Survivor Benefit Plan Message from BGEN Bob Clements, USAF, ret

Since 02-08-03

From:   WASP188@aol.com
Date:    2/8/2003 5:00:47 PM

Comment:
Probably one of the worst cases of "in your face" spousal abuse was generated by the Department of Defense and sold to Congress.

When the spouse of a retired service member reaches age 62 after the death of the sponsor, the survivor's benefit is reduced from 55% to 35%  This in the face that many of our public servant's spouses receive  as high as 100% of the sponsors retirement benefits, including Social Security.

This humiliating and sometimes financially catastrophic action occurred when there was little opportunity for service members to contact their members of Congress except by snail mail. In the meantime the ever trusting service member was shafted as the service Chiefs and Secretaries of Defense rolled over and played dead to the whims of an incumbent administration and Congress.  Don't worry, we'll take care of you....

Well today, things are different. The tables have turned.....The dog has learned how to wag it's tail... You can be heard, and felt,  if you will take the time ( about 5 minutes a day out of your life) to do something.

MOAA has provided a toll free number to contact your representative in Congress.

Active duty.. please participate in the effort along with retirees because your turn is just down the road....sooner than you think. One day you is and the next day you ain't...  Don't wait until your spouse turns 62 or you are history to take some action.  The need is now and the time is now.

Do something.

As we proved gaining Tricare for Life, which is a benefit for ALL retirees and without a doubt the best healthcare  program that any citizen of the United States has, bar none, you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home and you don't have to go to Washington to participate...

Members of The Military Coalition are making this one of their key efforts during 2003.

For instance, sparked by retired Major General Sid Novaresi, the Department of the California Council, Reserve Officer's Association, will introduce a Resolution in support of revamping SBP that will be forwarded to the National Organization for needed action. The national organization of the Reserve Officer's Association is a member of The Military Coalition that numbers 5.3 million members. That is a huge lobby....if we learn  how to use it..

This act of spousal abuse that targets the spouses of retired military members, who have been retired for what ever reason, needs to undergo transformtion by Congressional action....

Again, if you feel your spouse is worth 5 minutes a day out of your life, do something.......make that call...the toll free number provided by MOAA is listed below...

Don't know who your members of Congress are so you can make that call?  Go to
http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm

***attached also is a copy of SBP coverage****

chk6
bob
 

SBP BILL INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE

Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL) has introduced H.R. 548, a bill that would eliminate the Social Security offset to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity.

Currently, military widows who are eligible for Social Security see their annuity drop from 55 percent of the covered amount of retired pay to as low as 35 percent when they turn 62.

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) reported that H.R. 548 is similar to legislation offered last year, but makes several significant changes.  The bill would speed up the phase-out of the SBP offset over a five-year period, compared to 10 years in the earlier legislation.

To lower initial costs, a one-year open season provision is included to allow non-enrolled retirees the chance to join the improved Survivor Benefit Plan. The new bill would be effective Oct. 1, 2004.  The benefit for survivors age 62 and older would increase by 5 percent per year per year until the offset is fully eliminated on Oct. 1, 2007. 

According to the MOAA announcement, H.R. 548 has attracted 118 original  co-sponsors, and a Senate bill is expected to be introduced in the next few days.

Another bill that may be of interest is H.R. 36 (Bilirakis, R-FL) and S. 249 (Clinton, D-NY), which would allow qualifying survivors to retain Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if they remarry after the age of 55.

Members of the military retiree community are reminded that they can make their views known on any bill of interest by using the MOAA toll-free line at (877) 762-8762.  Ask the operator for your representative's office.
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Submitted,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(Ret)