Cut Military Retirees' Benefits?

[Accountable]

I received the following in an email this morning. I'll make my comment in the next post.

OPPOSE CBO TRICARE RECOMMENDATIONS DON’T DELAY

The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) was aware that Senator McCain (R-AZ) had supported a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) proposal to the Super Committee that would bar military retirees under age 65 from participating in TRICARE Prime.

NCOA has now learned that the CBO recommendations to the Super Committee includes other drastic budget cutting proposals to the TRICARE program that if adopted would shift a significant financial burden on TRICARE beneficiaries. These additional government cost savings recommendations include:

- Imposing a new annual enrollment fee for TRICARE Standard equal to 28% of the DOD cost to provide care. This requirement could result in a beneficiary cost of $1,500 for a single retiree to $3,000 for a retired family barring any secondary payments by TRICARE for beneficiaries who have civilian workplace health insurance.
- Raising the Catastrophic Cap on out of pocket expenses from the current $3,000 to $7,500 per family.
​

NCOA has also seen support of McCain’s recommendation from Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), in correspondence to the Super Committee. Their individual letters are a marked departure from both the House and Senate Armed Service Committees adamant past opposition to proposals to increase beneficiary costs for TRICARE.

CBO estimates a potential savings of more than $100 Billion over 10 years. The savings would result from military retirees being financially driven out of the TRICARE program.

CBO fails to consider that military pay was capped over the years which resulted in reduced military retired pay. Nor does CBO consider that these same military personnel have carried the burden of military service including war time service and sacrifice. They represent only 1% of the population that has served in the military.

NCOA recognizes that the Nation is faced with economic crises and asks your support to communicate opposition to imposing incredible cost and possible loss of TRICARE health benefits to countless retirees.

NOW is the time to communicate with your elected officials. The Super Committee must make their recommendations by November 23, 2011 and the House and Senate will have to vote on them by December 23.

 

[Accountable]

I spent over 20 years of my life in the military, trained to go to combat if necessary, but I was lucky enough - partly because of the jobs I held, partly because of timing - to never have seen combat. So, stripped down to the facts without the hypotheticals, my military service was not more than a really cool job that allowed me to see the world.

While I do believe that the gov't should fulfill promises made, I'm realistic enough to know that unforeseen circumstances happen. For me (and I don't know how many people had a similar military experience) adjusting the retirement benefits would be a pain in the butt and feel unfair, but is understandable given the current economy and fairly easily manageable.

But for people that have been in combat, including security police in their duties, we owe it to them to make sure they are taken care of with the highest quality care. Making these cuts across the board would be wrong. Combat vets should be exempt from them.

 

[Johnfromokc]

I
While I do believe that the gov't should fulfill promises made, I'm realistic enough to know that unforeseen circumstances happen. For me (and I don't know how many people had a similar military experience) adjusting the retirement benefits would be a pain in the butt and feel unfair, but is understandable given the current economy and fairly easily manageable.

Totally understandable to cut off working class Americans in tough times. Wouldn't want the top 1% to sacrifice now would we?

 

[Accountable]

Totally understandable to cut off working class Americans in tough times. Wouldn't want the top 1% to sacrifice now would we?

Gee, what would you have said if I had bitched & complained & said I deserved to get everything I've got and more? You've got that other one about living off the government waiting in reserve just in case. I know because you've used it before.

I'm not saying I like the situation. I don't hear ol' John saying that Congress ought to sacrifice a little, for instance. I wasn't making a global comment on what ought to be, only that I would be willing - well, at least not bitch too much - to give up something I've earned but that my brothers-in-arms who have sacrificed more should be taken care of

 

[Johnfromokc]

Gee, what would you have said if I had bitched & complained & said I deserved to get everything I've got and more? You've got that other one about living off the government waiting in reserve just in case. I know because you've used it before.

It is easy for you to say you'll take a little less when you are also receiving health care and retirement from the federal government, have additional health insurance available from the state of Texas, and will receive an additional pension from the state of Texas.

And you know what? I have no problem with you recieving what was promised to you if you did what was contractually required to earn it - the government is now legally required to fulfill their obligation.

What I called you out on before was your statements concerning the working class taking cuts and cutting earned government benefits from public employees when you derive 100% of your income from the government.

I'm not saying I like the situation. I don't hear ol' John saying that Congress ought to sacrifice a little, for instance. I wasn't making a global comment on what ought to be, only that I would be willing - well, at least not bitch too much - to give up something I've earned but that my brothers-in-arms who have sacrificed more should be taken care of

"Ol' John" says congress should be a part time job with part time pay and they should get no more than rank and file federal employee benefits. The federal legislature has granted itself pay and benefits far above that of the average federal employee.

I have a massive problem with the working class giving up what they have earned while the fat cats of society give up nothing. Why the hell should we have to sacrifice while their incomes increase?

 

[Accountable]

It is easy for you to say you'll take a little less when you are also receiving health care and retirement from the federal government, have additional health insurance available from the state of Texas, and will receive an additional pension from the state of Texas.

Yes. Me, personally. That is who I specified and the only person I mentioned.

