NGAUS Legislative Alert; 13 Feb 2012

The Issue: Preserving the FERS Annuity Supplement for Mil-Techs

Immediate Action Required: Contact your Representatives to urge them to preserve the FERS Annuity Supplement for National Guard Mil-Techs by supporting a floor amendment to H.R.3813 scheduled to come to the floor in the House of Representatives on February 15th as part of the Highway Bill or H.R. 7.

Unless amended, H.R.3813 would eliminate the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) annuity supplement for National Guard Military Technicians (Mil-Techs) as defined by section 10216(a) of Title 10 and for all other all federal employees except those who are recognized under Sec. 4 (B) of H.R.3813 to have a mission of protecting the public. H.R.3813 will come to the floor for consideration on February 15th as part of the Highway Bill, H.R.7.

The FERS annuity supplement is currently payable to federal employees who retire before attaining the eligibility age of 62 for Social Security. It is particularly critical for the transition into retirement of our Mil-Tech population who generally must retire at age 60.

Sec. 4(B) of H.R. 3813 does make an exception that preserves the FERS annuity supplement for public safety employees referenced in 5 USC 8412(d)-(e). Included in this exempt group are law enforcement, Capitol or Supreme Court Police, fire fighters, nuclear materials courier, customs border protection officers, and air traffic controllers.
Unfortunately and unfairly, the exemptions in Sec. 4(B) exclude our Mil-Tech population who do as much or more to protect our public in a far more dangerous environment than the current exempt class. As citizen soldiers Mil-Techs wear the uniform daily as federal employees administering and training the National Guard while being ready to serve frequently in domestic and contingency operations.

Since 2001, the National Guard Mil-Tech population has served when called as part of the domestic, state-level security force and a vital part of the major federal component in U.S. combat power for overseas operation. The last ten years of war as well as disasters such as Hurricane Katrina have demonstrated to our country that the National Guard Mil-Techs are an indispensable element in our national security and disaster response forces.

Mil-Techs deserve the FERS annuity protections that Sec. 4 (B) would afford other public safety employees.

Please write your Representatives now to urge them to act immediately on or before February 15 to support a floor amendment to HR 3813 to preserve the FERS annuity supplement for Mil-Techs.