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There is still time, but we must act NOW! The FY2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was a welcomed first step to improving reserve retirement pay in 60 years! Unfortunately, the law that emerged from conference negotiations applies only to service “after” January 28, 2008, which unfairly excludes the otherwise qualifying service of so many Guard men and women who answered the call following September 11, 2001.
Several pieces of pending legislation that would correct this inequity have stalled because the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scored cost of $2.1 billion over ten years ($210 million/year) requires that new mandatory spending be offset by a reduction in another program.
However, as the House considers the 2010 Emergency War Supplemental, an option exists that a “one time” appropriation of $2.1 billion could resolve this issue. But, the language must be included in the House version of the bill to be considered during conference negotiations.
The justification for this request is that early retirement credit is a “direct” cost of war, since only the men and women who have served in combat or stateside presidential emergency response receive credit. And, by their service, these Soldiers and Airmen have already made their “deposit” to the appropriate retirement fund, which is the annual source of military retirement pay.
The time to act is now! Since the Senate has completed their work on the war supplemental and the House hasn’t, contact your Representative and urge him/her to actively support an amendment that would fund retroactive early retirement credit for the Reserve Component to 9/11/2001.
TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
By
using the “Write to Congress” feature provided below, you can
IMMEDIATELY e-mail your elected representatives. A sample letter is
included in our “Write to Congress” feature. You can e-mail the
pre-written message or edit the sample letter as you desire. This is
the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to
Congress. Also, contact your friends and family and urge them to “Write
to Congress” as well. For more in-depth information and background
visit our web site at http://www.ngaus.org/.
Please direct any questions concerning this issue to Pete Duffy, NGAUS Deputy Legislative Director, at 202-454-5307 or email: pete.duffy@ngaus.org.
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