Content Manager posted on May 10, 2010 16:14
Support HR 208 and S 831 Early Retirement Correction
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act included an early retirement provision, but its eligibility started on January 28, 2008. Over 600,000 who served since September 11, 2001 were unfairly excluded. The law from the FY 2008, NDAA reduced retirement by 90 days for every 90 days of mobilization in support of a contingency operation, since 28 JAN 2008.
HR 208 in the House, and S 831 in the Senate, would correct this, extending eligibility for earlier retirement to those who have served since 9/11/2001. HR 208 and S 831 have strong support in Congress. You can assist in moving this legislation forward by writing your Congressional delegation today and ask for their co-sponsorship of these bills.
Members of the Active Components of the United States Military Services are eligible for an immediate annuity upon attaining twenty years of creditable service. Members of the Reserve Components wait to receive their annuity until age 60.
Over the last 20 years, the contributions in support of Active Duty missions by both the Guard and the Reserve have increased substantially. During the War on Terrorism Reserve Component members have gone into harms way. With the roles and missions of the Reserve Component drastically changed to an operational reserve force Congress changed the reserve retirement system to allow for operational support. Correcting the eligibility date back to 9/11/2001 is necessary.
The expense of this corrective provision is recognized, scored by CBO at $2.1 billion over ten years, and the available mandatory funds for offset dollars is hard to find. With any excess of funds being spent elsewhere, it is only reasonable that Congress remembers and recognizes the sacrifice and service of the Guard and Reserve members who have mobilized, serving this country in war.
We ask that you write your Congressional delegation today in support of H.R. 208 and S. 831. AUSN strongly endorses H.R. 208, the Parity for Patriots Act (142 Co-sponsors), introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), and S. 831, National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009 (28 Co-sponsors), introduced by Senator Kerry (D-MA) with Senator Chambliss (R-GA) as original cop-sponsor, along with Senators Collins, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roberts, Pryor, Whitehouse, Isakson, Lautenberg, Lieberman, and Johnson.
This component of military members and their families have constantly given to the defense needs of this nation. All Active Duty members have sacrificed through their service. However, over 750,000 Reserve Component members have answered the call from the Department of Defense to place their civilian careers on hold, to leave their families (just like active duty members), and deploy in support of contingency operations, and the war zones of OIF/OEF. Over 195,000 reserve members have made multiple deployments.
Even in the face budgetary problems - should these reserve component members sacrifice be ignored. We do not believe there efforts should be ignored. Ask your Congressional delegation to co-sponsor these bills - TODAY!