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Wilson Renews Call for Expanded Benefits for National Guard and Reserve

February 25, 2009
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2009

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, issued the following statement today calling on President Barack Obama to support expanded health care and retirement benefits for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers. During his address to a Joint-Session of Congress last night, President Obama said, “to keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned.”

Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008, National Guard and Reserve members are able to receive early retirement benefits prior to the age of 60 based on their mobilization for operations overseas. This bill provides that for every ninety days of mobilization, three months of credit will be given toward retirement. Current law only accounts for active duty service that has occurred since the enactment of the 2008 NDAA. Active duty service prior to that date is not counted toward this early retirement credit system.

Congressman Wilson has introduced legislation to expand retirement and health care benefits for Guard and Reserve members:

  • H.R 208, the National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act, amends the date of enactment of the credit system to September 11, 2001, which would cover all the Guardsmen and Reservists who were mobilized and honorably served our nation in the Global War on Terrorism.
  • H.R. 972, a bill to allow Guard and Reserve members to begin receiving full TRICARE benefits at the same time as their early retirement benefits.

“President Obama has made it clear that he shares a desire to expand the retirement and health care benefits for those who serve this nation in uniform,” said Rep. Wilson. “Since the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11th, more than 600,000 National Guard and Reserve members have been mobilized to serve in the War on Terror. These citizen soldiers have grown from a strategic reserve to an operation force that has seen combat overseas. Their service and sacrifice should be counted.”

“I look forward to working with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to address this issue and others that pertain to our Armed Forces and the courageous men and women who serve.”

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