OPEN LETTER TO RUSS FEINGOLD 

The Honorable Russ Feingold
United States Senate
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4904

Re: S 1008 - The Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009

Dear Senator Feingold:

I urge you to cosponsor S. 1008, the Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009. This bill would limit recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive from service members subsequently receiving retired or retainer pay.

If a service member accepts a separation benefit for early retirement but later reenlists and qualifies for military retirement pay, DOD is forced to recoup the separation benefit by deducting a portion of their retirement. The repayment formula is unfair and needs to recognize the current economic climate as well as the sacrifice our military is making to protect our freedom.



S. 1008 would provide DoD with some flexibility to develop manageable monthly payment plans that do not impose undue financial hardship on service members. In addition, it would cap the amount that DoD is allowed to recoup at 25% of a veteran's retirement pay each month.



It is imperative during this time of war that we not punish our service members returning to protect our freedom by taking large portions of their pension.



Please cosponsor S. 1008, and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Further please strive to have S. 1008 included in the 2010 NDAA during the Joint Committee that will be appointed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.

Respectfully,

Don "Boots" Jensen
Sergeant United States Marine Corps 1973-79