To help U.S., veteran benefits should be cut, vet says
Still getting emails on Sunday's column, "Fixing America Needs Contributions From Everybody." Here's one from Paul Belz, an Army reservist and insurance agent who is surprised that his military Tricare health plan requires no premium contribution from him.
He wrote to the magazine of the Military Officers Association of America, he says, and suggested that retired officers ought to contribute a little more in the way of premiums, co-pays etc. The response was very negative, he said. Here is his entire email:
Hi, Jay..
I found that recent article very interesting...!I have a good example of your point...
I am a 62 year old, retired Army Reserve Officer (part timer)..still working..I sell Property and casualty insurance...I receive a small pension for my service, and get Tricare health insurance.
.
I pay NO PREMIUM for Tricare..I have NO CO-PAYS, then a 25% coinsurance , to a max expense (like a deductible) to $3,000 out of pocket..It is very generous...!!Recently, I wrote a letter (to the editor) of an organization that I belong to..the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), suggesting that we, as retirred officers, ought to be willing to contribute a little to the whole "address the debt'"situation...perhaps pay some premium, accept co-pays, etc..
In Feb, 2011, my letter was included in the magazine..
In subsequent months' letters to the editor... membership OVERWHELMINGLY responded that they vehemently opposed ANY contribution/resolution assistance
..i.e.reduction in benefits..They state that they HAVE EARNED the bennies, and don't want to give up anything..!!These are retired OFFICERS..often higher ranking officers from all branches...Many were active duty soldiers, who retired after 20 years of active service. They receive 50% of their pay at retirement (75% after 30 years..!!!!!!!!)...Many...most have gone on to second careers ..often in government..where they secure another pension..etc etc..
I was, quite frankly, quite shocked...a bit unnerved, actually....at the LOUD opposition to any suggestion that they "contribute" in a positive way to the country's dire underfunded pension/benefite/entitlement crisis..
It really concerns me..!! .....If EVERYONE does not wake up, prepare to be affected..and legislators craft a comprehensive resolution that affects everyone....be sure all participate in some way,....we are in deep trouble....!
Paul Belz
Comments
Thank you for your honest and realistic assessment. Mr. Belz.
Posted by: Michelle Brown | October 7, 2011 8:38 AM
That is a typical example of why the deficit and debt are so bad. No one wants to cut what they get. They're fine with cutting what everyone else gets, just not theirs because they "earned" it.
Until that attitude changes, we'll just keep spiraling downward.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 7, 2011 4:19 PM
I agree, and when every man and woman in the US serves a mandatory military tour, then I'll even chip in. It seems unfair that only 2.1 million men and women in uniform are unfairly bearing the burden of maintaining our freedom, when you think about it like this, now, wouldn't you agree?
Posted by: Chuck | October 7, 2011 8:27 PM
First, off, very few benefits are earned. The only ones that earn anything are the veterans WHO HAVE FOUGHT for their country, not the desk jockey who sat around for 20 yrs.
Second, cut entitlement programs such as welfare and project housing.
third, cut government pay and pensions. Its insane to think the government has higher salaries and pensions than the private sector.
fourth, 30 to 48 cents a dollar is wasted by the government. Billions have been found to "just dissappear" and no accountability for the terrible, wasteful spending.
Fifth, government is the problem, get out of the private sector and every Americans life.
Sixth, I've worked for the government and I see the waste, so go to hell with all due respect. Cutting my benefits because you cant budget yourself.
Posted by: Paul | October 27, 2011 1:07 PM