Stop treating veterans like idiots

After proudly serving in the Canadian Naval Reserve for almost 43 years, I retired in April 2016 having reached the mandatory retirement age.

I had prepared for retirement by taking advantage of a buyback pension option of service time. This option was offered because pension wasn’t available to reservists until 2007. Exactly one year after retirement in April 2017, I finally received my first pension cheque.

It was $240 per month less than my twice quoted pension estimate. When I spoke to Public Works, which now administers pensions for the Canadian Armed Forces, I was informed that they had made a mistake on my quotes and they would only pay pension on my first 35 years.

They would not take into account my last eight years of service to Canada, a time when I had my highest promotions and greatest income.

Letters to MPs and ministers have had little effect and only resulted in someone from Public Works calling me to confirm that they stood by the reduced pension amount. I told them that even their website clearly states that it takes into account promotions and pay increases for those who serve past 35 years. I was bluntly told that I was wrong and given no guidance on how to proceed in my grievance.

The Naval Reserve pension is the only government pension in Canada that financially discourages and penalizes members’ loyalty in serving past 35 years.

Over my 43 years of service to my country, I gave up vacations and weekends, and there were other hardships for me and my family. Having said that, I wouldn’t have missed a minute of my navy life or done anything differently.

I just wish that our public service and government officials would stop treating veterans like idiots. Stephen J. Lamarche, Tecumseh