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While a bill that would have paid retirees a dislocation allowance
to cover moving costs when they separate from the military didn’t
get through Congress, the bill’s sponsor promises to keep pushing
for it.
Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., wanted the military to dole out the same
dislocation allowance that is paid to active-duty members moving from
one duty station to another, saying the retirees’ service entitled
them to the benefit.
The dislocation allowance covers incidentals that range from fees
for breaking rental agreements to home rental deposits to or cash
for utilities or rental security deposits.
But priorities on the nation’s cash stymied the bill’s progress through
the House Armed Services Committee, said Jones’ spokeswoman, Lanier
Swann.
“Military retirees are one of [Jones’] top priorities,” Swann said.
“He has 60,000 … in his district. It’s something that will stay on
the radar screen and something he will continue to pursue, possibly
reintroducing it.”
If the bill is reintroduced, it won’t be until the fall session, she
said.
The dislocation allowance is one benefit active-duty folks overwhelmingly
embrace, said Cory Wilson, a spokesman with the Fleet Reserve Association,
which recently conducted a survey on the issue.
While out of reach for this year, FRA will continue to lobby for the
bill’s passage, Wilson said.
“We will continue to push for it, no doubt about it,” said Wilson.
“… But if you look at budget constraints this year, there are other
priorities in Congress.”
Retiring members aren’t eligible for dislocation allowances, even
though they encounter similar relocation expenses and some experience
a reduction in pay, he said.
Since 1955, active-duty personnel changing duty station have received
the dislocation allowance.
According to the FRA’s survey, 97 percent of active-duty members polled
said they believe there is a need for a dislocation allowance for
retiring members.
Survey results indicated that upon retirement, 88 percent of those
surveyed planned to move 50 miles or more from their final duty stations,
and 56 percent predicted their out-of-pocket moving expenses would
exceed $3,000.
Preliminary numbers show 55,319 members retired from service in fiscal
2003, 27,400 in fiscal 2002 and 37,000 in fiscal 2001.
FRA conducted the Web-based survey in November to collect data and
support to help Jones push his bill through Congress. More than 1,000
active-duty personnel participated, ranging in grade from E-1 to O-7.
Roughly 80 percent were enlisted personnel, with 56 percent of those
ranked E-5 through E-7.
As of Jan. 1, the allowance rate ranges from $692.28 for E-1s without
dependents and $1,063.99 with dependents to $2,819.31 for O-7s and
above without dependents and $3,470.55 with dependents.
“The survey results are pretty compelling,” Wilson said. “It shows
that in the fleet and among military persons, it’s a very important
issue and one that needs to be addressed.”
