Pay raise, benefits changes become law

[unhappycamper]

Pay raise, benefits changes become law
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 1, 2008 5:33:48 EST

President Bush’s signing of the revised 2008 Defense Authorization Act Monday put an end to confusion about the Jan. 1 military pay raise, jump-started bonuses and special pays, and set the stage for major upgrades in personnel programs and benefits.

Some changes made by what is now Public Law 110-181 will be felt immediately. The 3.5 percent all-ranks pay raise is retroactive to Jan. 1 and will appear in mid-February paychecks. Enlistment, re-enlistment and specialty bonus programs that lapsed at the end of the calendar year will restart.

Beginning Jan. 28, mobilized National Guard and reserve members are eligible to receive retired pay 90 days earlier than the current age 60 for every 90 days of service. Because credit is received in 90-day increments, nobody could retire under the new policy until late April, but current mobilizations in support of contingency operations count toward earlier retirement.

Also immediately effective is a new policy making reservists without dependents eligible for housing allowances while in recruit training. Previously, this was limited to reservists with family members.

Any combat veteran will be immediately eligible for up to five years of post-service medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs without having to prove a service-connected medical need, three years more than previously allowed.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/military_authbill_080131w/