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Fifty years ago, AFSA paid homage to one of our Military Coalition Partners, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), in recognition of its 40-year anniversary. Half a century later our relationship with this valued Hill partner remains as strong as ever. Happy 90th birthday, FRA!


AFSA THEN & NOW 1964


1974


Thirty years ago, an Association survey found that eight out of 10 respondents believed ex-spouses should not be entitled to half of their military retirement pay. The survey was conducted by AFSA to assess member views on the recently enacted Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act.


1984


Twenty years ago, emerging from a budget battle victorious, AFSA celebrated a protracted but successful effort to eliminate an existing disparity between military and federal civilian retiree COLA start dates. After a year- long effort, AFSA convinced lawmakers to allow military members to receive their 1995 COLA at the beginning of April like their civilian counterparts— verses Oct. 1, which law at the time prescribed.


80% 1994


2004


Beginning in December 2014 and payable in January 2015, the COLA will be 1.7 percent for military and federal retirees, Social Security recipients, and those who receive benefit checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs.


2014 4 www.hqafsa.org 101 ⁄2


Forty years ago, in his message to AFSA members, then- President Mike Hammer noted:


“The price of peace, as we’ve learned on so many occasions, is eternal vigilance. We in the United States Air Force—you and me, and our families— understand this, and while we may be separated from loved ones this Christmas time, we suffer it willingly because we recognize that true peace is still not with us.” Hammer went on to express his appreciation for the men and women serving not just in the Air Force, but in our sister services as well. His words about the state of the world and our appreciation of those who have or are serving in uniform still ring true today. So we’d like to take this moment to wish each and every one of you a happy holiday season, and a peaceful New Year.


Ten years ago, military retirees were beginning to reap the rewards of Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), but many of those eligible seemed unaware of the program. So we launched an aggressive outreach effort to raise awareness about this valuable benefit that AFSA helped obtain the year prior.


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