[Congressman Jim Saxton - News Release]
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 16, 2005
PR-14-05
CONTACT: JEFF SAGNIP HOLLENDONNER
(609) 261-5801
www.house.gov/saxton
 
Reserve Retirement Bill Unveiled
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Jim Saxton today announced the reintroduction of H.R. 783, bipartisan legislation that would lower the retirement age from 60 to 55 for members of the Reserves and National Guard.

“U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy and Coast Guard reservists make sacrifices to their country and vital contributions to the global war on terrorism and homeland security,” Saxton said. “The nation sees the obvious: Reserves and the Guard are leaving their homes, families and their regular jobs across the country to serve a nation at war. I feel there will be growing bipartisan consensus that the Guard and Reserves need to be treated better when they retire.”

Forty-two Members have agreed to help introduce and co-sponsor the bill, up from 25 original cosponsors in the 108th Congress. The bill has drawn the support of the VFW and other veteran groups.

The bill was introduced to the House clerk Feb. 10. Saxton originally introduced the bill in the House in 2002. In the 108th Congress, it drew an impressive 193 cosponsors. In 2003, New Jersey Sen. Jon Corzine agreed to sponsor and introduce the Saxton bill in the Senate.

The bill would lower the retirement age for those who have served at least 20 years to begin to draw their retirement pay at age 55. Active duty forces have no age restrictions once their 20 years of service is complete. Members of the National Guard and the reservists in the Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Marine and Air Force, would qualify at age 55 for retirement pay based on individual participation in the retirement plan.

“America’s reserve forces are called up to serve more than they were during the Cold War era,” Saxton said. “In Iraq and Afghanistan, we see thousands of Reservists being mobilized to do the same jobs as their active duty counterparts. If they’re doing the same job, in the same place, facing the same dangers, shouldn’t they get similar treatment regarding retirement pay?”

Saxton said improving Reserve retirement pay will have the added benefit of keeping trained personnel within the less expensive, part-time Reserve and National Guard. There are currently 1.4 million members in the various Reserve components.

“Lowering the age will help recruit and retain former active duty people to serve in the Reserve and Guard,” Saxton said. “Active-duty troops are well-trained with the latest equipment. We need to tap that experience. The active duty military can already draw retirement pay after 20 years of service. By improving benefits, we can attract and keep experienced service men and women.”

 
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