Opinion: Better reserve retirement plan long overdue

[unhappycamper]

Better reserve retirement plan long overdue

It’s about time Congress approved a more generous retirement plan for the reserve component. I don’t understand the Pentagon’s objection that it would result in soldiers getting out early. I don’t think officials realize how many more soldiers will choose to stay in now that the new retirement plan is approved.

As for the soldiers who might leave early due to the new plan, I think it is an injustice to make someone serve until age 60 so he can be without a gap in extra income.

Also, there are many soldiers who are not able to serve up to that age. Think about the soldiers who joined when they were 18. Does the Army expect them to serve for 42 years so they can be without a gap in extra income?

If they were to retire after 20 years, that soldier would be without an extra income for 22 years. The gap between receiving drill pay and retirement pay can be a huge burden for soldiers and their families.

With the new retirement plan, more soldiers will choose to serve the 20 years and beyond. It will also give soldiers an extra incentive to volunteer for mobilizations and to extend mobilizations.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_opinion_reserveretirement_080114/