Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 48, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the federal government allow National Guard members and military reservists who satisfactorily complete twenty years or more of military service to receive retirement benefits beginning at age fifty-five.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from State Department of Defense, the Hawaii National Guard Association, the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Armed Services Committee, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that currently, members of the National Guard and reserves with twenty or more years of service must wait until the age of sixty before receiving a pension, in contrast to members of the active military with similar service records who receive pensions immediately upon retirement. Your Committee further finds that the term "full retirement benefits" does not mean that each retiree shall receive the same amount; pensions would still be prorated based upon years of service. The intent of the measure is to avoid a reduction in the pension amount if the National Guard or reservist member retires between the ages of fifty-five and sixty.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 48, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.