OS wrote
"Other countries, sadly for them stuck in the Eurozone, have already cut pensions (including Armed Forces ones) by large %ages, and Greece looks likely to do so again. If our government don't sort out our economy (and they are making a dog's breakfast of it at present) then they will end up doing the same.
So, savings must be made. The Armed Forces are too large for a small Country under no external threat whatsoever (wars-of-choice don't count here) and have to be reduced. It's hard-hearted to dismiss those within a gnat's tit of an immediate pension, but frankly that's going to save the most money".
I'm afraid old snowy that cutting pensions close to IPP is not the most cost effective (as stated in my last post) as the maths have been done on this. It is the easy option for the MoD as they have been given a pot of money to do so (unconnected from the pension pot or wages pot). Where did the Govt get that from? It can't just be magiced up from nowhere so is an additional burden on the overall defecit. Allowing individuals to run out AT IPP (given the choice at a manning control lever like redundancy) and not going to EDD, thus recieveing pension, is much more cost effective. Wages, severance grants, terminal grants and other benefits are saved. The MoD didn't do this as it was all too difficult. Easy option is not sensible option and it will happen again in T3 & 4; unless you find a voice...
However, your logic is sound in downsizing. Nobody in the cohort contests this and all are happy to go understanding the need. I guess we just want our money.