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Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson and a bipartisan group of Senators in a letter today urged Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to safeguard the military retirement program for those currently serving and not follow a recommendation to replace it with one that would reduce service members’ benefits, and jeopardize military retention.

The Defense Business Board, the Department of Defense policy advisory group, has recommended replacing the established military retirement benefits with a private-sector 401(k)-type plan. This would significantly reduce benefits to service members and their families.

“The proposal by the Defense Business Board is a non-starter,” said Senator Webb.   “In my view, there are other more appropriate areas of defense spending that offer greater potential to achieve savings than the military retirement system.  Our career military professionals’ conditions of service are not comparable to working in corporate America.  While there may be some areas where the present system could be improved, any proposals to do so must be very carefully considered in terms of their possible unintended consequences on today’s military, including recruiting and retention.”

“We recognize that deficit reduction is essential, yet balancing the budget and curbing costs in the U.S. Department of Defense by cutting retirement benefits to those now serving is patently unfair to our military members and their families, said Senator Nelson. It jeopardizes the retention of our nation’s all-volunteer force and undermines a promise made to those now serving our nation in harm’s way around the world.”

Senators Webb and Nelson are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Webb currently serves as the Personnel Subcommittee chairman. Nelson, chairman of its Strategic Forces Subcommittee, chaired its Personnel Subcommittee in the 111th Congress.

The letter to Panetta also was signed by Senators James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Dianne Feinstein of California, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Mark Begich of Alaska, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Daniel Akaka of Hawaii.

The Senators’ message about safeguarding military retirement also is supported by the Military Officers Association of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Full text of the Senators’ letter to Secretary Panetta follows (also available here):

The Honorable Leon E. Panetta, Secretary
U.S. Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We are gravely concerned about recommendations proffered by the Defense Business Board with regard to America’s military retirement, primarily those recommendations altering and/or cutting the military retirement benefits which our career military members who are currently serving our great nation have been promised and are relying upon to assist with their retirement needs.

While deficit reduction is essential, balancing the budget and curbing costs in the U.S. Department of Defense by cutting retirement benefits to those now serving is patently unfair to our military members and their families and puts in jeopardy the recruitment and retention of our nation’s future all-volunteer force.  We have heard from countless veterans and constituents asking that Congress do the right thing by ensuring that these important benefits are not pulled out from under those who are working hard for what they have been promised.

The current retirement system is a considerable enticement in preserving a career voluntary military force, and any proposed changes must be calculated in that light.  Many of our constituents have stated that the current retirement system was a major factor in their decision to choose to serve, or to continue serving in uniform.  Contrary to the belief of some, military service is not comparable to the private sector; and a retirement system that works for a civilian career may not necessarily be appropriate for the military.

On this subject, you have said, “People who have come into the service, who have put their lives on the line, who have been deployed to the war zones, who fought for this country, who have been promised certain benefits for that – I’m not going to break faith with what’s been promised to them.”  We believe, as do our constituents, that we must follow your lead and ensure that our government upholds the promises we have made to our military.

Certainly, Congress will be looking to you regarding cuts in defense spending; yet it is our worry that some members will also look to these recommendations by the Defense Business Board.  We encourage you then to ensure the security of America’s military by relaying to Congress your deep commitment that our nation not undertake any detrimental changes or reductions in military retirement for those who are serving.  While our nation must cut spending and balance the budget, we simply cannot do it on the backs of America’s military and their families.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.  Please be assured we will assist you in this effort in any way that we can.