Military Family Legislative Action Guide - (Page 21) MoAA’s ReceNt WiNs FoR You Change is possible if enough members of the military family pull together. Over the past few years MOAA and The Military Coalition have secured benefits and obtained new ones. With your help, we can make even more progress. Here’s a sample of what we’ve already accomplished: • Won cumulative 46.1% pay raise for active duty/Guard/ Reserve forces since 2000 (extra $7,000 a year for an 04 in 2007). • Secured additional funding for child care, family support and other quality of life programs. • Won extended health, dental and housing coverage for survivors of members who die on active duty. • Achieved plus-up of tens of thousands of troops to ease deployment stress on families. • Won $500,000 in lump sum death benefits for survivors of members killed on active duty. • Secured $50M a year in aid to school districts serving military children. • Won 60% increase in active duty GI Bill benefits. • Won lifetime TRICARE and pharmacy coverage for military retirees and family members age 65 and older (previously military lost coverage at age 65). • Obtained permanent TRICARE eligibility for drilling Guard/ Reserve members and families (no more having to switch on and off of TRICARE). • Defeated Pentagon proposal to raise TRICARE fees $1,000 per year for retired officers. • Reduced or eliminated deduction of VA disability pay from military retired pay for retirees with severe or combat-related disabilities (saving up to $25,000 per year). • Repealed Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity reductions for older survivors and won SBP coverage for all active duty deaths ($20,000 per year for an 0-5’s spouse). • Doubled survivor education benefit eligibility period (20 years after death on active duty vs. previous 10). ReceNt WiNs MOAA’S RECENT WINS 21
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