Military Retirement: Background and Recent Developments

Abstract

The military retirement system is a government-funded, noncontributory, defined benefit system that has historically been viewed as a significant incentive in retaining a career military force. The system currently includes monthly compensation for qualified active and reserve retirees, disability benefits for those deemed medically unfit to serve, and a survivor annuity program for the eligible survivors of deceased retirees. The amount of compensation is dependent on time served, basic pay at retirement, and annual Cost-of-Living-Adjustments (COLAs). Military retirees are also entitled to nonmonetary benefits including exchange and commissary privileges, medical care through TRICARE, and access to Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities and programs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 06, 2017
Accession Number
AD1024463

Entities

People

  • Kristy N Kamarack

Organizations

  • Congressional Research Service

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accounting
  • Active Duty
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Federal Budgets
  • Financial Management
  • Governments
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Law
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Health
  • Social Security

Readers

  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.