Dick Arendt responded as quoted below, and then the topic was locked on Anthem Today, so no more communications were possible. It is not clear why Dick insists on openly complaining about the Congressionally-mandated military compensation system, or why he is insulting me by calling me a “crybaby” for just trying to correct his many errors and omissions.

But, even if Dick does not understand, or if he sincerely objects to having to help pay for the system as it exists, the history of the Congress (under both political parties) shows that the federal government does not spend a dime more of public funds for the military and reserves than it is forced to do so. Otherwise, it would not get the minimum number of volunteers and careerists needed.

For over 200 years it has been a constant battle to get The Congress to properly care for the military it sends to fight the government’s wars. The members of Congress have a long track record of making flowery speeches during election campaigns and on certain holidays, and then systematically failing to follow through on its sacred duties for the veterans and their families.

In fact, the Congress is still shamefully short-changing the benefits to disabled military members and their families after they return with war zone injuries. In addition, the millions of dollars of compensation granted to the surviving family members of 9-11 civilian causalities compare shamefully to the few thousand granted to military family members of war causalities.

In short, Dick and any others interested in this topic, can rest assured that retired military and reserve members are quire well aware of the differences between military and civilian retirement systems. All have served for one or two decades under both systems. And every one I know feels strongly they well-earned the benefits they receive.

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DICK ARENDT said on Anthem Today: “Bob, Stop the cry baby routine—and take a reality check.

There are a number of items about which you have not completely informed individuals, much like the style of “the other guy.

First, you mentioned that following 20+ years of service, the retirement income is approximately one half of normal pay. What you did not mention is that it is collectible IMMEDIATELY.

In the private sector, one might qualify for a retirement plan following 10 years of service; however, there is a VERY BIG DIFFERENCE at that point. Normally you are not allowed to collect full benefits until normal retirement age which in the private sector, is age 65. At that point in time, the benefit received is dependent on the formula used in the plan.

Military and government pensions are defined benefit plans which predetermine a benefit dependent on income earned. Very rarely are these plans available any longer in the private sector due to the HIGH COST OF MAINTAINING and FUNDING THEM.

To simplify the explanation, if one is earning $10,000 p/month at the point of retirement and the DEFINED BENEFIT is a monthly retirement income of 50% of pay, than a sufficient amount must be accumulated at that point of retirement. This is based on an annual deposit, interest rate, and life expectancy. If the individual retires at age 45 years for example and the BENEFIT IS COLLECTED IMMEDIATELY, then funding for that amount is based on probably paying out a benefit for a 30 year period as life expectancy is about age

Without the discounting factor plus the interest rate earned on the funds, that would mean it would take approximately $60,000 p/yr X 30 years of life expectancy or $1,800,000 to merely fund ONE PERSON’S PUBLIC SECTOR PENSION BENEFIT. (The cost to provide benefits for females is HIGHER due to their longer life expectancy, and increased monthly retirement benefits due to Cost of Living increases also add greatly to the price tag in order to provide the benefits as well.)

In the private sector these plans are now all but nonexistent. The plan of choice now is a 401(k) plan whereby the INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE MAY TAKE A VOLUNTARY REDUCTION IN PAY to save for retirement. In the past, corporations would match part of employee contributions, but in today’s world, those matching amounts, due to the poor economy and their being A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYER, are now ALL BUT NONEXISTENT. The cost of providing such plans, other than administration, to an employer is therefore, NEGLIGIBLE.

In addition, with 401(k) plans, any withdrawal prior to age 59.5 years incurs a 10% income tax penalty PLUS the ACTUAL INCOME TAX PAID. Since “income averaging” is no longer available in our tax system, it therefore becomes A VERY DISASTEROUS SITUATION IF YOU WITHDRAW YOUR OWN FUNDS prior the age of 59.5 years. There are a few exceptions, but most people do not qualify for them, and any loans taken against the plan, ARE LOANS, must be repaid at an interest rate, and if unpaid, the funds then become taxable income. In addition, RARELY, if EVER, are these loans repaid, and the end result is LITERALLY A PAULTRY RETIREMENT SUM.

So, at this point, the retirement system AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND RETIRED MILITARY IS FAR GREATER THAN ANY BENEFIT AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR…and trying to make a case for an even reduced benefit due to a “net take home” was humorous. Does that mean you should be exempt from federal income tax on that benefit as well? Those in the private sector certainly don’t have that availability, and our retirement benefits are taxable just like yours causing the same reduction in “net take home” pay.

Next, let’s talk MEDICAL CARE. To my knowledge retired military receive FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE BENEFITS OR LIFE. Not bad, when one considers that in the private sector, IF RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL, they are only PARTIALLY SUBSIDIZED and RARELY IS DENTAL COVERAGE AVAILABLE. For example, when I retired and sold my insurance agency, part of the package was a provision for a partial subsidy of medical and dental coverage. As of January, 2011, MY CONTRIBUTION IS $18,000 P/YEAR, a 20% INCREASE FROM 2010, DUE TO OBAMACARE.

<p>In addition to those facts, over the past number of years, many large companies have merged or been acquired by other firms, and do you know the first benefit DROPPED by the new owners in most cases?
<p>RETIREE MEDICAL.

Then there are medications. Retired military need merely to go to a veteran’s hospital or clinic and receive MEDICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE, while those in the private sector often pay deductibles and HIGH CO-PAYS FOR both GENERIC AND BRAND NAME DRUGS.Once again, not a bad deal for retired military individuals.

<p>Third, there is the opportunity of RETIRED MILITARY TO PURCHASE MANY ITEMS AT BASE INSTALLATIONS at a substantially lower cost than THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT MUST RELY ON COSTCO OR SAM’S CLUB for their discounts. Then there is NO SALES TAX on purchases made by RETIRED MILITARY whereas the rest of us have to pay 8.1% in addition to the higher price.

In summary, as usual, there is always MORE TO THE STORY, and very often, when someone CONDEMNS as he and his dear friend did, perhaps when it comes to the BENEFITS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE and PAID BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THEIR ENTIRETY, one should not complain as much as the colonel.

If he would like to trade his package with the normal one available to PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES, I’m sure he would have a lot of takers.