US military pensions in question
Pentagon board recommends controversial changes to pension system in bid to tackle nation’s debt.
Published On 31 Aug 2011
Long before the first bullet was fired in World War II, the US government made a deal with its military – serve 20 years and receive a pension worth half of your pay.
Since then, it has been an untouchable political promise. President Barack Obama has called it a “moral obligation”.
But given the nation’s debt, it may not be an obligation that the US can afford to keep.
Having studied the matter, a high-level Pentagon board is recommending changes to the system that will affect those currently serving in uniform.
Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane reports from Washington.
Source: Al Jazeera