I left the forces in '73 with my DFRB. This money was taken from our wages, therefore it is SELF FUNDED and should come under the same ruling as civilian personnels super funds.
I am still a serving member, having deployed to the Middle East three times in the past 5 years. I am surprised that the government has "overlooked" such an issue that impacts so greatly on past, and current ADF members.
I served 20 years from 1960 to 1980 with a tour of Vietnam. I'm appauled at this situation when in fact DFRB/DFRDB was a contibutery superannuation as I be;lieve it to be.
As daughter of ex serviceman, Iam appalled at the goverments treatment of them an it's ABILITY? to play with their pension which they themselves contributed to without any input from the Defense forces.Where is the excess money that went from the Super fund into the Goverments pockets? Is the goverment excempt from paying back borrowed monies? Are they going to pay intrest on it as well with the intrest rate varing as it has done over the years.
As with any other change of Govt policy, DoFA requires a Cost Benefit Analysis. Has Treasury underetaken a Cost Benefit Analysis specifically looking at the impact of this policy change on DFRB/DFRDB recepients?
Live and work OS. Still pay tax in Aust b/c of DFRDB. Why not forget about annual payment and pay the whole thing out at min tax rate ( or none). Dont forget about the families in all of this as they also supported us and thier country as well.
Because my DFRDB pension is under $20,000 I do get what i pay into the tax man every year but i can also see that some peoplke Of higher rate would be paying tax so i support this petition
The only scheme that will be properly maintained is the politicians. We have done our bit for our country and now we are cast on the woodpile. Good on you Messrs Howard and Costello, it is a shame you have not done the same.
What more can we say. Politicians and Truth ----an oximoron. Information passed to me indicates:- 1997 Government Legislated to index Social Security Pensions and Veteran Affair Service Pension Indexation at CPI or MTAVE whichever was the GREATER. Never happened!! I dare say the Federal Pollies would have there windfall indexed to the MTAVE, considerably greater than CPI !!
The DFRDB pension after 22 years service is barely adequate to live on these days as it is due to "real value" erosion, which will be made worse by this apparently discrininatory proposal. All ex-ADF personnel, especially those with active service (I'm not one of them), or their surviving spouses deserve better. Indexation through CPI linkage alone also requires review.
20 yrs RAAF, Vietnam Vet,a chance for Govt to deal justice to those who willingly served in peace and war thinking that there service was important enough to deserve fair and just treatment.
Wife of Ian, Army TPI who served from 11 Mar 1963 to 21 Mar 1991, 28 years.He paid 5.5%of our meger wage into DFRDB so it was funded.taxed in and taxed out.
I seem to recall that around 72, GP CAPT Dixie Chapman had to resign for having written a detailed article in The Canberra Times exposing the devious way the Govt of the day neatly pocketed the DFRB funds. Perhaps a research wiz could find it - it may have some worthwhile ammunition.
Totally support -despite an unfavourable tax ruling on same issue in 2005 for same reasons prior to last budget announcements. They interpreted the legislation to suit the unfavourable outcome for DFRB/DRFDB Pensioners.
21 years RAN, Give us a fair go, polly's do 6 years get free air travel big payouts etc, we do 20+ years and get bugger all! Wheres the fairness in that.
