Double check your military paycheck & Update on Government Shutdown

While a government shutdown was averted late Friday, many military families and federal employees breathed easier about a paycheck potential this week.  Given the last minute resolution, many officials had prepared paychecks to reflect one week's worth of pay rather than two.  When you receive your paycheck, it is important to double-check your statement and make sure that it is accurate.  According to Bryant Jordan's article on Shutdown Fear Could Split Troop Paychecks, the Defense Finance Accounting Service will make payment; however, it may be two separate paychecks.  The first will reflect April 1 - April 8 and then April 9 - April 15 according to Paycheck Chronicles.  This affects active, reserve and guard.  Retired are not affected by this government shutdown because trust funds are in place to finance those checks.  By the way, the freezing military pay for three years is false according to snopes.com as this was a recommendation met with high opposition before it was shelved.

The outcry from the military community is rising.  Many go paycheck to paycheck and are scared about financing their mortgages, car payments, medical bills and other bills such as credit cards, child care costs and other.  The average age of military personnel affected by all of this is in the 24-35 years of age.  Various comments include demands for elected politicians to take a paycut, the negative reaction of military spouses who are not 100% sold on this military life, and requests for people who want to cut military pay to go do the job themselves.   

Amazingly, there is great patriotic support for our military and its families from so many people.  A single soldier fighting in Afghanistan appreciated the remarks and outcrys from many as this countered his hurt at serving his country.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY and WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS go a long way for these brave men and women deployed in a combat zone.  Many military spouses are rallying to support their loved ones as well as those military members deployed without the support of family and friends.  For example, the Women's Auxiliary is sending supplies and notes of thanks to deployed servicemen and women, and for some, this is their only mail.  How wonderful that we reach out to our fellow countrymen willing to put themselves in harm's way regardless of politics.  A 29 year serviceman commented that this no pay is a disgrace to those who put their lives on the line. 

The Ensuring Pay for Our Military of 2011 is drawing attention on Facebook as well as military writers such as Rich Maze of Army Times (Shutdown hurt military families).  Bill proposal by Rep. L. Gohmert of Texas is receiving interest and over 5,000 people have liked it on Facebook.  H.R. 1297 Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act 2011 has 153 sponsors as it was posted on March 31, 2011. 

While politics will work itself out over time, the immediate concern to many is how will I meet my current financial needs?  The military is reviewing ways to offer financial help to those families who have mismanaged their finances and/or need help to make payments.  While this is new and in process, it is important to wait and see what evolves in the next week or so regarding the government shutdown. 

Setting aside all the hurt, added financial stress and uncertainty, you will survive this challenging time.  If anything, it is a character-building time to revisit how you manage your personal finances and determine what changes should occur for the next time this government shutdown occurs.  Even if the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011 passes, it is no guarantee of future challenges with your personal finances. 

A word of caution:  be certain that who you talk to about your finances is legit.  Fraudulent activity is high especially targeting military personnel and their families. 

Copyrighted 2011 by Stephanie Arredondo

Please see Military Families Affected by Government Shutdown and No Pay if Government Shutdown Occurs.