And you know what? I have no problem with you recieving what was promised to you if you did what was contractually required to earn it - the government is now legally required to fulfill their obligation.

Really?? You certainly seem to enjoy taking the piss then.

What I called you out on before was your statements concerning the working class taking cuts and cutting earned government benefits from public employees when you derive 100% of your income from the government.

What statements? Quote them, please. They should be easy to find since I've only made one post in this thread.

"Ol' John" says congress should be a part time job with part time pay and they should get no more than rank and file federal employee benefits. The federal legislature has granted itself pay and benefits far above that of the average federal employee.

Wrong ol' John. I was talking about McCain, not you. Sorry for the mixup.

I have a massive problem with the working class giving up what they have earned while the fat cats of society give up nothing. Why the hell should we have to sacrifice while their incomes increase?

We're not talking about society in this particular thread. At most we're talking about Congress and the military. We agree here. I'd love to rewind time a day or two and post "Why the hell should I have to sacrifice my benefits while Congress keeps theirs?" and watch you chatise me for wanting my socialized medicine.

 

[Johnfromokc]

Really?? You certainly seem to enjoy taking the piss then.

How'd ya guess that? If you would be a little less defensive and pay closer attention to what I post, you'd already understand that I have no problem with a worker bee actually getting what his employers promised him or her.

What statements? Quote them, please. They should be easy to find since I've only made one post in this thread.

Other threads where you have made statements about cutting public employee pay and benefits - like the Republican Judgement thread - not this one.

We're not talking about society in this particular thread. At most we're talking about Congress and the military. We agree here. I'd love to rewind time a day or two and post "Why the hell should I have to sacrifice my benefits while Congress keeps theirs?" and watch you chatise me for wanting my socialized medicine.

Well I am talking about society - thats where we live. And I'll never chastise your socialized health care because I want 100% of Americans to have the same health care YOU have.

 

[Stone]

Totally understandable to cut off working class Americans in tough times. Wouldn't want the top 1% to sacrifice now would we?

Wealth envy, much?

 

[Johnfromokc]

Wealth envy, much?

Intellectual envy much?

I bet you are like those TEA Party dip shits that are one job loss from forclosure, yet hold out hope that lowering taxes on the wealthy and cutting Social Security and Medicare for the masses will somehow make your misreable existence more tolerable.

 

[Stone]

Intellectual envy much?

I bet you are like those TEA Party dip shits that are one job loss from forclosure, yet hold out hope that lowering taxes on the wealthy and cutting Social Security and Medicare for the masses will somehow make your misreable existence more tolerable.

Looks like I really struck a nerve

 

[Johnfromokc]

Looks like I really struck a nerve

It's true isn't Stone. Can you survive a job loss and keep your house?

 

[Accountable]

You boys go compare penis size somewhere else. If you want to comment about McCain's proposal to abandon our veterans, I'd love to read it.

 

[Johnfromokc]

You boys go compare penis size somewhere else. If you want to comment about McCain's proposal to abandon our veterans, I'd love to read it.

Can't always control thread drift.

And McCain is a fucking asshat and should have retired 10 years ago. If we are going to send our troops to fight for the profits of the military industrial complex, then the military industrial complex should be taxed to pay for the medical care and benefits those troops earned.

 

[Accountable]

Can't always control thread drift.

And McCain is a fucking asshat and should have retired 10 years ago. If we are going to send our troops to fight for the profits of the military industrial complex, then the military industrial complex should be taxed to pay for the medical care and benefits those troops earned.

Just a little more drift, then. McCain is a damned scarey example of just how powerful the forces in Washington are ... for him to go through all that hell in Viet Nam and be able to distance himself from today's soldier so much.

 

[Joe the meek]

If you want to comment about McCain's proposal to abandon our veterans, I'd love to read it.

In life, no one owes you anything.

My heart goes out to you if you need to find a job after putting 20 in.

I just got my disability insurance cancelled and had to pick it up on my own dime, who should I go complain to?

 

[Stone]

It's true isn't Stone. Can you survive a job loss and keep your house?

I'm retired with no debts.
I'm living comfortably on Social Security that you have to fund _

 

[Johnfromokc]

I'm retired with no debts.
I'm living comfortably on Social Security that you have to fund _

I figured you were a hypocritical old geezer.

Yeah - you talk shit about Socialism but cash that Socialist check every month. Medicare is a nice program too, isn't it?

And ya know what? I don't begrudge your hypocritical ass collecting SS or receiving Medicare.

I'm happy for you. I hope you live long enough to spend several of those golden years in a Medicare nursing home bitching about Socialism. :thumbup

 

[Stone]

I figured you were a hypocritical old geezer.

Yeah - you talk shit about Socialism but cash that Socialist check every month. Medicare is a nice program too, isn't it?

And ya know what? I don't begrudge your hypocritical ass collecting SS or receiving Medicare.

I'm happy for you. I hope you live long enough to spend several of those golden years in a Medicare nursing home bitching about Socialism. :thumbup

Thanks for the kind words, johnny

 

[Johnfromokc]

Thanks for the kind words, johnny

You're welcome dipshit.

 

[Stone]

You're welcome dipshit.

Good one