Smart Military Money - Latest Comments

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

zed — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:33:44 -0000

A change we need to make is with the government
pension plan and benefits. It needs to go more toward a 401k or similar plan as
more organizations have already done. The older pension plans private or public
are outdated and running companies into the ground. I will have a similar effect
on our government (federal and state pension plans).

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

zed — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:20:09 -0000

Congress recent increases:
Notice how it was contained durring the Clinton administration and the Obama administration vs where it went with the "conservitive" George W. Bush administration.

AS A NOTE: Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to
determine its own pay. Pay adjustments can be enacted through stand-alone
legislation or through a commission process, but most commonly member salary
increases are implemented through an automatic annual adjustment process in
which members receive an automatic “cost of living” allowance increase.

The salary increase takes effect on January 1 of each year unless Congress
votes to decline it, though individual members can opt to decline an automatic
annual pay increase. Both houses of Congress voted not to raise member salaries
for 2010 or 2011.

Some Congressional Salary History:
Note: House leaders earn more.
Since 1990 to 2003 congressional pay has increased from $98,400 to $154,700, mostly during Republican president Bush;
2013 - To be determined.
2012 - No pay increase.
2011 - No pay increase;
2010 - No pay increase;
2009 - 2.8 percent raise, bringing the annual salary to $174,000;
2008 - 2.5 percent raise, bringing the annual salary to $169,300;
2007 - No pay increase;
2006 - 1.9 percent raise, bringing the annual salary to $165,200

A look at U.S. Per Capita Pay vs Congress Pay:
2009: Per capita, $39,138 - Congress pay, $174,000
2008: Per capita, $40,166 - Congress pay, $169,300
2007: Per capita, $39,392 - Congress pay, $165,200
2006: Per capita, $37,698 - Congress pay, $165,200
2005: Per capita, $35,424 - Congress pay, $162,100
2004: Per capita, $33,881 - Congress pay, $158,100
2003: Per capita, $32,271 - Congress pay, $154,700
2002: Per capita, $31,462 - Congress pay, $150,000
2001: Per capita, $31,145 - Congress pay, $145,100
2000: Per capita, $30,318 - Congress pay, $141,300
1999: Per capita, $28,333 - Congress pay, $136,700
1998: Per capita, $27,258 - Congress pay, $136,700
1997: Per capita, $25,654 - Congress pay, $133,600
1996: Per capita, $24,442 - Congress pay, $133,600
1995: Per capita, $23,262 - Congress pay, $133,600
1994: Per capita, $22,297 - Congress pay, $133,600
1993: Per capita, $21,385 - Congress pay, $133,600
1992: Per capita, $20,799 - Congress pay, $129,500
1991: Per capita, $19,818 - Congress pay, $125,100

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

JackholeDiary — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:10:40 -0000

Background on the 25% BASE increase campaing speil and why ColA for Disabled Veterans is tied to SS. For many years/ decades VA Disablity pay was not adjusted at the same rate as Military or SS rates. And goodeness knows NONE of us 47% "entitlement" peeps are gettignt he yearly raise % that congress gets. Well over those decades it is estimated that the rates for Service Connected disabled Veterans was "short changed" by about 25% of base. A couple well heeled in how to use the Veteran votes hoodwinkers decided to run on a platform of raiseing Disablity base rate by 25% (this was about 10 years ago not recently by the way). They played thier dog and poney show got reelected then conveniantly forgot about that whole equalization promise. They did however decide that they would put forth the idea that from hence forth have the Disablity and SS rates tied to the same rate (By the way the rate is not based on Cost of Living for SS or VA Disablity it is based on wage rates for the US and those have fallen dramatically over the last 10 years.) The change to using the same rate as SS was ONLY approved because it was put forth in a year when the wage rates had fallen so drastically that there would not be a increase for multiple years. So when you hear news that they are planning to "change the formula" again it will be because the wage rate increases and they want to change back to the old way that undercut us. Current rate based on wage rate changes I think it is actually a secritary's rate in LMI that is used but I would have to reread it to remember exactly which O-Net job code it is that is used I know it is under office administration.

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

Eliz — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:21:35 -0000

A person who is 50% rating currently makes $797/month. With a 1.7% increase they will make $810/month. How do they expect anyone to survive? How do they live with themselves? I want to see congress live on what I make a month. They wouldn't be able to make it week on that and I have to live an entire month on it.

