Modifying Military Retirement: Alternative Approaches
Abstract
The military retirement system consists of a number of separate programs providing benefits to different categories of military personnel and their survivors. By far the largest is the program that provides retired pay for active-duty personnel who complete "full careers" and retire without disability. It includes 1.1 million out of a total of 1.4 million retirees (the rest are disability retirees or survivors) and accounts for over 80 percent of the overall cost of military retirement. This study focuses on that program, commonly referred to as the military retirement system. Critics of the retirement system charge that it costs too much, is too liberal in its provisions, and is in conflict with efficient military personnel management policies. This study considers alternative systems that would respond to these criticisms. One requirement of any retirement system, however, is that--in conjunction with other pays and allowances for uniformed personnel--it must be adequate to meet the military's unique needs. Accordingly, this study assesses the alternatives not only from the standpoint of costs but in light of how they would affect service members' willingness to pursue military careers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA530805
Entities
People
- Ed Shephard
- Marvin M. Smith
- Neil M. Singer
- Stephanie A. Martin
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office