washingtonscene
Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) likely will result in proposals to move the military retirement system away from a 20-year cliff-vesting defined benefit and toward a 401(k)-style defined contribution system. MOAA will strive to ensure the military
retirement system continues to provide compensation at a level commensurate with the extraordinary demands and sac- rifices inherent in a career of uniformed service. MOAA will work to ensure Con- gress resists any MCRMC initiatives aimed at “civilianizing” the military retire- ment system by delaying the age at which full retired pay and medical benefits are provided or initiatives aimed at reducing benefits for those who serve a career to fund increased separation or vesting ben- efits for those who choose to leave. MOAA believes such proposals are inconsistent with sustaining long-term retention and readiness during periods of peace and war.
COLA commitments Inflation-protected COLAs are an essential part of the nation’s commitment to protect earned compensation value for military retirees and survivors and other federal annuitants over the course of many years. Proposals to cap annual COLAs below inflation or to redefine and depress the Consumer Price Index for the purpose of geometrically depressing successive annual adjustments would break long- standing statutory commitments to them. MOAA will exert every effort to preserve the congressional intent, as expressed in the House Armed Services Committee print of Title 37, U.S. Code, “to provide every military retired member the same purchasing power of the retired pay to which he was entitled at the time of retirement [and ensure it is] not, at any time in the future ... eroded by subsequent increases in consumer prices.”
46 MILITARY OFFICER JANUARY 2015
Concurrent receipt MOAA strongly supports a plan to phase out the disability offset to retired pay for all disability retired (Chapter 61) servicemembers, with initial priority for those who were prevented from serving 20 years solely because they became severely disabled in service. MOAA will work with Congress, DoD, and the administration to advance this proposal as a further important step toward the goal of ending the offset for all disabled retirees.
Eliminate the SBP/DIC offset MOAA will continue to fight for full repeal of the deduction of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for survivors of servicemembers who died of service-connected causes. MOAA strongly believes when military service causes a servicemember’s death, DIC should be paid in addition to SBP, not subtracted from it. To the extent funding cannot be obtained for immediate, full repeal, MOAA will seek interim steps to extend and substantially upgrade compensation for these most- deserving survivors.
SBP and special needs trusts Current law precludes the payment of SBP annuities to special needs trusts, which Congress established to assist families with permanently disabled dependents. The legal exclusion disadvantages military retirees and their disabled child survivors. Military retirees should have equal access to the law that all other Americans can access.
USFSPA equity Reform the unfair provisions of the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA). Divisible retired pay should be based on a servicemember’s grade and years of service at the time
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96