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 Radical overhaul of military retirement eyed
By Sharyl AttkissonCBS News investigative correspondent
www.cbsnews.com
August 15, 2011
WASHINGTON - The military retirement system has long been considered untouchable - along with Social Security and Medicare. But in these days of soaring deficits, it seems everything is a potential target for budget cutters. A Pentagon-sponsored study says military pensions are no longer untouchable - they're unaffordable.
CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports high-level, closely-held meetings are taking place at the Pentagon regarding a radical proposal to overhaul retirement for the nation's 1.4 million service members - a bedrock guarantee of military service. The proposal comes from an influential panel of military advisors called the Defense Business Board. Their plan, laid out in a 24-page presentation "Modernizing the Military Retirement System," would eliminate the familiar system under which anyone who serves 20 years is eligible for retirement at half their salary. Instead, they'd get a 401k-style plan with government contributions. They'd have to wait until normal retirement age. It would save $250 billion dollars over 20 years. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office says it's very important that the military attack its retirement issues. "We're talking about an underfunding that starts to look like hundreds of billions of dollars in the next 20 years. And if you want to maintain the core mission which is to defend the nation and have the strategic capabilities we need, we can't have all their money tied up in retirement programs." Advocates say the new system would not only save money -- but would also be fairer. It would give benefits to those who serve less than 20 years. Right now, they walk away with nothing. And it would give more money to those in combat or high risk situations. The proposal leaves a lot of blanks to be filled in, including whether to exempt current service members so their plans won't change. CBS News spoke to some active duty troops who agreed costs must be cut - but worry the number of experienced soldiers will dwindle with no incentive to stay enlisted for 20 years. The proposal is in early stages and would require Congressional approval. But it's clear that military retirement is no longer untouchable. A Pentagon spokesman said the military retirement system "is a fair subject of review" but no changes will be made "without careful consideration." |
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Tax DayU.S. Individual Tax Returns are due for the 2011 taxable year on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Your tax documents must be postmarked or eFiled by midnight on April 17, 2012 to avoid a late penalty. This is also the deadline to file for a 6-MONTH tax extension to "file" your tax return forms - but you must pay the full amount of tax you owe on or before April 17, 2012 - the "extension" is only to allow you to "file" your paperwork as late as October. If you estimate how much you owe, and send that money in, on time (April 17) the IRS will either refund any overpayment, or notify you of any amount still due. If you still owe more money, that amount is subject to "late-payment fees + interest". Simply stated, send in MORE dollars than you estimate you might owe, file your paperwork when ready, then wait for a refund.
Traditionally, the personal income tax deadline is before midnight April 15, however this date is often adjusted by the IRS by a few days to accommodate holidays and weekends. In 2012, April 15 falls on a Sunday. Tax dollars owed are due Tuesday April 17.
The biggest mistake taxpayers make in filing their Tax Returns are ARITHMETIC errors and plugging info into the wrong "box". Using tax prep software usually solves these problems on the fly. If you're doing your tax returns WITHOUT software, be certain your math is correct to avoid an automatic correction notice, or worse, an AUDIT.
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Renew Memberships Online
At the request of our members, RAUS is pleased to provide the ability to renew their membership online and pay by credit or debit card. Just go to our website at www.raushome.com and click on the Online Dues Renewal button. If you are considering converting to a Lifetime Membership, click on the Membership button and select Life Membership.
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 New Technology Discounts For Members
RAUS has arranged for member discounts to all members in good standing, including spouses and their dependents.
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 About High Blood Pressure
HealthSpring NewsletterSpring 2012
Curious about how blood pressure monitoring got started? Like so many discoveries, the fact that blood puts pressure on artery walls was discovered accidentally. In 1773, Stephen Hales noticed that blood rose and fell inside a tube inserted into a horse's artery. That's the first documented reference to the existence of high blood pressure (HBP). Until the mid 1800s, the only way doctors could accurately read blood pressure was by puncturing an artery. Doctors and scientists knew there had to be a better way. And many are credited with creating monitoring equipment, with varying degrees of success. In the late 1800s, Russian doctor N.C. Korotkoff invented our modern-day monitor: the hard-to- pronounce sphygmomanometer. Korotko ifs creation is one of the most important contributions ever made to the field of medicine. The ability to monitor blood pressure saves countless lives. Do you have HBP?
