Just a Shame!

Published

Specializes in ED.

So, the Pentagon is talking about ending the traditional pension system for military service men and women. They are talking about some crappy 401(k) style that is volatile with market swings. Remember the last big swing were most people lost 40 % of the 401 k's about 2 years ago?

So, to keep America safe, these people risks their lives and miss out on family life. And now, the powers that be are going to take away a nest egg that they were counting on for their futures.

Why do the people that sacrifice so much get forced to sacrifice even more? It just isn't fair! I hope that there will be such an outcry over this that it doesn't happen.

Why volunteer to get screwed over and over? ( Sorry, I know the importance of serving this great nation and it's people.) I am just ****** for the ones that are in already and for the ones who are trying to get in.

JJTRN

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Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

If it's all pretax and unlimited contributions and ANY matching - it could be a great deal. TSP has a cap (very small) and takes forever to get anything builtup.

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Despite if it goes away it directly affecting me and my family.. I think its a good idea "Potentially" - or at least the concept of it. I believe everyone should have to contribute and feel that involvement in planning their own retirement and put skin in the game.... That being said I feel ALL federal pension / retirements should be looked at and also 'adjusted' to a contribution plan if it makes 'sense' for those in the military who often sacrifice the most.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Talks of changing the military retirement comes up every couple of years or so, but at least for now it is political suicide for anyone in politics to try to do anything with our military retirement system.

What is more likely is a temporary freeze on our yearly cost living adjustment raises. AirForce Times just had a big write up on all the potential cost cuts that were/are being discussed.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

My son, who just completed his third year in the Army and had planned to make a career of it, told me on the phone last night that he's seriously thinking of getting out once his enlistment is up because of this. I can't blame him. Why would anyone with a lick of sense put in 20 years of being shipped all over the place, giving up time with their loved ones, getting thrown into horrible situations, and basically treated like crap, and then have nothing to show for it?

If they're going to make cuts in the DOD, they'd better start with the fancy-schmancy folks in the Pentagon and their $600 toilet seats, THEN work their way down. And the boots on the ground should be the very last targeted for cost-trimming, if they have to be part of it at all. :madface::madface::madface:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

It's actually the bean counters in Congress not the Pentagon as far as I understand that are recommending the cuts.

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What they don't take into account is that your average service 'family' is required to uproot every few years to a new location. My wife (accountant) for example has to find new work at each new location, so she may end up leaving one good position for another less paid because of a new set of orders.

Not being able to set roots anywhere is a negative we as military members experience, of which the 20 year retirees make as a sacrifice for that pension. Sure we get BAH, but I can't purchase a home at each new base I get sent to, so after 20 years of military service i'd finally settle down and buy one, unless of course I have no pension then, in which case it was all for nothing. I for one as a new NNCP'r and prior enlisted person will not be continuing my enlistment past my current contract should this go through.

I believe in the future they'll continue to have plenty of fresh recruits who come for the GI Bill as I and many others have, yet they'll have a very difficult time retaining anyone after that. The military and military lifestyle simply does not pay well enough to stick around for that time frame without some pay off.

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deftonez, I'd agree that moving could be a downside... many feel it is an upside. Your opinion is its been a downside for you, I know many where it has been a huge positive and have more military friends with multiple houses then civilian friends.. I believe it is dependent on every person's situation / preferences.

The beauty is we all can make the decision and ultimately choose a route towards based on our own personal choice of what is important to ourselves.

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