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

Eliz — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:18:17 -0000

Forget trying to buy a truck or boat. A 1.7% increase for those who have a 10-60% disability rating is BARELY enough to buy ONE MEAL A MONTH. How does these idiots sleep at night?

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

Eliz — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:12:01 -0000

I will gladly take your share of the increase. I NEED it. I DESERVE the increase.

The C&P raters(they have NO medical training at all) only gave me 50% disability but the VA DOCTORS who treat me say I cannot work at all due to what happened to me when I was in the military through no fault of my own. The doctors are the ones who have been to medical school and should be the ones who determine whether or not someone is disabled and to what percentage, not some person with NO medical background. I want to see those "raters" live on the $797 I get a month to live on.

I did my job and now it is time for the government to do its job!

Re: 5 Red Flags on Credit Card Offers

woodlawn — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:43:06 -0000

i called my credit card company and requested they drop my annual fee- they did because i have raised my limit from 300 to 1100 $ because of consistent good payment history- you have to call , they want to keep your business

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Judith2304 — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:51:40 -0000

Thank u all for all u do for us I really appreciate it happy Veterans Day

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Chris Prior — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:39:29 -0000

I hate to say it, but when I returned from Nam, I was actually spit at.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Kris — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 12:35:35 -0000

subway is not honoring any special offer on Veterans Day. Sad

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Sarge — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:59:07 -0000

I totally agree. It was not a good time in our history.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

ksvet06 — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 10:15:28 -0000

When my unit arrived at the airport on our way home from Baghdad we were greeted by a group of vietnam veterans that wanted to welcome us home. They were in tears and expressing that they didn't want us treated like they were. This group of fine individuals went out of their way to welcome us home and escort our bus to the welcome home ceremony. It made me think of the horror y'all went through while returning to an ungrateful nation. On behalf of my family and friends i want to say i am sorry for what our nation did you veterans and issue you a well over due thank you for your service to this great nation we all call home.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Melanie Robinson — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 11:49:29 -0000

Kenneth,
I am SO SORRY that you were treated poorly upon your return. I can't even imagine what it must have felt like to live through the greatest horror of the human condition (war) only to return home to be spit upon and reviled.

A free meal or a parade isn't enough. Remembering your service once or twice a year isn't enough.

But please know that my two young children (2 &5) are being raised to love and RESPECT those that serve. They will know what happened and they will make sure it never happens again. Too little, too late I know...but its something.

Thank you for serving.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Kenneth Leland — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:04:23 -0000

I truly can;t understand why any Vietnam Veteran would except anything free from any of these businesses. After 50 years all I want is an apology from the greatest generation who sent us to Vietnam, then turn there backs on us when we returned.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Ronald — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 07:09:47 -0000

Thank you veterans, and all the great places, who have given to this Veterans Day. God Bless this Nation.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

gus910 — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 04:18:24 -0000

THANKS TO ALL VETS WE ARE FREE NOW FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE..

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

jane — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 04:11:23 -0000

thank you applebees for the free meal .i was in army and it is good to see you honor us

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Kevin Strickland — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:00:26 -0000

Thank you to all my fellow veterans and all those who are still serving may god bless all of you.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

CoachCartier — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:59:56 -0000

Thx for honoring us!! #ProudVet #ARMYSTRONG

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Elmer Vaupel — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:58:10 -0000

Thank you for remembering us.

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

thswldo — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:13:50 -0000

Thank you very much for the posting..

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

Sandy Hart — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:34:18 -0000

Thank you!

Re: Veterans Day 2012 Military Deals and Discounts

KENSLADY — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:11:33 -0000

THANK YOU

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

LarryG — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:01:05 -0000

I wonder what all those in congress are getting for an increase. When we didn't get anything for 2 years, you know they got theirs. Not the way its supposed to be. They work for us. We fought to keep them free. When did they lose track of that? I give up.

Re: Update: Congress Approves COLA Increase for Disabled Veterans

LarryG — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:49:48 -0000

Really? Why then did he bypass congress and other branches of government to inplement laws and appoint persons to position without the proper approvals. He did this many times. He called it "out of session" appointments or some other hogwash. Now who has the fundamental lack of understanding anything Obama does?