Military Officer - February 2008 - (Page 19) Im Not Ready Yet some of the inequities. MOAA has been a catalyst for change also. If, however, all we can ultimately give to the families of our reservists is advice, such as offered by Colonel Lawton, to “suck it up” and stop “whining,” I have a real concern for the future of about 40 percent of our all-volunteer force. —Lt. Col. Bobby C. Davis, USA-Ret. via e-mail If thats what comes to mind when you think of moving into a retirement community, now is the time to apply to Knollwood. The wait time for Knollwoods spacious independent apartments is years, not months, so applying now is vital to securing a home when you are ready. Contact us today to learn more about the only continuing care community in our nations capital exclusively for the military family! SBP Pro and Con “Show Me the Money” [“Washington Scene,” December 2007] seems to miss the mark. … For those of us who have been paying [into the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)] for more than 30 years, it is unlikely that our widows will ever collect back what we paid in. —Lt. Col. M. Friedlander, USAF-Ret. via e-mail My husband paid into SBP from 1973 until his death in 1989. I have been receiving benefits since that time — totaling more than a quarter of a million dollars. My lifestyle would certainly have been different without it. I can understand the concern of those who have paid for many years, but one way to look at it: You are still alive — and you have been enjoying your full retirement pay all those years! —Margaret C. Preston San Antonio Plan for your future now, so you can live in comfort later. Knollwood u a military retirement residence (800) 541-4255 www.armydistaff.org 6200 Oregon Avenue NW Washington DC 20015 Editor’s note: Some will never see a personal return on SBP (e.g., if the spouse dies first), but the vast majority of beneficiaries will draw far more benefits than premiums paid in. (Premiums are 6.5 percent of retired pay, benefits are 55 percent of retired pay, and the average spouse outlives the average retiree by seven years.) For submission information, see page 20. FEBRUARY 2008 MILITARY OFFICER 19 http://www.armydistaff.org http://www.armydistaff.org
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