Why should BAH raise if you get married? Why should some people get paid more than others just because they're married?

2014-06-12T23:45:39-04:00

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 11:47 PM

2014-06-12T23:47:16-04:00

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Jun 12 at 2014 11:48 PM

2014-06-12T23:48:01-04:00

Senior

I think BAH should be a set amount regardless of ran for the area.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 1:28 AM

2014-06-13T01:28:56-04:00

Have you ever been married?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 13 at 2014 12:37 PM

2014-06-13T12:37:37-04:00

I ask that you broaden your view, just a little.....as I try to demonstrate a couple sides to the argument.....does it open up the discussion for additional discussionary perspectives? I hope this gives you some perspective to comment. I am very interested in your thoughts.

Argument 1:
We should have equal pay, regardless whether we are married or not, have dependents or not....we're expected to (and get paid to) perform our wartime missions regardless of our family situation.....I am expected to carry a rifle and to engage and destroy the enemy of the United States in close combat.....

Argument2:
It's not fair that everyone gets the same entitlements, when it cost more to provide for a family as opposed to an individual. Married service members pay more for the dental plans, they pay more for "family sgli" and they have additional unique support requirements that single service members just don't have (e.g. child care, additional food cost's additional cost with utilities). Having the same BAH rate is very closed minded and follows the train of thought that we should all live in barracks together, regardless of rank and regardless of marital status. people have different situiations and different needs. Additional BAH for service members with families is not a something to change.

Argument 3:
We enlisted individual Soldiers/Sailers/Airmen/ Marines and Coast Guardmen, we reenlist families....think of all the servicemembers in the services today that were raised in a military family. Those from a military family background typically have more determination and discipline and it is important to encourage our servicemembers to raise families while in the service. To encourage a healthy life, we need to provide a little more pay (BAH) for them as well.

Your thoughts?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 12:41 PM

2014-06-13T12:41:47-04:00

BLUF: Personnel are not "paid" more because they are married. BAH=Basic Allowance for Housing. It's not a pay (and therefore not considered taxable income under the federal tax code). BAH is given to provide housing for dependents. If you are married to a civilian spouse then that person is your dependent (dependent is not exclusive to mean child, you can have an adult dependent). It has been the policy of the military to provide senior leaders BAH at a reduced rate (BAH W/O) to allow the service member to acquire housing for themselves off post on the economy. Otherwise, they live in the barracks on post. *side note, when going thru a separation or divorce, the service member is required to provide an allotment in equal value to at least the BAH to their dependent until the divorce is complete.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 1:05 PM

2014-06-13T13:05:47-04:00

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 2:07 PM

2014-06-13T14:07:08-04:00

Why can you claim more/pay less on taxes if you're married? Same thing - it's an additional expense.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 13 at 2014 2:10 PM

2014-06-13T14:10:41-04:00

SCPO, families pay more in taxes, both in income tax and sales tax. Families also spend more money and therefore improve the economy. And most importantly, soldiers with family are generally more likely to stay in because they need the money, benefits, etc.

I will be getting married soon and my current civilian health insurance (and my wife's) are complete garbage. Therefore we will be paying into Tricare, which will keep your costs down as a single soldier, since we are paying twice what you are. Its not like I would get 2x as much BAH as a single CPT, just a small percentage more.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jun 14 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-06-14T12:01:32-04:00

Senior Chief Nemeth, I have always thought that getting paid more for being married was just plain unfair period. I addressed this question in another thread, but will give a shortened form of that answer here.

I joined the Navy in 1966 and was not married until 1976. My married friends did the same job as me and sometimes had to get off to take care of wifey or kiddy, yet they got more pay and no one questioned where they lived or ate. I usually lived on the ship or BEQ and ate in the Chow Hall (unless I paid out of pocket for something else).

I married, not for the extra money, but because I found the right person. Because I was married, I was allowed to live off the ship with my wife, but still had a bunk on the ship. So I did get more BHA based only on my married status.

ALSO - if a married and single person are stationed in the same area - the Married person gets MORE money - the argument is that he/she "needs more space for the family." NO - not really. Yes, the single could find a small furnished hole in the wall, but he/she deserves the same level of comfort as the married person; that is a true fact.

Bottom line, NO there is really no valid reason for the military to pay more for a married person than a single person. Ask AT&T, Wally World, Google, or any other employer for more money because you are married and they will tell you NO WAY. Yes, I read all of the arguments for and noticed that they all came from MARRIED personnel. Please apply some logic instead of emotion and then look at the question one more time.