Concerned... Miltary Retirement, VA Disability

[btcave]

Do you think there will be money for VA disability in the future?

How about military retirement?

I collect combat related disability at 30% and will collect my Army National Guard retirement at the age of 59. I'm 41 right now. I'm relying on that retirement as part of my overall retirement income. I'm not sure our government will be able to pay when I get there.

What thinks you?

[Richard Simmons]

My best guess is if we still have social security we'll still have military retirement and disability pay. If we loose SS then all bets are off.


If anything I could see them re-evaluating disability claims and trying lower them or drop them all together. Same applies to SS disability.

[AK_Apostle]

Because of the times I see the bastards doing away with good and proper programs as well as welfare programs so they can have more money for themselves and their buddies to ripoff.

[63DH8]

Anything to do with Veteran's issues is a hot topic. It would be a death sentence to any politician's career if they meddled with it in any negative way. We're too large of a voting block.

[swampdragon]

Anything to do with Veteran's issues is a hot topic. It would be a death sentence to any politician's career if they meddled with it in any negative way. We're too large of a voting block.

I hope you're right.
I collect a full retirement and partial disability too.

[coppertales]

a re-evaluation of my disability trying to get it increased. I am getting deafer than a stone. It is taking awhile because they are tracking down medical records going back to the early 70s. I have my fingers crossed.....I am now on social security and I am too deaf to get a part time job. So far, I haven't needed one yet.....chris3

[ltorlo64]

While I hope our military retirement remains intact, about 15 years ago my wife and I started some Roth IRAs so we would not have to rely on it. My life will be much better if we have the military retirement, but I will be alright if we don't. Since our military retirement is an unfunded part of the budget, we decided it was a good idea to not put to much hope on it.

[Tiredofit]

I'm always worried about this. My disability is a decent part of my income and I don't know if we could make it totally without it. We could make it but not comfortably.

[noelpitt]

It's an awful story if a veteran wouldn't receive any benefit after retirement. However, Military veterans face some hardships once they get out of the service, one of the biggest being just trying to land a job. Unemployment is higher than normal for vets, but the good news is that a number of employers are hiring veterans (http://personalmoneynetwork.com/moneyblog/2012/11/13/hiring-veterans/).

[ltorlo64]

It's an awful story if a veteran wouldn't receive any benefit after retirement. However, Military veterans face some hardships once they get out of the service, one of the biggest being just trying to land a job. Unemployment is higher than normal for vets, but the good news is that a number of employers are hiring veterans (http://personalmoneynetwork.com/moneyblog/2012/11/13/hiring-veterans/).

The numbers don't seem to agree with that statement. Veterans are about at the same place, if not slightly better than the rest of the country.(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm)

BTW, welcome to the board!

[TEN-32]

The numbers don't seem to agree with that statement. Veterans are about at the same place, if not slightly better than the rest of the country.(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm)

BTW, welcome to the board!
When the US pulled out of Iraq, I helped organize a "welcome home" event. Sort of a hometown heroes throwdown with music, food, politicians, etc. One of our primary focuses was prospective employers to help with job placement. Its a big problem trying to transition from combat duty to civilian life and a 9-5. The skills the military teaches don't always readily translate...met some awesome young warriors and had a very satisfying afternoon.