The importance of a blood pressure check is evident whenever you go to the doctor. It's one of the first things a nurse does as you move from the waiting room to the exam room. Uncontrolled HBP is one of the single biggest risk factors for heart disease, and is a common diabetes complication. But there are no symptoms that let you know you have it. The only way to know is through blood pressure checks. What can HBP do?
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Heart damage, including coronary artery disease and heart failure
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Kidney damage
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Brain damage, including stroke and dementia
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Eye damage, including retinopathy (diabetic eye disease)
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Bone loss
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Sleep apnea
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Left uncontrolled, HBP can cause many problems: How is HBP controlled?
The good news: HBP can be controlled with medicine, lifestyle changes (such as stopping smoking, losing weight, or exercising more), or a combination of these. Sources: A Short History of Blood Pressure Measurement; Mayo Clinic
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 Keep Us Accurate
To be sure your benefits are properly recorded, please advise the association when you change your name or address. If you receive inaccurate membership cards or other correspondence, we want to know. We do not mind reissuing membership cards. |
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Income Tax History
 Federal income tax was first introduced in the United States of America in 1861. A rate of three percent was levied on incomes above $800 per year and the resulting revenue was used to help fund the American Civil War effort. However, income tax was seen as unconstitutional and the law was repealed in 1872. The idea of a tax on personal income, at a rate of two percent, was reintroduced in the Revenue Act of 1894, but the legal status of this kind of tax was still unclear. In 1913, the "Sixteenth Amendment" to the Constitution of the United States was ratified. This cleared the way for the modern income tax system in the USA.
The details of the income tax system have changed greatly since 1913. The top rates of tax have varied enormously and were particularly high during the First and Second World Wars and the Great Depression. Individuals and families with very low levels of income do not have to pay income tax and may receive some subsidy via the tax system.
In 1913 Tax Day, or the filing deadline, was fixed on March 1. However, it was moved to March 15 in 1918 and April 15 in 1955, where it has remained since then. If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a civil holiday, such as Patriot's Day, the deadline is extended to the next working day.
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Membership Dues
| AGE RANGE | LIFE DUES | | 40 or less | $325 | | 41 to 45 | $300 | | 46 to 50 | $275 | | 51 to 55 | $250 | | 56 to 60 | $225 | | 61 to 65 | $200 | | 66 to 70 | $275 | | 70 and up | $100 |
 Annual dues are $10 per year. Discounts apply for multiple year memberships: 3 years for $25 and 5 years for $40. Like memberships are available based on the age of the member at the time of the Life conversion. A Life Membership is exempt of dues increase and covers both the member and the spouse. |
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About RAUS
We are a non-political military association organized in 1970 to secure quality benefits for our members at rates only available to groups. Qualified retired and active members of the United States armed forces and related departments may join.
Membership benefits include discounts and perks, self-help and financial calculators, time-savings and educational resources, along with TRICARE Supplement, CHAMPVA Supplement and other insurance products.
RAUS is partnering with other organizations to establish a long term win-win relationship based on mutual benefits and information available to military families.
For more information, visit our website at www.raushome.com.
RAUS Eligible Defense Departments
* AIR FORCE * ARMY * MARINES * NAVY * NATIONAL GUARD *
* COAST GUARD * NOAA * CIVIL AIR PATROL *
* PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE * COASTAL & GEODETIC SURVEY *
* ACTIVE & RETIRED * OFFICERS & ENLISTED *
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Sincerely,
DONALD T. RUCK, President Retired Association for the Uniformed Services, Inc. Back To Top |
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