How much of budget is spent on veterans retirement ?

[kentuck]

Unlike workers in the private sector, who have to work until 67 or longer, before they can get their SS, veterans can get their retirement as early as 38 or 39 years old. Many of those have never seen combat. Many are in desk jobs, such as the Air Force, but when they retire after 20 years, they get a handsome pension. Is it fair to raise the retirement age on hard-working Americans and let military continue to get by on this gravy train? I know this is an "untouchable" subject but it seems unfair to me.

Shouldn't there be some exceptions made for veterans that have seen combat or have medical problems and those that have spent 20 years at a desk just like an easy day job? But, they say they were "promised" those benefits. Well, so were the SS retirees.

[RobertSeattle]

1. Here is some info

I believe the total cost of all military retiree costs are around 26 Billion the last time I read something about it - which is a little less than the total pay costs of the active forces.

I have often wondered if some ballsee politician would recommend PRIVATIZING military retirement pay... (You know, since it is such a great thing...)