yours or is it not. Have you earned it or have you not.

If its yours, then whatever else you have or earn is no one's business.

If its not yours, then its welfare and no self-respecting soldier would accept it.

So we need to settle this issue and quickly. But if they decide that military retirement is welfare they had better wonder where they are going to get the next generation of career soldiers. We are in a new, high tech, special ops world. The military doesn't run on minutemen anymore. It runs on guys that have been around, are well trained, and spend their life preparing and doing. Break your pact with them, though, at your peril.

[FlyVet]

I won't be answering that survey, if I get one. If they want to know that badly, they can go after tax records.

[PokeyJoe]

I only served 6 years.

I'm not a retired person, nor am I a recipient of military retirement pay.

To break with Veterans who have EARNED retirement pay, regardless of their rank, current position, income or status, smells bad and is political suicide.

He should propose cutting retirement pay for Congress. That would play better with voters.

Better yet, do unto Clinton what Clinton did to his dad. Take away Bill's Secret Service protection.

[MizSterious]

Really? I beg to differ. On a purely ethical level, we owe them every last thing promised to them, or even every last thing implied by smooth talking recruiters. Aside from that, if we want a military without the draft, they'd darn well better keep those promises. Those guys sweating it out in Iraq, wounded in Iraq, and watching their buddies die in Iraq are owed something more than what seems to be in the works with this smarmy survey. Maybe next time the bean counters can go fight the flippin' war.

[A Navy Vet]

" No one "owes" military retirees anything. "

Okay, then end ALL retirement benefits for ALL federal employees.

[Lucy Lake]

Pinging...

[templar]

"Support our Troops" means put a sign in your yard. Nothing else.

[CholeraJoe]

First disenfranchisement at Military Medical Treatment Facilities. Then offset of disability compensation by military retired pay. Then means testing at VA Medical Centers. Then means testing for Military Retiree Pensions.

What's next? Means testing for BX and Commissary privileges?

Who cares anyhow? All of the WWII and Korean vets will be dead soon. The Vietnam vets are all drugged out hippies and the Cold War vets never really experienced combat. /sarcasm my a$$

[tomball]

If the President really wants to save some big money, let'specifically begin with everyone who voted themselves raises. Start means-testing the members of Congress, Senate, and Judicial branches of our government first. 90% of the bloat begins in the beltway.

Our military people are already means-tested 24-7. They have no union representation like the federal clerks and secretaries. Like most of us civilians, soldiers do not have the luxury of being able to vote themselves raises. In fact, these taxpayers are the last people whose pay should be scrutinized while we are at war.

Our military pays for itself in more ways than one. That's more than I can say for any democrat sitting in congress right now.

[Let's Roll]

And NOT means test prescription drugs for seniors? Smart - real smart.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Most high-level brass retire and become speakers and corporate execs for 6 to 7 figures a year, because of their military service. I will remain undecided until i see the details.

[Crusader21stCentury]

Wow, Bush may actually CUT some spending for a change. That's the big wow.
He needs the money to help all the illegals he is bringing into the country.
George W. Bush is socialist scum!

[Milligan]

What do you Mean? We are retired military and we never receive anything in the mail.

[oldironsides]

We must include federal retirees in this hunt? My Congressman is retired from the state legislature for big bucks and he will collect another fat check from serving in the US Congress. Do we get to keep one of the checks?

[oldironsides]

We must include federal retirees in this hunt? My Congressman is retired from the state legislature for big bucks and he will collect another fat check from serving in the US Congress. Do we get to keep one of the checks?

[Mike Darancette]

I think that they should means test all Federal retirees specifically Congressmen and Senators.

As to Bush seeking to means test military retirement I think that that MOAA is over reacting.