Pension justice for troops

[pete d]

done

[Barry69]

done on FB

[wally15]

done mine 15

[Rog Ball 01]

I have aswell folks.

[jcj]

The age at which members of the armed forces claim pensions could rise from 55 to 60 under government reforms.

The Ministry of Defence says the changes are necessary to ensure pension schemes for military personnel are affordable and sustainable longer term.


http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...onProposed.htm

[Gwyn Nicholas]

The way I read this ( and I hope i am wrong), is if a retired serviceman/woman has not yet reached 45 years of age, their "Normal pension age" will now be 60. Surely that cannot be right and in breach of contract to those whom have completed their service.

[sid burns]

Gwyn I read it as you do! I think they are just hoping we die before we get to 60 just to save some money!!

[Rog Ball 01]

The way that I am looking at it is:

On retirement after doing the requesite years or more you will get a pension at the lower age, as happens now.

At 60 you will get the full pension, which is given to you at present as it is now, 55.

Regards

Roger

[Bob Bacon]

Members of the Armed Forces will be forced to work two years longer, and accept a smaller pension, after the MoD announced a new retirement scheme yesterday.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...-pension.html#

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I had nor realised that the pension age had changed to 18 years fo a soldier over 40 from the original 22 years from my time. Having read the Army MOD site I am a little better educated. It would seem that they are moving back to the old system albeit 20 year service rather than 22 and moving the goalpost for a full pension from 55 to 65 (67).

Sid mentioned and I agree, that the age change will save the Government huge amounts of money as it is petty well known and accepted, that a large percentage of soldiers die younger than pension age. It would be interesting to see if somebody wth influence or accredited will come up with some facts and figures to put to the PM and question the morality of such a decision. Perhaps Lord "Paddy" Ashdown may be worth an approach.

For those interested (not teaching Granny etc)

My time (1994) Serve 22 years (regardless of age) receive lump sum + monthly pension. Also permitted to commute part of pension to increase lump sum and reduce monthly pension. Lump sum and comutation is Tax free. Pension is index linked though no rises are seen in monthly pension until the age of 55 when a Full pension becomes available. In my case my pension increased by approx 87 percent over the fifteen years.

Now it appears, that you can leave after 18 years (40+) with a lump sum and a pension but have to wait until 65/67 to get the rest. Swings and roundabouts I suppose ie early finish and hope you make it to 65/67. For me, this is not morally right as many will not have many years to enjoy the fruits of their labours and some wont even get there. Shame on these penny pinching - pin striped morons.