By the Numbers - Sept. 19, 2016
$56 billion.
The amount paid, in FY 2015, to roughly 2.3 million military retirees and survivors, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report (available from the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy) -- Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments.
Some officials have "viewed military retirement as a place where substantial savings could be made, arguing that the military retirement compensation is overly generous relative to pension systems in the civilian sector," particularly since "active duty military personnel become eligible for retirement at a relatively young age." According to the report, the "average active duty non-disability enlisted retiree is 42 years old and has 22 years of service at retirement while the average officer is 45 years old and has nearly 24 years of service at retirement."
Others, however, "have argued that past modifications intended to save money have had a deleterious effect on military recruiting and retention."
Military retirees, families, and veterans’ service organizations closely monitor potential future changes to the retirement system. When considering alternatives to the current system, Congress may choose to consider the balance between budget constraints and the needs and concerns of this constituent group.
$56 billion.
The amount paid, in FY 2015, to roughly 2.3 million military retirees and survivors, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report (available from the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy) -- Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments.
Some officials have "viewed military retirement as a place where substantial savings could be made, arguing that the military retirement compensation is overly generous relative to pension systems in the civilian sector," particularly since "active duty military personnel become eligible for retirement at a relatively young age." According to the report, the "average active duty non-disability enlisted retiree is 42 years old and has 22 years of service at retirement while the average officer is 45 years old and has nearly 24 years of service at retirement."
Others, however, "have argued that past modifications intended to save money have had a deleterious effect on military recruiting and retention."
Military retirees, families, and veterans’ service organizations closely monitor potential future changes to the retirement system. When considering alternatives to the current system, Congress may choose to consider the balance between budget constraints and the needs and concerns of this constituent group.