CNN: Troops Could See Lower Pay Increases

Military salaries could rise by only 1 percent in 2014, amounting to an effective decline in pay, according to the news network.

Posted Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 4:03 pm ET|Updated Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 4:04 pm ET

Secretary of Defense Leon Pannetta could recommend an effective pay decrease for military members, citing uncertainties with the federal budget, CNN reported Wednesday.

On the news network's "Security Clearance" blog, CNN said Pannetta will reccommend a pay increase of just 1 percent in 2014. That's lower than the expected Employment Cost Index, which is typically used to determine military pay increases.

In 2013, military members got a 1.7 percent pay increase based on the ECI. In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010, troops got in increase based on ECI plus 0.5 percent.

Final approval of the pay plan must be approved by Congress when it votes on the budget for 2014.

What is your reaction to the news of an effective pay decrease for troops in 2014?

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