New Plan Aired for RC Retired Pay

A bipartisan plan proposed by Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., would use a new system to give retired Reserve Component (RC) members retired pay before they reach age 60 (gray area reservists). Under the plan, the age a Guard or Reserve member would begin drawing retired pay would be reduced by one year for every mobilization period of 179 days or more since Sept. 11, 2001, with a minimum commencement age of 50. The Defense Department is expected to oppose the plan, as it has other plans to reduce RC retirement age. One factor in the opposition is that improved RC retirement could siphon off individuals who otherwise would pursue active-duty careers. The new plan is one of many pending amendments to the Senate version of the fiscal 2006 defense authorization bill, which has been in limbo since July.